Entertainment
Juliet Ibrahim Shines as panelist on Clips & Conversations: Ghana’s Road to Global Expansion
Renowned Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim and global brand ambassador, left an indelible mark as a panelist at the 2023 Essence Film Festival.
The film festival is a part of the larger Essence Festival of Culture which has been celebrating African American culture in the United States for the past three decades.
This event has the largest per day attendance of any festival in the U.S. – boasting approximately 500,000 attendees over the 3 days that the event is hosted.
Juliet’s participation on the highly anticipated panel, “Clips & Conversations: Ghana’s Road to Global Expansion,” held tremendous significance for both the Ghanaian film industry and the diaspora at large.
The groundbreaking event which took place at the Essence Film Festival, on July 2nd featured the inaugural Africa House, which showcased exceptional films, talent and conversations centered around Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.
The weekend-long event was produced and curated by Ghanaian American writer/producer Ama Larbi of Essence Studios. A stellar lineup of esteemed actors, directors, and producers, including top celebrities from Ghana and Nollywood, united to explore avenues for advancing collaborative efforts towards global expansion.
The panel, expertly moderated by Vanessa Vanderpuye (British-Ghanaian model/actress), brought together industry luminaries: Esi Yamoah (producer), Juliet Ibrahim, Michael Djaba (producer/director), Chris Attoh (actor/director/producer), Angela White (producer), and Anwar Jamison (writer/director) to share their wealth of experience and insights. These influential panelists delved into their journeys of producing remarkable projects in Ghana, while also highlighting strategies to propel the industry to greater global heights.
Juliet’s inclusion on the panel added a touch of inspiration and prestige, as she is not only an accomplished actor but also a global brand ambassador representing Ghana’s film industry. Her impact as a Ghanaian actor reaches beyond geographical boundaries and personifies the essence of diversity, embracing her cultural heritage while connecting with diverse audiences through universal themes.
With each endeavour, Juliet actively breaks barriers, offering a fresh perspective on storytelling and encouraging the industry to embrace new narratives. Her relentless pursuit of excellence opens doors for aspiring talents and promotes a more inclusive and dynamic entertainment landscape.
Beyond her on-screen prowess, Juliet’s role as a tourism ambassador and creative advocate further emphasizes her commitment to promoting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience. Her passion, dedication to her craft, and enthralling performances have rightfully earned her a place among the elite talents in the film industry.
Through Juliet’s participation in the Essence Festival of Culture, the goal is to ensure that ongoing participation in this yearly event will help present Ghana’s film industry to a more global audience and help establish Ghana as a film hub/destination.
Juliet looks forward to leveraging the moment from this year’s event to continue the conversations and efforts to showcase Ghana’s extraordinary talent and potential to the world.
THE president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Mr Bessa Simon has described criticism against a donation made to the family of the legendary Yaw Sarpong as misleading and a means to tarnish their image.
According to him, GH¢500 donated to the family during one week observance wasn’t the final funeral contribution but a symbolic amount to help with refreshment during the one week observance.
• Yaw Sarpong
He told the Spectator Agoro that the Union will make a formal donation at the funeral to the icon in the gospel industry.
“Giving an amount at one week is a common practice and shouldn’t overshadow Yaw Sarpongs legacy” he added
Meanwhile others praised MUSIGA for showing solidarity, others condemned the amount, describing it as inadequate and disrespectful to the legacy of the veteran singer.
Yaw Sarpong, born in Accra, emerged as one of Ghana’s most influential gospel musicians and a defining voice in contemporary Christian music across West Africa.
Rising from humble beginnings and shaped by the political and social turbulence of post-independence Ghana, he transformed gospel music with a distinctive blend of spiritual depth, lyrical clarity, and disciplined musical arrangement.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, Ghana’s celebrated child prodigy and youngest achiever ever recorded in the Guinness World Records’ 70-year history is set to captivate audiences at the upcoming Ghana Independence Day celebrations in Beijing, China.
The Ghana Embassy in the People’s Republic of China will host series of events culminating on March 6, 2026, to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary, with Ace Liam’s artwork prominently featured.
As part of the Embassy’s cultural initiatives, an art exhibition will showcase creative works by top Ghanaian artists including Ace Liam and renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama.
The exhibition aims to celebrate Ghana’s vibrant cultural heritage and foster closer cultural ties between Ghana and China.
At just 3 years old, Ace-Liam has earned acclaim for his innovative artistic talents. His participation in the Independence Day events highlights the role of young Ghanaian artists in promoting the country’s rich culture on a global stage.
Ambassador Kojo Bonsu, during a press soiree held on February 5, 2026, emphasised Ghana’s commitment to deepening its relationship with China through cultural exchange and economic collaboration.
The planned events will also include a business forum and a fashion show by Nineteen57, blending traditional and modern Ghanaian styles.
This will be Ace-Liam’s second international art exhibition after his debut in Barbados at the GUBA Awards.
In 2025, he received an award at the UK Parliament House of Commons as a Global Child Prodigy in Arts. He was also awarded the Kid Creator of the Year at the Creators Awards Ghana 2025.
In a related development, Ace-Liam Ankrah has been recognised as a Young Achiever in the Guinness World Records Book 2026 edition, becoming the youngest achiever in the organisation’s 70-year history.
Featured in the special anniversary edition marking seven decades of global excellence, Ace-Liam joins a distinguished group of record holders and global icons such as Simone Biles, Usain Bolt, and Dolly Parton. His achievements have made a lasting impact worldwide, capturing international attention through the extraordinary power of early childhood creativity.
This latest recognition by Guinness World Records marks a defining milestone not only for Ace-Liam, but also for Ghana and the African creative community. It highlights the importance of nurturing creativity from an early age and demonstrates the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when talent is supported and allowed to flourish.
Reacting to this news, Ace-Liam’s Mother/Manager Chantelle Kuukua Eghan remarked, ‘Ace-Liam being featured in the 2026 Guinness World Records Book as a Young Achiever is a dream come true. I feel blessed and super excited to be his mother. This is not just a win for him, but a win for all kids in the world.’’
Ace-Liam’s artistic journey began at just six months old when his mother, Ghanaian visual artist Chantelle Kuukua, laid out a canvas and paints to keep him engaged while she worked on a commissioned piece.
What began as a simple moment of curiosity quickly revealed something remarkable. Within minutes, he created his first artwork, later titled The Crawl, a vibrant expression that marked the beginning of an exceptional creative path.
Edem Mensah –Tsotorme
