Entertainment
Aklerh ready to take over the world with Dancehall Queen EP
Fast-rising Ghanaian McKenzie Aklerh Zebulun Ocansey has expressed her readiness to take the Dancehall space by storm.
Aklerh said she has what it takes to move the Ghanaian dancehall space to global prominence.
She made this revelation during her Dancehall Queen EP listening held last Friday at The Backyard in East Legon.
The six-track EP is made up of songs like, Dancehall Queen, “Odo,” “Bra (Gbodom),” “Kingman Ting,” and “Body Good” ft Yaw Grey.
Produced by Cashtwo and Jeph Green, the songs are a blend of her personal experiences and that of others.
Touching on her Dancehall Queen, she said her return from Nigeria was the turning point in her career, even though music had always been her childhood dream.
According to her, she encountered problems in her relationship, so upon reflection one day, her father, Ahuma Ocansey, known in the creative arts space as Daddy Bosco advised her to put what she was going through into music which she obliged.
She then followed him to Raskuuku’s EP listening and after performing, she got a wake-up call, an inspiration which birthed her Dancehall Queen EP.
She said without her label’s support, this dream would not have come to pass.
Against this backdrop, she expressed her appreciation to her label, Revolution Records and her father for their support as well as her colleagues.
Listen to the EP below
https://album.link/DancehallQueen
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Gospel artiste, Obaapa Christy has officially launched her annual concert, ‘Royal Praise 2026’, set to be held in Accra and Kumasi this August.
The maiden Accra edition comes off Sunday, August 9, at the UPSA Auditorium. She will be joined on stage by gospel heavyweights Empress Gifty, Celestine Donkor, Joyce Blessing, Kweku Gyasi, Uncle Ato, and Akesse Brempong.
The Kumasi edition follows a week later on Sunday, August 16, at the Church of Pentecost, Bantama.
Patrons there can expect performances from legendary Mama Esther, Broda Sammy, Ernest Opoku, Joyce Blessing, Kwame Gyedu, and Lady Prempeh.
Speaking at the launch at Alisa Hotel on June 12, Obaapa Christy explained that the event was christened Royal Praise, “because as a child of God, I see myself as royalty, same as you. We are all royals in the house of God.”
She urged attendees to embrace the ‘royal’ theme with their dress code and said the concert was meant to stay as an annual event to honour God for His works.
According to her, the event has come to stay, and called on all and sundry to support.
Obaapa Christy thanked fans and sponsors for supporting the launch and expressed optimism for more backing ahead of the main events.
Supporting artistes on the bill who attended the launch threw their weight behind the maiden edition and called on Ghanaians to throng the venues in their numbers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Fashion enthusiasts, shoppers, and industry stakeholders gathered at the A&C Mall at East Legon on Saturday as Ghanaian fashion brand, Neesa Atelier officially opened its newest retail outlet to unveil an exclusive capsule collection inspired by West Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The launch, held as an intimate ‘Sip & Shop’ experience, marked a significant milestone for the growing fashion brand as it expanded its physical presence while showcasing its latest collection, Dust & Raffia.
The collection offers a creative exploration of the cultural links between Ghana and Mali, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion design. Guests at the event were given a first look at the limited-edition pieces, which featured a hand-spun cord, raffia, jute, and Bogolan (mudcloth) elements.
According to the Creative Director of Neesa Atelier, Pamela Sarkodee, the collection celebrates the enduring connections among African communities and highlights the beauty of indigenous craftsmanship.
“This collection celebrates the stories that connect us across borders. By bringing together Bogolan, raffia, jute, and cordwork, we wanted to create pieces that honour heritage while presenting a contemporary vision of African luxury,” she said.
Throughout the event, guests toured the new retail space, interacted with the collection, and enjoyed an exclusive shopping experience that included special in-store offers. The occasion also provided an opportunity for fashion lovers to engage with the brand’s vision of blending culture, creativity, and community.
The Dust & Raffia collection draws inspiration from the textures, symbols, and traditions that have connected Ghanaian and Malian communities over generations. Through the use of natural materials and handcrafted techniques, the collection seeks to preserve cultural narratives while presenting them through modern fashion.
The new A&C Mall outlet has been designed to provide customers with an immersive shopping experience, giving them access to Neesa Atelier’s signature collections as well as future releases within one of Accra’s leading retail and lifestyle destinations.
Industry observers say the expansion reinforces Neesa Atelier’s growing reputation within Ghana’s fashion industry as a contemporary African brand committed to celebrating identity, heritage, and craftsmanship through innovative design.
The Dust & Raffia capsule collection is currently available for pre-order, with a wider public release expected in the coming weeks.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
