Entertainment
COVID-19 restrictions:Will the entertainment industry bounce back?
The continuing COVID-19 crisis is undoubtedly creating enormous uncertainty and change in the running of affairs in the entertainment industry across the world.
For this reason, one of the questions with no clear-cut answer on the minds of stakeholders is, when will the industry return to normal considering the devastating effect of the pandemic?
Some players in the entertainment industry had made significant job cuts and business changes to survive the initial disruption in the COVID-19 crisis, but with the continuing restrictions, recovery will be ‘a hard nut’ to crack.
Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Ghana somewhere last year after the Ghana Health Service told a good news of drastic reduction in number of people infected it was all Joy for the entertainment industry.
All those in the value chain, ie, musicians, actors, comedians and comediennes, event organisers,movie producers, equipment suppliers, among others were confident that some of the loses made in the past, would be recouped.
As a result, they started mapping up strategies to comeback from a tough time, even though business was not as usual.
This brought some smiles to many stakeholders who were gradually getting onto the right path to take off.
Unfortunately, all of these hopes where dashed last Sunday, January 31,2021, when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 23rd COVID-19 update announced a ban on some entertainment events.
“So, fellow Ghanaians, until further notice, funerals, weddings, concerts, theatrical performances, and parties are banned,” he said.
The President further added that beaches, night clubs, and pubs continued to remain shut.
This had once again caused players in the industry to bite their fingers, as artistes, events organisers, event venue owners, and some traders in the sector would not be able to recoup revenue lost.
Though some stakeholders in the value chain have resorted to new avenues in the digital space, the revenue generation is not quite satisfactory comparable to what they used to rake.
This notwithstanding, it is becoming obvious that for companies and players in the entertainment industry to survive, there is the need to break old models and build new ones that would ensure a return to growth.
It would mean that these players need to research into the changing needs of patrons in this COVID-19 era and satisfy them, but how sustainable it would be, is another question begging for answers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghanaian gospel dynamo, Piesie Esther, has expressed her readiness to take home the Gospel Artiste of the Year, Telecel Most Popular Song of the Year and Traditional Gospel Song of the Year awards at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
The musician with many years of success under her belt in the gospel music industry has been nominated for three categories at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
Piesie Esther was nominated for Gospel Artiste of the Year, Traditional Gospel Song of the Year, and Most Popular Song of the Year with her smash hit, Nyame Ye.
The award-winning musician believes that she had a wonderful year in 2025, which deserves recognition.
According to her, with over 36 shows, millions of streams enjoyed by her Nyame Ye song, coupled with numerous brand engagements, she was in a pole position to outwit other competitors.
“Family, I need your love and support now more than ever! I’ve been nominated at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards and we’re going all out for the win! ,” she noted.
She called on all and sundry that “Every single vote counts, and I truly appreciate your continuous support. Let’s do this together.”
This year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards is slated for May 9, 2026 at the Palms Convention Centre in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Patrons at +233 Bar and Lounge had an unforgettable experience at the OK@50 All White Birthday Party last Saturday, April 18.
The Ghanaian music icon, Okyeame Kwame, turned 50 years last Friday, April 17, 2026.
Against this backdrop, the ‘Rap Dacta’ organised an All-White Party on Saturday to mark his 50th birthday to raise funds for the construction of a Paediatric Emergency Ward at the Manhyia Hospital.
This is a legacy project the musician is embarking on to mark his 50th birthday.
As part of the concert, patrons were treated to scintillating live performances by Afriyie Wutah, Akwaboah, Sista Afia, Kuami Eugene, KiDi, Kwabena Kwabena, Ras Kuuku, Abiana, Adina, Abochi, Kweku Darlington, and Kunta Kinte of Bradez fame.
One of the country’s finest DJs, Andy Dosty, also had his turn to mesmerise the patrons with hits from the past to present, a moment which saw many patrons on their feet for most of the time.
Okyeame Kwame rocked the gathering with numerous hits from his repertoire, including his new song dubbed ‘Clap.’
He also expressed appreciation to those who has genuinely supported his career to impact the lives of others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
