Entertainment
Twitter partners Afrochella 2021
Since 2017, the Afrochella Festival has offered an important platform for patrons to celebrate Africa’s diverse culture and the vibrant work of African creatives & entrepreneurs.
And to arouse the interest of the merrymakers about this year’s edition, social networking service Twitter has announced a partnership with Afrochella to use its platform as the go-to for all information about the festival.
The announcement coincides with the roll-out of a new Afrochella Hashmoji and GIF, which can be activated by Tweeting #Afrochella, #Afrochella2021 and #Afrochella21.
The partnership involves Twitter providing real-time, beat-by-beat coverage of activities, driven by the vibrant African and Diasporan communities expected to bring colour to the festival. This marks Twitter’s first in-country activity since announcing that it was setting up operations in Ghana.
Festival activities Twitter and Afrochella are expected to collaborate on will include a series of #AfrochellaSpaces hosted by Twitter Spaces; an exciting new product that allows live audio conversations on Twitter.
The Spaces will host artists performing at the festival and will provide an opportunity for them to connect and interact directly with fans.
There will also be a Twitter Music Panel Discussion at the Afrochella Music Museum; a curated experience that will take the audience on a journey through the past and into the future with live performances, art installations, digital and printed imagery, as well as on-site activations at the festival.
According to Senior Director, Product Management and Initiative Driver of Twitter’s Global Participation programme, Uche Adegbite, the partnership represents a unique opportunity to share in the richness of Afrochella which promotes diverse peoples, cultures and perspectives.
“We understand that Twitter is a reflection of what’s happening; so by leveraging products like Spaces, we will support and be part of trending Afrochella conversations. And with the recently launched custom Emoji and GIF, we are excited to bring the festival to life for thousands across Ghana, the wider continent and beyond,” he said.
In a statement, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Culture Management Group, organisers of Afrochella, Abdul Karim Abdullah said, “We couldn’t be more excited to have Twitter on board as partners to deliver an unforgettable Afrochella experience this year.
“Together, we will encourage the further advancement and awareness of Africa’s homegrown talent in music, art, fashion, and food.”
Afrochella Festival
Afrochella is an annual Ghanaian music and experiential festival that showcases the vibrant work of African creatives & entrepreneurs.
With representation from diverse cultures across the continent, Afrochella is designed to elevate and highlight thriving millennial talent in Africa.
The festival similarly aims to teach, explain and explore cultures through a pioneering approach; combining art, creative activations, premium continental cuisine, and African music.
This year’s event is slated for Tuesday, December 28, with performances from Wizkid, Kojo Antwi and Stonebwoy. Other activities for the night will be African Fashion Night Out, Amapiano & Brunch, Afrochella Talks, and a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Source: graphic.com.gh
The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
