Entertainment
Bessa Simons is new MUSIGA President

Veteran Highlife musician, Bessa Simons is MUSIGA president. In a highly anticipated election held today under the auspices of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the veteran Highlife musician beat his only rival Ras Caleb, to become the newly elected President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).
Bessa, who had been the Acting MUSIGA president since 2008 polled a total of 324 votes, with Ras Caleb securing 66 votes.
The election, which took place in all the regions, had a good turnout of MUSIGA members who came in to exercise their rights to vote.
Members of MUSIGA Greater Accra Region cast their votes at the Accra Tourist Information Centre.
The election was expected to bring to rest all the prolonged disagreements among members of the union after the elections was postponed four times.
In earlier interview with Graphic Showbiz, Bessa Simons pledged to work tirelessly to advance the interests of musicians across the country.
His win and tenure is expected to usher in a period of innovation and growth for the organisation and the Ghanaian music industry at large.
He highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration within MUSIGA, emphasising that “together, we can achieve great strides in the music industry.”
Below is the results from various regions across the country.
Greater Accra:
Bessa Simons: 83 votes
Ras Caleb: 24 votes
Ashanti:
Bessa Simons: 53 votes
Ras Caleb: 8 votes
Upper West:
Bessa Simons: 9 votes
Ras Caleb: 2 votes
Northern Region:
Bessa Simons: 19 votes
Ras Caleb: 4 votes
Eastern Region:
Bessa Simons: 25 votes
Ras Caleb: 2 votes
Volta Region:
Bessa Simons: 22 votes
Ras Caleb: 7 votes
Central Region:
Bessa Simons: 44 votes
Ras Caleb: 10 votes
Upper East:
Bessa Simons: 16 votes
Ras Caleb: 2 votes
Western Region:
Bessa Simons: 18 votes
Ras Caleb: 4 votes
Brong Ahafo Region:
Bessa Simons: 35 votes
Ras Caleb: 3 votes
Source: Graphic.com
Entertainment
Okyeame Kwame launches “Clap Challenge” for teachers and students

Veteran Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame has announced a new initiative aimed at engaging teachers and students through music and creativity.
The award winning artiste in a social media post revealed that the “Clap Challenge” will begin this week, starting with schools across the country.
He explained that the challenge will require a teacher together with students to record a video of themselves singing his “Clap” song.
According to him, the video must be lively and engaging to stand a chance of winning.
He stated that participants must also post their videos on social media with permission from their school authorities.
They are expected to use the hashtag #clap4others and tag him on any social media platform.
He added that one teacher will be selected as a winner every week and will receive a cash prize of GH¢1,000.
He noted that the final decision on winners will be made by him.
The musician encouraged teachers and students to take part in the challenge, stressing that it is designed to promote creativity, unity and positive expression among young people in schools.
This follows a GHC100,000 support from businessman, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, who lauded the musician for composing a song which has the tendency to change society and help eschew jealousy.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Entertainment
Ghanaian actor Fred Amugi to feature in Pan-African series Kismet

Veteran Ghanaian actor, Fred Amugi, has been cast in the upcoming Pan-African television series, Kismet, where he will play the role of Chief Ademola, a wealthy and influential Yoruba patriarch.
The series, set for production in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, brings together a diverse cast ensemble from Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya, and the United States.
A statement copied to the GNA in Accra said “It forms part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration within Africa’s creative industry while positioning African stories for global audiences.”
Speaking on his involvement, Fred Nii Amugi, whose acting career spans more than four decades, described the role as a meaningful milestone.
“It is a proud moment for me at this stage of my career to be part of a Pan-African series,” he said.
“Playing a Yoruba character as a Ghanaian reflects something deeper about who we are as Africans. It reminds us that we are one people, connected beyond borders,” he indicated.
He added that his preparation for the role went beyond performance.
“As a Ghanaian of Ga heritage, I am taking time to study the historical and cultural links between the Ga and Yoruba people.
“I am learning about these connections so I can represent the character with truth and respect.”
“It is important that the world sees the shared identity that exists across our continent,” he noted.
Kismet is being developed as a high-quality thriller series with a Pan-African perspective, drawing talent from across the continent and the diaspora.
According to Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, President of the African Chamber of Content Producers and production advisor for the project, the series represents the united image of Africa that is capable of contributing to the global creative economy.
“As part of building a Pan-African creative economy, Kismet is a call for Africans to come together and tell our stories as one people.
“We are also aligning this effort with the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a strong continental market for African content,” he underlined.
The producer of the series, Paul Joegad, emphasised the global ambition behind the project.
Based in the United States, Joegad noted that the production was designed to meet international standards while maintaining authentic African storytelling.
“We are leveraging diaspora networks and global experience to create a series that resonates across cultures,” he said.
“Our goal is to produce content that can stand on international platforms through quality and strong storytelling.”
He added that assembling the right team had been central to the project’s vision. Among those involved is Mawuko Kuadzi, a Casting Society of America (CSA) member and the first African to win an Artios Award in its 40-year history.
The producers say the series seeks to position Africa as a major player in global content, fostering international Pan-African partnerships. –GNA




