Entertainment
‘Black Panther 2’ first trailer unveils Marvel’s emotional return to Wakanda
Marvel is bringing fans back to Wakanda in the first trailer for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”‘
The trailer is strung together with a lyrical motif of “We gonna be alright” from Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” moving between images of Wakanda’s aquatic environments, futuristic technology and what appears to be a funeral with crowds of Wakandans dressed in white.
“I am Queen of the most powerful nation in the world, and my entire family is gone,” Angela Bassett’s Ramonda declares.
A question lingers over the trailer: who will take on the mantle of the Black Panther? A figure is seen in the hero’s suit at the end of the trailer, though it isn’t clarified who is in the costume.
The footage debuted at the conclusion of Marvel Studios’ massive panel at San Diego Comic-Con Saturday evening, introduced by a group of traditional African singers performing a fanfare for the follow-up’s panel.
Writer-director Ryan Coogler, who helmed the first “Black Panther,” then took the stage to discuss the sequel, reflecting on the death of the series’ former star, Chadwick Boseman. Boseman, who played lead T’Challa, died in August 2020 after a private, four-year battle with colon cancer.
“It’s going to be hard to follow that up, but we’ll try,” Coogler said. “It’s been five years since I was here. I sat about there and we premiered the first footage from ‘Black Panther 1,’ and sitting next to me was our T’Challa, the late great Chadwick Boseman.”
Coogler shared that Boseman was squeezing the director’s shoulder while watching the first footage. “I promise you, I can feel his hand on me right now.”
Coogler also offered some information on the sequel, saying “it goes to new places in Wakanda that we haven’t seen before and it goes to new places in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
“Black Panther” stars Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasumba and Winston Duke were then introduced by Coogler on the Comic-Con stage.
“It’s a labor of love, and I have so much gratitude to be a part of it and be able to share it with you,” Duke said of the sequel.
“It’s a blessing. We’ve all grown so much as a family, and it feels great to see you guys and honor big bro at the same time,” Wright said.
Series newcomers such as Michaela Coel, Dominique Thorne, Alex Nivilani, Mabel Cadena and Tenoch Huerta, also joined the panel. Huerta will portray Marvel Comics favorite Namor, the Submariner in the film.
“I’m excited and I’m so happy to be here,” Huerta said. “I want to say something really fast about inclusion. I come from the hood and, thanks to inclusion, I’m here. I wouldn’t be here without inclusion. A lot of kids in the hood are here looking at us dreaming to be here. And they’re going to make it! They’re going to make it!”
Coel commended the musical performance that opened the panel, stating that “It feels really special seeing the drummers and dancers. It reminded me what an honor it was to support this cast.”
Wright spoke to Variety in May about the significant impact Boseman’s passing had on the cast, stating that the new film is “an incredible honor” to the late actor.
“We honored him by committing ourselves to the story that he started, the legacy that he started with this franchise,” Wright told Variety. “And we just committed every day to working hard, no matter what circumstances we faced — and we faced a lot of circumstances, a lot of difficult situations — but we came together as a team, and we poured everything into this movie, so I’m excited for you to see it.”
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will be released in U.S. theaters on Nov. 11.
Source: Variety.com
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
The search for Ghana’s next beauty and purpose-driven ambassador kicks off Saturday, June 27, 2026, as auditions open for the historic 69th edition of Miss Ghana.
Aspiring contestants will converge at Oak Plaza Hotel, East Airport, Spintex Road, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The event will bring together young women from across the country ready to represent their regions and compete for the ultimate crown.
Organized by Exclusive Events Ghana, the pageant continues its mission to identify women who embody beauty, intelligence, leadership, discipline, and passion for community service.
The eventual winner will represent Ghana at the Miss World pageant and lead charitable projects through the Miss Ghana Foundation.
This year’s edition carries the theme “Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy”, celebrating 69 years of promoting purpose-driven leadership, cultural pride, and female empowerment.
Speaking ahead of the auditions, Inna Patty, CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana, said “For nearly seven decades, Miss Ghana has empowered young women to inspire change, celebrate culture, and represent the pride of Ghana to the world. Now, a new chapter begins. The countdown to Miss Ghana @69 is on.”
To qualify, applicants must be between 18 and 26 years old, be confident, morally upright, community-minded, and able to serve as a Ghana ambassador locally and internationally
The judges will also consider the communication skills, confidence, creativity, and personality of applicants.
Aspiring queens will have the opportunity to showcase unique talents like singing, dancing, spoken word, rap, or other creative expressions while engaging judges on national development issues.
Prospective queens are to download application forms and view full entry requirements on the Miss Ghana website.
Miss Ghana 2026 is powered by Exclusive Events Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
