Entertainment
Celebrating Northern Ghana: ‘Roots Reimagined’ Event showcases culture, cuisine, couture
Accra came alive last Saturday night as Roots by Linnan hosted a vibrant cultural experience celebrating the rich traditions and contemporary creativity of northern Ghana.
The event brought together lovers of culture, fashion, and food for an unforgettable evening filled with heritage and style.
Guests enjoyed a stunning display of northern Ghanaian culture, featuring captivating traditional performances and a delectable array of dishes, including tubaani, wasawasa, and gable, alongside locally brewed drinks like pito and samia.
The highlight of the evening was a spectacular fashion show featuring the ‘Roots Reimagined’ collection, which offered a fresh take on Ghana’s iconic smock fabric.
Every piece, from skirts and trousers to jackets and flowing dresses, was crafted from hand-woven textiles produced by skilled women weavers in the Upper West Region.
Models strutted down the runway to the melodic sounds of a live xylophonist, creating an immersive atmosphere.
In a beautiful homage to heritage, each piece in the collection was given a northern Ghanaian name, reinforcing the deep cultural connections that inspire the brand.
“Roots Reimagined is about preserving heritage while embracing innovation,” said Perfectual Linnan Labik, Founder and Creative Director of Roots by Linnan.
“Through this collection, we honour the artistry of northern Ghanaian women and celebrate the enduring relevance of our traditional fabric in today’s fashion landscape”, she noted.
“I plan on doing this every day, using fashion, food, music, and storytelling to keep the spotlight on northern Ghana. I am also looking forward to collaborating with the government and other creatives to take this vision even further,” she added.
Ms Labik emphasised that the event was not only to celebrate tradition but also showcase the incredible talent of northern artisans and the powerful fusion of culture and modern design.
She said Roots by Linnan is a social enterprise and fashion brand founded in 2015 by Perfectual Linnan Labik.
“It partners with skilled weavers in the Upper West Region to produce authentic smock fabrics, which are then transformed into contemporary, ready-to-wear pieces that blend cultural authenticity with modern design”, Ms Labik explained.
She further added that beyond fashion, Roots by Linnan represents a movement that amplifies northern voices, supports community livelihoods, and reimagines heritage for a global stage.
By Bernard Benghan
Entertainment
Shatta Wale pulls out of Afro+ Fest 2025
The management of Shatta Wale has announced that the artiste will not be able to perform at Afro+ Fest 2025 in Washington, D.C.
In a statement, Media and Public Relations Manager for the Shatta Movement team, Samuel Atuobi Baah, popularly known as Sammy Flex, said the cancellation was due to “unforeseen logistical constraints and tight timelines” which were outside the control of both Shatta Wale and the festival organizers.
According to the statement, Shatta Wale and his team had worked tirelessly over the past weeks to make the performance possible, and the artiste was fully prepared to join his fans in Washington, D.C.
It added that Shatta Wale was “truly disappointed” to miss the moment.
It stressed that the decision was not because of any lack of effort or willingness from Shatta Wale or Afro Plus, but rather a result of challenges many artistes face when traveling internationally under evolving regulations and time-sensitive requirements.
It further assured fans that Afro+ Fest 2025 “will still deliver an incredible experience” and noted that plans were already underway to set a future date for Shatta Wale to connect with his fans in person.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Entertainment
Empress Gifty wins Artiste of the Year at the 6th Ghana Music Awards USA
Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician, Empress Gifty Adorye, has been crowned Artiste of the Year at the 6th edition of the Ghana Music Awards USA held on August 16, 2025, at ACX1 Studios in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The gospel star, who attended the event with her husband, Mr. Hopeson Adorye, also won the Gospel Song of the Year, making it a double victory on the night.
For the ultimate award, she beat stiff competition from King Promise, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Diana Hamilton, Joe Mettle, Fameye, KiDi, King Paluta, and Team Eternity.
The ceremony, which celebrates Ghanaian music talents in both Ghana and the diaspora, saw US-based Ghanaian artistes such as Jay Hover, C-Ben and Kay Rockz receive honors.
Special tributes were paid to late Highlife icons Dada KD and Daddy Lumba, while Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The night featured thrilling performances from Empress Gifty, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Kofi Kinaata, and comedian OB Amponsah.
In her acceptance speech, Empress Gifty thanked God, her fans, her manager, and the Ghana Music Awards USA organizers for the recognition.
She expressed her gratitude to radio stations, DJs, and all supporters who have stood by her throughout her career, saying: “I have a grateful heart. Thank you to everyone who voted for me and continues to support my journey. God bless you all.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
