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
Ghanaian casting director Mawuko Kuadzi has etched his name in the country’s film history, becoming the first-ever winner of the newly introduced Best Casting Director category at the 15th Ghana Movie Awards (GMA) held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
The star-studded ceremony, which attracted a host of Ghanaian and African celebrities, saw Mawuko Kuadzi take home the historic award for his work on the film The Fisherman.
He beat fellow nominees Naomi Osei Mensah (King of Tema), Frank Rajah (Virgin of the Throne), and the duo Rawdrick Lartey Junior and Omar Krupp (Ghana Map).
The category, introduced for the first time in the awards’ 15-year history, mirrors a similar addition by the Academy Awards (Oscars) and celebrates the critical role of casting directors as the “Human Resource Managers” of the creative economy.
Mawuko Kuadzi’s win comes on the heels of groundbreaking international achievements. In 2025 and again in 2026, he became the first African in 40 years to win the prestigious ARTIOS Award from the Casting Society of America (CSA), firmly placing Ghana on the global casting map.
His international acclaim also led the Ghana Leadership Awards to create and bestow upon him the Best Casting Director honor in 2024.
Observers note that this progression sends a powerful message: when a professional consistently delivers excellence, industry bodies are compelled to take notice and create platforms to honor that contribution.
The biggest honor of the evening, Best Picture, went to Sukura, a production that also featured an executive producer in a lead role.
The film King of Tema took home the Best Editing award, while The Fisherman, which earned Mawuko Kuadzi his historic casting award also won Best Visual Effect. Several veteran actors and rising stars were also celebrated across various categories.
The red carpet at the Kempinski Hotel was a spectacular affair, drawing a who is who of Ghanaian and African entertainment.
Among the Ghanaian stars who graced the event were Fred Amugi, Jackie Appiah, Yvonne Nelson, Nana Ama McBrown, Kweku Manu, Dr Likee, Juliet Ibrahim, Salma Mumin, Hajia4Reall, AJ Poundz, Ahuofe Patri, Charly DGH, and James Gardiner.
Nigerian representation was strong, with actors Deyemi Okanlawon, Daniel Etim Effiong, and celebrated filmmaker Kunle Afolayan all walking the red carpet, underscoring the deepening creative ties between Ghana and Nigeria.
A major highlight was an emotional tribute to legendary highlife musician Daddy Lumba, veteran actress Beverly Afaglo, and Nigerian actor Alexx Ekubo, with a cross-border performance that moved the audience.
The National Film Authority used the platform to urge stakeholders to contribute to a film industry fund, signaling a push for greater financial and institutional backing for the sector
The leadership of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), present at the ceremony, praised the Ghana Movie Awards for its forward-looking approach.
“The Ghana Movie Awards is holding the fort for the creative economy,” a chamber spokesperson said. “Film is the mother industry. Any initiative that sustains the film sector multiplies jobs across the entire economy.”
With his maiden GMA win, Mawuko Kuadzi has
now achieved a rare triple: Ghana Leadership Awards honoree (2024), two-time ARTIOS winner (2025, 2026), and now the first ever Best Casting Director at the Ghana Movie Awards.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Blood Crew, a Ghanaian contemporary gospel music group based in Kumasi, celebrated its 10th anniversary in ministry with a special cake-cutting ceremony during the Grace Concert held at Gracefields Chapel, Havlah Temple, Ahodwo.
The celebration formed part of the group’s annual live recording event, ‘The Blood Effect’, which brought together thousands of worshippers, gospel music lovers, ministers, and invited guests for an unforgettable night of worship and live music recording.
The anniversary cake was officially cut by the Founder and Music Director of the group, David Nana Bonsu, popularly known as Nana Quophi, together with Rev. Simon Ampofo, shortly after the first session of live recordings featuring newly composed songs and selected old compilations.
The ceremony was witnessed by alumni members, current team members, invited gospel artistes, instrumentalists, management, and worshippers who gathered to celebrate the milestone achievement of the ministry.
The occasion marked 10 years of The Blood Crew’s contribution to gospel music ministry, worship, fellowship, evangelism, mentorship, and youth impact through music.
Members of the group used the opportunity to reflect on their journey over the years and expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the ministry and helping them remain impactful.
The event featured ministrations from UK-based Ghanaian gospel artiste Emmanuel Gyamfi, Pastor Edwin Dadson, Team Eternity Ghana, Manuel Tuffour, Joshua Ahenkorah, and Yefter Nkansah.
The group described the anniversary celebration as a moment of thanksgiving, reflection, and renewed commitment to continue impacting lives through gospel music and worship ministry.
Over the years, The Blood Crew’s annual ‘The Blood Effect’ live recording event has grown into a recognized platform for worship, spiritual impact, and gospel music ministry in Kumasi and beyond.
This year’s edition uniquely combined live recordings with the group’s 10th anniversary celebration, making it one of the most memorable editions since the ministry began.
By Spectator Reporter
