Entertainment
COVID-19 restrictions:Will the entertainment industry bounce back?
The continuing COVID-19 crisis is undoubtedly creating enormous uncertainty and change in the running of affairs in the entertainment industry across the world.
For this reason, one of the questions with no clear-cut answer on the minds of stakeholders is, when will the industry return to normal considering the devastating effect of the pandemic?
Some players in the entertainment industry had made significant job cuts and business changes to survive the initial disruption in the COVID-19 crisis, but with the continuing restrictions, recovery will be ‘a hard nut’ to crack.
Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Ghana somewhere last year after the Ghana Health Service told a good news of drastic reduction in number of people infected it was all Joy for the entertainment industry.
All those in the value chain, ie, musicians, actors, comedians and comediennes, event organisers,movie producers, equipment suppliers, among others were confident that some of the loses made in the past, would be recouped.
As a result, they started mapping up strategies to comeback from a tough time, even though business was not as usual.
This brought some smiles to many stakeholders who were gradually getting onto the right path to take off.
Unfortunately, all of these hopes where dashed last Sunday, January 31,2021, when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 23rd COVID-19 update announced a ban on some entertainment events.
“So, fellow Ghanaians, until further notice, funerals, weddings, concerts, theatrical performances, and parties are banned,” he said.
The President further added that beaches, night clubs, and pubs continued to remain shut.
This had once again caused players in the industry to bite their fingers, as artistes, events organisers, event venue owners, and some traders in the sector would not be able to recoup revenue lost.
Though some stakeholders in the value chain have resorted to new avenues in the digital space, the revenue generation is not quite satisfactory comparable to what they used to rake.
This notwithstanding, it is becoming obvious that for companies and players in the entertainment industry to survive, there is the need to break old models and build new ones that would ensure a return to growth.
It would mean that these players need to research into the changing needs of patrons in this COVID-19 era and satisfy them, but how sustainable it would be, is another question begging for answers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Accra is set this weekend as Porials Pitch 2026 makes its highly anticipated return—an event that has rapidly evolved from a social media-driven concept into one of the country most influential retail gatherings.
Set for Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Accra Mall (Ghud Park), the festival will open its doors at 8:00 AM, drawing a mix of bargain hunters, young entrepreneurs, and lifestyle enthusiasts eager to experience what has become a defining moment on Accra’s commercial calendar.
Dulcie Boateng—entrepreneur, influencer, and CEO of Dulcie Porium—whose ability to mobilize audiences both online and offline continues to reshape the local retail landscape. Often dubbed Ghana’s “Snapchat Queen,” Boateng has leveraged her digital influence into tangible economic impact, with Porials Pitch standing as a prime example.
More Than a Market
While at first glance the event may appear to be a conventional pop-up market, Porials Pitch has steadily carved out a niche as a hybrid of commerce, culture, and community engagement. This year’s edition will feature 100 vendors, offering a curated blend of vintage pieces, emerging fashion brands, beauty products, and mainstream goods—many at discounted prices reaching up to 50 percent.
The Business Behind the Buzz
Perhaps the most telling indicator of the event’s momentum lies behind the scenes. Vendor slots for the 2026 edition reportedly sold out in just two minutes, generating approximately GH¢600,000—a figure that speaks not only to demand but also to the growing confidence in influencer-led commerce within Ghana.
A Reflection of a Changing Retail Culture
As Ghana’s urban consumer culture continues to evolve, events like Porials Pitch 2026 highlight a broader shift toward experience-driven retail—where shopping is no longer just transactional but social and immersive.
With free entry and an open invitation to the public, this weekend’s gathering is expected to draw significant crowds, reinforcing Accra’s reputation as a hub for innovation in commerce and youth-driven enterprise.
Whether viewed as a marketplace, a cultural event, or a case study in modern entrepreneurship, Porials Pitch 2026 is poised to once again capture the city’s attention—and its spending power.
Guinness Ghana has announced a new annual prize package for winners of the Album/EP of the Year category at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), as part of efforts to support the country’s music industry.
The company said beginning from the 27th edition of the awards, the winner of the category will receive a GH¢100,000 cash prize, funding support for a music video for their next project, and a curated album listening experience.
According to Guinness Ghana, the initiative is aimed at promoting creative excellence and contributing to the growth of Ghana’s music ecosystem.
Head of Media and Partnerships at Guinness Ghana, Yaa Amoah-Owusu, said the category represents the highest level of artistic work in the industry.
“The Album/EP of the Year category represents the pinnacle of artistic expression — body of work, storytelling, and sonic identity. This package is Guinness Ghana’s way of recognising excellence and investing in the future of the artist and the industry at large,” she stated.
She added that the company’s support goes beyond recognition on awards night, as it seeks to create long-term value for artistes and the wider creative sector.
Guinness Ghana, a long-time partner of the awards scheme, noted that the initiative will also help increase visibility and audience engagement for the winning artiste’s future projects.
The nominees for the Album/EP of the Year category include Black Sherif for Iron Boy, Stonebwoy for Torcher, Gyakie for After Midnight, Medikal for Disturbation II, Wendy Shay for Ready, and Kweku Smoke for Walk With Me.
Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse, Robert Klah, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely support for the music industry.
“This is an important intervention from Guinness Ghana. It aligns with our commitment to celebrate and elevate Ghanaian music, while also creating tangible support for artistes,” he said.
He added that the move highlights the importance of albums and EPs as lasting creative works.
The announcement comes ahead of the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards, organised by Charterhouse, with Telecel as headline sponsor, media partnership from TV3, and support from Guinness Ghana.
Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC is one of the country’s leading beverage companies and continues to support arts, culture, and community development in Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
