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
Multiple award-winning dancehall artiste Emmanuel Andrew Samini popularly known as Samini is set to return to his Dansoman base with the much-anticipated Samini Experience on December 24.
The musician, who has nurtured top talents from the community in the past, says this year’s edition will be held in collaboration with the Dansoman Homecoming Carnival, to make the event bigger.
Speaking to the media at Kegali Hotel during a press launch on Friday, October 16, Samini said activities including a clean-up exercise, health walk, Children’s Day and games will take place from December 18 ahead of the main event.
According to him, the choice of Dansoman is to give back to the community where it all started.
He added that the event was also aimed at nurturing future talents by giving them a platform to showcase their abilities.
He disclosed that some music legends from Dansoman and other big names in the music industry will be on the bill to thrill patrons.
Samini also revealed that the Dansoman Exhibition streets will be blocked to make way for the unforgettable night of music.
He expressed appreciation to the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly for their collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Ghanaian musician Darlington Agyekum, popularly known as Dr Cryme, says he believes leadership is about making a lasting impact rather than holding office.
In an interview after graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Studies at the Methodist University’s 2026 graduating class, Dr Cryme reflected on his student leadership journey and highlighted some of the initiatives he spearheaded while serving the university community.
“I always say this position is not a possession. People will come and go, but how you made a mark and who you helped is what we’re here for and how we’ll be remembered. Do your best, let God handle the rest,” he stated.
The rapper, who served as SRC President for the 2025/26 academic year, said his administration championed inclusiveness across the university’s three campuses under the motto, “For us, by us.”
“My motto, ‘For us, by us,’ brought inclusiveness and familiarity with all three campuses together in common goals and activities like education, health, sportsmanship and debates, which all projected the school to higher grounds and above,” he said.
According to him, the vision brought students together while strengthening unity and raising the profile of the university. He also served as a Council Member, Head of Entertainment and a face and brand ambassador for Methodist University Ghana.
Dr Cryme recounted that he was SRC President when the university celebrated its 25th anniversary and said his administration also revamped a legacy canteen project while improving seating facilities for students in classrooms and recreational areas.
He further disclosed that his administration introduced VOMUG (Voice of Methodist University Ghana), a communication platform designed to improve the dissemination of information through emails, bulk SMS, flyers and audio-visual content.
“I enhanced sitting materials for students both in the classrooms and outside for leisure and socialising. I also introduced VOMUG, which has helped in the dissemination of information through email, bulk SMS, flyers and audiovisuals, just to mention a few,” he added.
Although he and his team received citations from the university’s Tema administration in recognition of their service, Dr Cryme was quick to credit the wider university community for the achievements.
“Although we were presented with citations, myself and my team, by the administration in Tema, all these milestones wouldn’t have been attained without the support, involvement and indulgence of the beautiful people and stakeholders of Methodist University Ghana,” he said.
Beyond his academic achievement, Dr Cryme also announced that he has released a new single titled “Heat.”
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