Entertainment
From deportation to celebrity…Nana Ama McBrown shares her ‘sad’ story
McBrown
Something which could have easily broken her and shuttered her ambition forever rather propelled her to greatness today.
Not even the utterances from some members of her family when she was deported from the USA to Ghana could negatively affect her.
Touching on how she left for America, in an interview with Captain Smart on Onua TV, McBrown said, she was playing table tennis one day and her uncle who had returned from America said, she is gifted, and for this reason, he will take her abroad.
Truth to his words, he took Nana Ama Mcbrown abroad, however, something happened.
In 2001 her uncle sent for, and she got on board Ghana Airways to America, unfortunately, upon reaching there, she was deported after some days.
She said upon her return, her family did not take the situation kindly and described her as a bad child.
McBrown said she was then banned not to go to the USA again.
This made her decide to start all over again, she was not educated and needed to use her God-giving skills for a living.
One day she was crying and listening to Fox FM in Kumasi, and luckily, the host of the show, Kwame Owusu Ansah announced that Miracle Films had established a Guild at Cultural Centre and wanted people to enrol.
McBrown revealed that she quickly followed up and started as a customier with Miracle Films, and luckily for her one day, one of the actors Sellasie Ibrahim did not show up on set at Mankraso Akuapem, and she was asked to step in
Quickly she knelt and prayed to God to intervene for her, after playing the role, the comment passed by the director was not encouraging so she felt maybe it was not the best.
She was made to change and shoot another scenes, by the time everything was over, she had shot 10 scenes.
At the end of the shoot, Mr.Samuel Nyamekye who directed told her he was pleased with how she played various roles and advised her to be humble in her endeavours for she had something in her which would take her far.
McBrown said this opened doors for her acting career, and in 2008, later decided to relocate to Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
