Entertainment
Ghana Music Awards-USA outlines programmes for 2021
Organisers of the annual Ghana Music Awards-USA (GMA-USA) have outlined programmes for the second edition of the scheme.
According to them, the research team had started work this January, to pave way for nominees announcement in March 2021.
“There would be a call for nomination for Ghanaian musicians based in the United State of America, and for Ghanaian artistes the research team will look out for artistes who qualify to make the cut, and present them to the academy and the board,” he revealed.
Speaking to The Spectator in an interview, the Chief Executive Officer,(CEO) of Ghana Music Awards-USA, Mr Dennis Boafo said, the nominees announcement would be made in Ghana.
He added that in all, they were looking at about 32 categories to honour hard working musicians who have excelled in the year under review, adding that Male and Female Artistes of the Year remained the ultimate.
Mr.Boafo said the main event is scheduled for 7 August 2021,at Tropicana Hotel in Atlantis City,New Jersey,United States of America
He disclosed that the three-day event would start on Friday, August 6, with a media soiree, then on August 7, a beach party, followed by red carpet and the main event.
The Sunday which is August 8, would be earmarked for other events to wrap up the awards.
Talking about challenges faced, he said, organising such events are capital intensive and difficult, due to the need to satisfy two communities, a move which calls for numerous logistics.
Mr Boafo, posited that the longevity of the scheme would go a long way to promote Ghana music to the rest of the world, and therefore called on all and sundry to support the scheme.
According to him, aside awarding deserving artistes, the scheme serves as a tool to promote Ghanaian artistes in America.
“This present avenues to take artistes on tour in America, and also serve as a bridge between Ghanaian musicians based in the USA, and those in Ghana,” he added.
Also, he said, there are opportunities to help Ghanaian artistes collaborate with other world heavyweights among others things in the entertainment industry to ensure growth.
He revealed that their exploits are not limited to music, but also reaching out to the needy in society with Samsung tablets and other learning gadgets.
GMA-USA, powered by Don’s Music Production, was launched in January, 2020 at the 915 NJ-73 MT Laurel Township, New Jersey 08054 in the United States of America.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Gospel artiste, Obaapa Christy has officially launched her annual concert, ‘Royal Praise 2026’, set to be held in Accra and Kumasi this August.
The maiden Accra edition comes off Sunday, August 9, at the UPSA Auditorium. She will be joined on stage by gospel heavyweights Empress Gifty, Celestine Donkor, Joyce Blessing, Kweku Gyasi, Uncle Ato, and Akesse Brempong.
The Kumasi edition follows a week later on Sunday, August 16, at the Church of Pentecost, Bantama.
Patrons there can expect performances from legendary Mama Esther, Broda Sammy, Ernest Opoku, Joyce Blessing, Kwame Gyedu, and Lady Prempeh.
Speaking at the launch at Alisa Hotel on June 12, Obaapa Christy explained that the event was christened Royal Praise, “because as a child of God, I see myself as royalty, same as you. We are all royals in the house of God.”
She urged attendees to embrace the ‘royal’ theme with their dress code and said the concert was meant to stay as an annual event to honour God for His works.
According to her, the event has come to stay, and called on all and sundry to support.
Obaapa Christy thanked fans and sponsors for supporting the launch and expressed optimism for more backing ahead of the main events.
Supporting artistes on the bill who attended the launch threw their weight behind the maiden edition and called on Ghanaians to throng the venues in their numbers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Fashion enthusiasts, shoppers, and industry stakeholders gathered at the A&C Mall at East Legon on Saturday as Ghanaian fashion brand, Neesa Atelier officially opened its newest retail outlet to unveil an exclusive capsule collection inspired by West Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The launch, held as an intimate ‘Sip & Shop’ experience, marked a significant milestone for the growing fashion brand as it expanded its physical presence while showcasing its latest collection, Dust & Raffia.
The collection offers a creative exploration of the cultural links between Ghana and Mali, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion design. Guests at the event were given a first look at the limited-edition pieces, which featured a hand-spun cord, raffia, jute, and Bogolan (mudcloth) elements.
According to the Creative Director of Neesa Atelier, Pamela Sarkodee, the collection celebrates the enduring connections among African communities and highlights the beauty of indigenous craftsmanship.
“This collection celebrates the stories that connect us across borders. By bringing together Bogolan, raffia, jute, and cordwork, we wanted to create pieces that honour heritage while presenting a contemporary vision of African luxury,” she said.
Throughout the event, guests toured the new retail space, interacted with the collection, and enjoyed an exclusive shopping experience that included special in-store offers. The occasion also provided an opportunity for fashion lovers to engage with the brand’s vision of blending culture, creativity, and community.
The Dust & Raffia collection draws inspiration from the textures, symbols, and traditions that have connected Ghanaian and Malian communities over generations. Through the use of natural materials and handcrafted techniques, the collection seeks to preserve cultural narratives while presenting them through modern fashion.
The new A&C Mall outlet has been designed to provide customers with an immersive shopping experience, giving them access to Neesa Atelier’s signature collections as well as future releases within one of Accra’s leading retail and lifestyle destinations.
Industry observers say the expansion reinforces Neesa Atelier’s growing reputation within Ghana’s fashion industry as a contemporary African brand committed to celebrating identity, heritage, and craftsmanship through innovative design.
The Dust & Raffia capsule collection is currently available for pre-order, with a wider public release expected in the coming weeks.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
