Entertainment
Meeting with IGP was impressive – Van Vicker
The meeting between the police administration led by the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare and members of the creative industry continues to be lauded by many who believe it is a step in the right direction.
Van Vicker gave his thoughts on the meeting, as well as issues that were raised.
“I think it was a great initiative having the IGP or the Police authorities meet with showbiz people. I don’t think I have ever heard about that before and I don’t know if it has ever happened before but it is a great initiative which I think can lead to a lot of other things,” he stated.
We asked Van if there was a wow factor for him at the meeting and he answered that, “there wasn’t necessarily any wow element for me except that I thought it was impressive when the IGP himself said he would work on all that we have said.
“There wasn’t any definiteness to what he was saying but the fact that they were able to listen to what we had to say and to promise that in their capacity they would work on them is impressive.”
According to Van Vicker, he spoke on three issues at the meeting; entrepreneurship, volunteerism and a protocol office.
“On the protocol office, the request is that if the police can have a showbiz or entertainment desk where when celebrities, entertainers, showbiz personalities need something with regards to their work they could turn to, it will be helpful.
“It should not only be here in Accra but in the regions as well; they should be able to approach that desk and put in their request be it police cars or uniforms and it should not just restrict it to the police but extend it to other security services such as Fire Service, Immigration, Military etc.
“If we are doing a film and we need these services, we should be able to have access to them. For instance, I have been trying to shoot something with the military, they asked me to put in a letter which I did and it’s been like forever, I have not heard from them again.
“My other colleagues are trying to reach the police for similar services but they haven’t been successful,” he said.
According to Van Vicker, one of the reasons the police refuse to give services to producers is when they sometimes bring scripts that tarnish the image of the police.
“For them, it is about branding so they will not tolerate any such scripts from producers. What this means is that independent producers should go ahead and film what they want to. Truth be told no one is perfect and no institution is perfect so they should not refuse to assist.
“The other thing was entrepreneurship; if there could be some kind of incentives for showbiz personalities who are entrepreneurs, we will be creating jobs, making sure that the youth have something to do and selling Ghana to the world.
“Just as government gets investors and gives them cuts on taxes, it is the same thing I am asking for. I know it was a wrong forum for this request but I intentionally brought that up so it will fall in the right ears,” he said.
“The last thing was on volunteerism and I am saying that the police need to leverage on celebs for education to the public. I know they have their own platforms but celebs have huge following so if they can liaise with us and leverage our following, I am sure information they want to put out there will get there faster and quicker,” he added.
Finally, Van Vicker said they were expecting feedback from the police on all the issues that came up and if done, that would help them know the way forward.
Source: www.graphic.com.gh
Organiser of Ghana Music Awards (GMA)-USA has honoured Founder of Reign House Chapel, Prophet Eric Boahen Uche, for his enormous support to the music industry.
GMA-USA, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Denise Boafo, affectionately called Don, made the presentation on Sunday, October 12, at the Chapel.
Presenting the citation, Mr Boafo said Prophet Eric Boahen has been a support system for various sections of Ghana’s music ecosystem.
This, he said, has gone a long way to keep many gospel artistes in business regardless of challenges confronting the industry.
“This is in recognition of your remarkable contribution to the gospel music industry in Ghana and beyond,” he said.
He revealed that the Man of God substantially supported this year’s GMA-USA, a gesture which cannot be kept under the rug.
On his part, Prophet Eric Boahen expressed his appreciation to the organisers for the gesture.
According to him, the gesture was a motivation to him and others to continously support the cause of GMA-USA.
He charged the organisers to work assiduously to promote Ghana Music in the diaspora.
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Renowned Ghanaian music heavyweight, Empress Gifty, has dedicated her seven awards won in 2025 to President John Dramani Mahama.
The musician and her management, led by Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, together with her husband, Mr Hopeson Adorye, called on the President at the Jubilee House on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Empress Gifty, in her remarks, said the visit was to officially congratulate the President, who has been a father figure for her for many years, and also update him on successes chalked in her career.
She thanked the President for his guidance over the years and promised to even do better in the years ahead, as she prepares to release her new song for the year.
The gospel musician also appealed to President Mahama to consider building a large seating auditorium for the creative arts industry.
She appealed to the President for a 10,000 to 30,000 large seating auditorium to improve the fortunes of the creative sector when it comes to events in the country.
This, she said, would go a long way to help the sector flourish and position the country for other international events in the future.
Additionally, she urged the President to ensure the creative sector gets substantial allocation in the next budget.
The President, on his part, thanked Empress Gifty, who he calls his daughter, and the team for the visit, expressing how proud he was of her growth.
Again, he charged her to continuously work even harder for more laurels.
President Mahama pledged his commitment to the growth of the creative arts industry, adding that with regard to a large seating auditorium for the space, he has received some designs and suggestions for a convention centre which are under consideration.
According to him, once suggestions were approved and issues of funding are addressed, this would serve a multipurpose function and host many activities throughout the year.
The President further pledged his unflinching support for the creative arts sector and assured of budgetary support in the years ahead.
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