Entertainment
Methodist Bishop of Accra calls for peace at “MTN Stands In Worship 2020” concert.
The Rt. Rev. Samuel K. Osabutey, the Accra Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church has called on Ghanaians to eschew bitterness and show love to one another, especially during this electioneering period.
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic has also brought so much hardship to people around the world, which calls for mutual support.
He was speaking in a video presentation at this year’s “MTN Stands In Worship” concert, held at the Fantasy Dome in Accra and beamed live on GHOne TV and on MTN’s Facebook and YouTube platforms.
“The year 2020 has been a very tough one for us but God has given us the opportunity to meet here alive,” he said. Quoting 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he called on Ghanaians to develop hearts of gratitude and live in peace.
Patrons at the concert could not help but sing through their face masks along with the gospel giants on the bill, who kept them on their feet, song after song.
But what really hit home were the prayers and peace messages from the celebrated Joe Mettle, fast-rising MOG, award-winning Diana Hamilton and the gospel star with the silky-smooth voice, Celestine Donkor.
COVID-19 and a peaceful Election 2020 dominated the prayers and messages, and it was refreshing to see the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the revered Muslim icon, join the Christians to call for peace in a video clip, which was shown during the concert.
The Chief Imam, speaking in translated Arabic, called on Ghanaians to continue to express their gratitude to God for the peace and blessings we are enjoying in the country presently.
The eminent Islamic leader and teacher urged the people to be peaceful and tolerant before, during and after the elections, saying, “We need peaceful co-existence of all tribes and religions at all times”.
“I pray for Ghanaians to stand together for peace and I believe that God will rule in the affairs of Ghana”, said Mrs Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Director, Aglow Ghana and a former president of the Ghana Journalists Association. (GJA).
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye; Lasmid, winner of MTN Hitmaker 8 and all the artistes on the show shared messages of peace and hope with the audience at the event venue, the Fantasy Dome and all the thousands around the globe, who watched the programme live on GHOne TV and also via MTN’s Facebook and YouTube platforms.
Fast rising gospel singer, MOG opened the show with his powerful vocal performance and made way for the Celestial Evangel Choir, who shook patrons with some feet-moving and soul-inspiring tunes, including the ever-popular Akan song, Nyansa na ehia (Wisdom is all that is required).
Clad in a beautifully cut white dress with a touch of yellow, Celestine Donkor, took the microphone after the choir’s performance and filled the “house” with rounds of powerful songs. As always, her voice was simply sweet, especially when she sang Nimu na nkwa w) (In Him is life) and Eye n’adom (It’s by His grace).
MTN’s in-house choir, the ViVa Voices took their turn and hit the atmosphere with a blend of hot and mid-tempo tunes. The male and female lead singers did a solid job and whenever the two got into a duet, it was something else. Any time they took over, their performances drew shouts of ; “Show them – eh, show them – eh, show them – eh….,”
Multiple award-winning singer, Joe Mettle did not disappoint as he kept the audience on their feet with hit after hit, while he encouraged them to sing along through their face masks. When he raised his top song, “Bo noo ni”, the dome was on fire.
Impressive Diana Hamilton came on as the last act and did well to inject raw energy into the already charged show. She topped off a great performance with two of her popular sings, Mo ne yo and Adom.
The MC for the night, Eric Jeshurun, aka Jeshurun Okyere, who looked resplendent in his black and gold apparel, closed the show by asking Diana Hamilton to pray for Ghana, and that she did with a request for peace from God.
The event, which is arguably one of the popular annual gospel shows in Ghana has, in the past, attracted top gospel artistes such as Donnie McClurkin, William McDowell, Sinach, Micah Stampley, Nathaniel Bassey, Patrick Duncan, Joe Mettle, and many other gospel music giants.
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
