Entertainment
Otumfuo endorses 2021 GUBA awards to celebrate Yaa Asantewaa
The King of Asante, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has endorsed the 2021 Ghana UK-Based Achievement (GUBA) awards to celebrate a centenary of the passage of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the influential warrior and Queen Mother of Ejisu, who rose to lead an Asante army against the British.
The two-day event will start with a launch in Kumasi on the 7th of November 2021.
At the launch, the Otumfuo will host a cultural durbar in Kumasi and the climax will be at the main awards in Accra on the 8th of November 2021.
At a courtesy call by the leadership of GUBA to brief Otumfuo on the upcoming event, the King lauded the initiative to celebrate a century of the resilience and the transition of Yaa Asantewaa.
Pledging to attend the event, Otumfuo said the upcoming awards would further deepen the spotlight on the Asante culture and improve Ghana’s local and international tourism drive.
Otumfuo believes that the theme ofthe 2021 awards, “Celebrating a Symbol of Courage and Resilience”, is, indeed, befitting and would recognise and celebrate the resilience of all African women in the last century.
At the meeting, GUBA Enterprise’s President and CEO, Dentaa Amoateng MBE, indicated that GUBA awardees were the modern-day representation of Yaa Asantewaa, adding, “the role of women in this pandemic throughout Africa and the world at large, has been unprecedented; most took up the mantle of leadership, and with courage and resilience, helped to steer the world back onto the path of progress.”
The year 2021 marks a centenary of the death of Yaa Asantewaa, a Queen Mother and the last African woman to lead a major war against colonial powers in 1900, where she played the role of the Commander-in-Chief of the powerful Asante Empire.
Entertainment
Shatta Wale pulls out of Afro+ Fest 2025
The management of Shatta Wale has announced that the artiste will not be able to perform at Afro+ Fest 2025 in Washington, D.C.
In a statement, Media and Public Relations Manager for the Shatta Movement team, Samuel Atuobi Baah, popularly known as Sammy Flex, said the cancellation was due to “unforeseen logistical constraints and tight timelines” which were outside the control of both Shatta Wale and the festival organizers.
According to the statement, Shatta Wale and his team had worked tirelessly over the past weeks to make the performance possible, and the artiste was fully prepared to join his fans in Washington, D.C.
It added that Shatta Wale was “truly disappointed” to miss the moment.
It stressed that the decision was not because of any lack of effort or willingness from Shatta Wale or Afro Plus, but rather a result of challenges many artistes face when traveling internationally under evolving regulations and time-sensitive requirements.
It further assured fans that Afro+ Fest 2025 “will still deliver an incredible experience” and noted that plans were already underway to set a future date for Shatta Wale to connect with his fans in person.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Entertainment
Empress Gifty wins Artiste of the Year at the 6th Ghana Music Awards USA
Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician, Empress Gifty Adorye, has been crowned Artiste of the Year at the 6th edition of the Ghana Music Awards USA held on August 16, 2025, at ACX1 Studios in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The gospel star, who attended the event with her husband, Mr. Hopeson Adorye, also won the Gospel Song of the Year, making it a double victory on the night.
For the ultimate award, she beat stiff competition from King Promise, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Diana Hamilton, Joe Mettle, Fameye, KiDi, King Paluta, and Team Eternity.
The ceremony, which celebrates Ghanaian music talents in both Ghana and the diaspora, saw US-based Ghanaian artistes such as Jay Hover, C-Ben and Kay Rockz receive honors.
Special tributes were paid to late Highlife icons Dada KD and Daddy Lumba, while Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The night featured thrilling performances from Empress Gifty, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Kofi Kinaata, and comedian OB Amponsah.
In her acceptance speech, Empress Gifty thanked God, her fans, her manager, and the Ghana Music Awards USA organizers for the recognition.
She expressed her gratitude to radio stations, DJs, and all supporters who have stood by her throughout her career, saying: “I have a grateful heart. Thank you to everyone who voted for me and continues to support my journey. God bless you all.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
