Entertainment
Perez Musik lightens Kaneshie and Makola with Market Drive initiative
Reigning Male Vocal Performance of the Year and Songwriter of the Year at this year’s Vodafone Frank Nii Okai Tagoe, affectionately called Perez Musik, has successfully organised Market Drive at Kaneshie and Makorla.
The events took place from Saturday, July 22 to Saturday, July 29 at the two markets in Accra.
The goal of the initiative dubbed, ‘The Rhema in Motion’ TRIM, is to go on the streets and places of commerce to spread the gospel and meet young men and boys and provide them with skills and education.
Additionally, he partners with successful figures in society to serve as inspirations to the youth.
At the markets, Perez Musik together with his team gifted those who were able to sing any of his songs and shared the world of God with them.
Also, the team scouted some young men who had lost hope and wanted to throw their hands in despair, took their details to enroll them in their education and skill development programmes.
Speaking to the media, Perez Musik said, he has come to realise that society mostly does not pay attention to the boy-child, but he believes that “ if you are bringing the girl-child up, bring the boy-child close because if you neglect the boys, they will cause problems for the girls through social vices among others.”
According to him, it is which project creates an enabling platform to help the boy-child.
Perez Musik added that as part of the initiative, one could learn graphic designing, video editing, animation, painting, and shoe making, among others to help the boy-child desist from illicit activities.
The Market Drive forms part of the activities leading up to his annual Glorified Concert, set for August 27, 2023, at the Dominion Sanctuary of the Victory Bible Church, Awoshie in Accra, 4 pm.
Ministering together with Perez Musik on the day would be ever-green Pastor Joe Bechem and Cindy Thompson, in addition to Siisi Baidoo.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
edemenscorporate@gmail.com
Entertainment
‘Artivism’ at TGMA27: Okyeame Kwame uses gold-themed Red Carpet look to wage war against galamsey
Renowned musician and “Rap Dacta” Okyeame Kwame transformed the 2026 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) red carpet into a platform for environmental activism, making a bold visual statement against the devastating effects of illegal mining, affectionately called galamsey.
Arriving in a striking ensemble, the artiste was draped in gold colours from head to toe, complete with a matching gold-plated sword.
However, the glamour carried a somber message. Flanked by two bodybuilders who performed as figures suffering from the physical and environmental “cancers” of illegal mining, Okyeame Kwame’s appearance served as a stark contrast between the beauty of Ghana’s gold and the destruction caused by its extraction.
Speaking to host Giovanni Caleb, the musician explained that his “glittering” look was a deliberate irony intended to spark a national conversation.
“I wanted to look like gold to remind Ghanaians that while gold glitters, galamsey destroys our rivers, our rocks, our air, and our nature,” Okyeame Kwame stated.
He further emphasised that the fight against environmental degradation transcends partisan lines.
“If we glitter like this once every year and forget that it is not the responsibility of the NPP or NDC, but the collective responsibility of all Ghanaians to stop this galamsey cancer, then we have failed,” he added.
Long recognized as an ‘Artivist,’ Okyeame Kwame has a storied history of using his public platform to champion social and environmental causes.
The 2026 TGMA, while a night of musical celebration, was momentarily refocused by the Rap Dacta’s plea for the protection of Ghana’s natural heritage, proving once again that art remains one of the most powerful tools for social change.
Okyeame Kwame is currently out with new single dubbed, “Clap,” a song encouraging communal support and celebration of others’ successes.
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
