Entertainment
Samini promotes road safety at MTN Carols Night
Samini, the live music maestro and evergreen reggae-dancehall performer, who said he had just recovered from a bout of malaria, admonished Ghanaians to sustain the fight against malaria and also observe road safety measures during the yuletide.
This was when he hit the stage and took over the microphone to dish out some great tunes to the audience at the MTN Carols Night held at the Grand Arena in Accra on Friday, December 10.
In a message, which was delivered in the form of a song, Samini urged Ghanaians not to drink and drive in order to avoid accidents during the Christmas festivities. He cautioned the people to protect themselves against malaria.
After the message, he did “his own thing” with some of his popular songs in a rub-a-dub style. He increased the tempo in the arena when he ‘dropped’ his popular energetic song, “Where my baby dey” and left the audience yearning for more.
Stonebwoy and Kuami Eugene who were also on the bill took turns to dole out some thrilling performances to the audiences at the venue as well as those who patronised the show on MTN digital platforms.
Soul and highlife singer, Abiana opened the three-hour sizzling show, clad in a gleaming dark green puffy-sleeved long dress, sporting a cropped hairdo that gave her a smart look that complemented her energetic performance.
With a Christmas song, “Mary did you know?” a Ga love song and a couple of other tunes, Abiana touched the audience in an exciting way that earned her some applause at the end of her performance.
MTN Hitmaker Season 9 winner, Adepa Zela was the next artiste on the stage. Looking sharp in her brown sleeveless top and off-white skirt, perfected with sneakers, commonly known as ‘camboo’, hit the audience with some popular Christmas songs – “Joy to the World” and “Pa Ram Pa Pam Pam”. She topped off her performance with some Akan songs, “Te3 Abofo 3nne” and “Nyame ye,” which she did with a touch of rap.
The MTN Viva Voices Choir followed with a number of Carols in English and Akan. Members of the choir entertained the audience with choreographed dance moves as the conductor stole the show with his unique dance steps and conducting style.
The musical side of the show got heated up when the leader of the BHIM Nation, Stonebwoy a.k.a 1 GAD stormed the stage in a sharp black suit over a white shirt, sporting dreadlocks with the sides shaved. Song after song, he got the audience up on their feet as he got down from the stage and joined them on the floor to sing, dance and take selfies with his fans.
The last performer among the galaxy of stars on the bill, Kuami Eugene, stepped on stage in an all-white apparel and switched the show into a praise and worship session with a back-to-back medley of well-known gospel songs. He ended his performance with a couple of hits from his repertoire.
The ‘Lessons’ for the night were read by AJ Sarpong of Citi TV, Wisdom Ndukwe, Vice President of the University of Ghana Students Representative Council (SRC), Mrs. Mercy Tagoe Quarcoo, Coach of the Black Queens and Dr. Emmanuel Nii Armah Tackie, CEO of D2E Limited.
Others were Stonebwoy, Ms. Olivia Quartey, Deputy Director General for Managerial Operations, National Communications Authority (NCA), comedian, Clemento Suarez, and Barbara Kayi, Manager, Trade, Marketing, Sales and Distribution Division, MTN Ghana.
The CEO, Mr. Selorm Adadevoh in a short address said 2021 was be a year of reckoning, coming off the back of 2020, which challenged “all of us in different ways”. “The event is to celebrate and also say thank you to Ghanaians for your support through the years”.
According to the CEO, 2021 was special because it marked 25 years of MTN operations in Ghana and the event was also meant to thank God for His blessings.
MTN has, in the last few weeks, held a number of musical events to mark its 25th anniversary. The shows included the MTN Hitmaker All Stars Concert, which featured Kuami Eugene, KiDi and a host of past winners of the popular music talent hunt show, Hitmaker.
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
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
