Entertainment
Sarkodie to perform at private event not Olympics- France Embassy
The France Ambassador to Ghana, Jules Armand Aniambossou, has replied a human rights organization, New Ghana Social Justice Forum, who petitioned them to exclude Sarkodie from Performing at Station Afrique in France.
It was their desire to get the French National Olympic and Sports Committee and organisers of the Africa Fan Zone to ensure that the Ghanaian does not make the list.
Sarkodie has been scheduled to perform on August 9 at the Africa Fan Zone or “Station Afrique” at Stade Robert Cesar in France. The Africa Fan Zone is an independent cultural event happening at the same time as the Olympic games.
They described Sarkodie as misogynist whose appearance at Olympics Ceremony is an insult to Women.
However, in a response to the Forum, the French Ambassador noted that “I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 8th July 2024 expressing concerns regarding Sarkodie’s scheduled performance. I would like to use this opportunity to clarify that Sarkodie (known in private life as Michael
Owusu Addo) will not be performing at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
According to him, Sarkodie’s performance is scheduled to be part of the Africa Fan Zone-“Station Afrique” which will be held on 9th August 2024 at Stade Robert César-L’ile-Saint-Denis.
He added that “Station Afrique is an independent cultural event running concurrently with the Olympic games.Please note that the Embassy of France in Ghana, together with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee is firmly committed to promoting equal human rights, gender equality
and women’s empowerment in all the projects and initiatives that we are associated with.”
“We do not endorse any form of discrimination or actions that undermine these values.Thank you for your vigilance and dedication to advocating for social justice,” the letter concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Rev. I.K. Asuamah Thompson Memorial Methodist Church on Saturday hosted the second edition of the annual ‘Aseda’ musical concert, a vibrant celebration of gratitude led by the church’s Singing Band.
This year’s service also featured invited groups across the Methodist Church, whose harmonious performances added depth and colour to the worship experience.
Participating groups included the Bread of Life Singing Band, Mount Zion, Resurrection Methodist Band, Gethsemane, and St Mary’s Singing Band, among others. Their blended harmonies, rich choral interludes, and stirring renditions created an atmosphere of spirit-filled praise and collective thanksgiving.
The event brought together church members, choirs, and invited guests in a spirited celebration that blended music, scripture, and reflection, thereby reaffirming the church’s commitment to worship and communal thanksgiving.
Speaking at the celebration, the Head Pastor, Very Rev. Mrs Naana Esi Dannyame, said this year’s event focused on the theme ‘Fruit of the Lips’, drawn from Hebrews, 1 Thessalonians, and Psalm 103.
She explained that the event was designed to help the congregation deliberately reflect on God’s goodness. According to her, thanksgiving is not measured in material gifts but in the sincerity of one’s worship. “We gather to recount God’s goodness, His protection, forgiveness, mercy and preservation of life. Scripture calls us not to forget His benefits,” she said.
Very Rev. Dannyame commended the singing band and invited choir groups for leading the congregation in heartfelt worship, noting that the focus of the occasion was Christ, “who loved us and gave Himself for us.”
The President of the Christ Little Band of the church, Mr Emmanuel Addo, urged Christians to embrace gratitude as a core value in their daily walk with God.
He said the overarching theme, ‘Full of Values’, underscored the power and purpose of deliberate praise.
Mr Addo emphasised that believers were called to offer God a continual “sacrifice of praise” through Jesus Christ, describing worship as a living testimony of gratitude and devotion.
He also encouraged the congregation to let every melody and lyric magnify God and inspire unity, joy, and hope.
By Eugene Ampiaw
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UNICEF Ghana has partnered with the award-winning artist, Kuame Eugene, to release a new child-rights anthem titled “Let them shine.”
The song is aimed at commemorating World Children’s Day, which was marked on Thursday, November 20, and reinforced child rights advocacy.
The song’s release is particularly timely, coming at a critical period when children’s rights are increasingly under threat globally, making its message both urgent and essential.
The launch of “Let them shine” marks the 36th anniversary of Ghana’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Ghana is the first country in the world to ratify the convention, reaffirming the nation’s unwavering commitment to protecting every child.
Beyond the World Children’s Day celebration, “Let them shine” is designed to be a long-term advocacy tool. With Kuami Eugene’s strong influence and large youth following, the song aims to empower young people to understand and demand their rights, inspiring children and adolescents to become advocates for themselves, their peers, and their communities.
Osama Makawi, UNICEF Representative in Ghana, said: “It represents a strategic avenue to elevate child rights conversations across different platforms. Through music, a universal language, we can reach more people and mobilise communities to stand up for children.”
Kuami Eugene also shared his commitment to supporting children through his art, saying, “Lending my voice to World Children’s Day through music means a lot to me because every child in Ghana deserves the right to be felt, seen, heard, and valued.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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