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
Entertainment
Stonebwoy joins American recording artiste Mashanda Faust and Atlanta-based musical group
Ghanaian dancehall and Afrobeats artiste Stonebwoy has joined American recording artiste Mashanda Faust and Atlanta-based musical group Hero The Band on “Wrong Toes”, a song featured on the official soundtrack of the upcoming action comedy film Boyz Trip.
The collaboration brings together musical talents from Ghana and the United States, offering another opportunity to showcase Ghanaian music to international audiences through cinema.
The film, scheduled for worldwide theatrical release in 2027, is set in Cape Town, South Africa, and combines action, comedy and African cultural influences.
According to information released by KeyScott Entertainment, the production company behind the project, the official music video for “Wrong Toes” was filmed at Cape Town Film Studios in South Africa, under the creative direction of Warren Gray, an award-winning creative director.
The song was written by Alan Key and Faten El Sayed, with Key originating the concept and Kyle Scott overseeing its creative development and execution alongside Faust.
Stonebwoy, known for his blend of Afrobeats, reggae and dancehall, contributes his distinctive sound to the international production, which seeks to connect audiences across Africa, North America, Europe and Australia.
The song forms part of a collection of original music being developed for the film’s soundtrack through KeyScott Entertainment’s music division, which focuses on original film music, music publishing, artist development and international collaborations.
Boyz Trip stars Desi Banks, Rome Flynn, Algee Smith and South African actor Siv Ngesi.
The story follows four longtime college friends who reunite for an international vacation in Cape Town, only for their getaway to descend into a chaotic adventure after they become entangled in the dangerous world of a notorious criminal known as Le Serpent.
The film is executive produced by Alan Key and Kyle Scott, co-founders of KeyScott Entertainment, an international film, and television and music Production Company headquartered in Brisbane, Australia.
Scott also directs the film, with Autumn Bailey-Ford as lead producer and Sarsha Venord and Jamez T. serving as co-producers. Ama K. Abebrese, Lya Castillo and Shayla Hill are associate producers.
The production is planning international premiere events in Cape Town, Atlanta, London, Los Angeles and Brisbane, with further details on its theatrical distribution, soundtrack releases and promotional activities expected ahead of its 2027 launch.
Stonebwoy’s involvement in the project adds a Ghanaian musical dimension to the production’s international appeal, placing his sound alongside American performers in a film that draws on African locations and cultural influences.
By spectator reporter
The National Film Authority (NFA) on Saturday launched the Cinema Train Initiative to improve access to cinema, strengthen film exhibition and rebuild the culture of cinema-going in Ghana.
The initiative, expected to provide a common platform for film producers, distributors, exhibitors and audiences to connect and create a sustainable market for Ghanaian films.
The Executive Secretary of the NFA, Kafui Danku Pitcher who announced the initiative at the launch, said limited access to cinema facilities and exhibition opportunities remained a major challenge confronting the country’s film industry.
She noted that while filmmakers invested considerable time and resources in producing films, many of their works struggled to reach audiences because of the limited platforms available for exhibition.
” We cannot build a sustainable film industry if we produce films without creating pathways for people to watch them,” she said.
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She explained that the initiative went beyond screening films, describing it as an effort to build an ecosystem where producers could showcase their works, distributors could connect content to markets and exhibitors could attract audiences.
She further urged Ghanaians to support the initiative by purchasing tickets, watching local films and encouraging others to patronise Ghanaian cinema.
The Executive Secretary called on corporate organisations and potential sponsors to invest in the initiative, saying their support would help expand cinema access, strengthen the creative economy and connect brands with audiences across the country.
He stressed that the success of the initiative required a collective commitment from all stakeholders, adding that the NFA was prepared to facilitate the partnerships necessary to advance the vision.
NFA board board Chairman, Mr Ivan Quashigah further demonstrated the Authority’s commitment by announcing plans to purchase tickets through the platform to support films currently available for screening.
He added that the platform seeks to bring key groups in the film industry onto one track:producers, distributors exhibitors and audiences.
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