Entertainment
Twitter partners Afrochella 2021
Since 2017, the Afrochella Festival has offered an important platform for patrons to celebrate Africa’s diverse culture and the vibrant work of African creatives & entrepreneurs.
And to arouse the interest of the merrymakers about this year’s edition, social networking service Twitter has announced a partnership with Afrochella to use its platform as the go-to for all information about the festival.
The announcement coincides with the roll-out of a new Afrochella Hashmoji and GIF, which can be activated by Tweeting #Afrochella, #Afrochella2021 and #Afrochella21.
The partnership involves Twitter providing real-time, beat-by-beat coverage of activities, driven by the vibrant African and Diasporan communities expected to bring colour to the festival. This marks Twitter’s first in-country activity since announcing that it was setting up operations in Ghana.
Festival activities Twitter and Afrochella are expected to collaborate on will include a series of #AfrochellaSpaces hosted by Twitter Spaces; an exciting new product that allows live audio conversations on Twitter.
The Spaces will host artists performing at the festival and will provide an opportunity for them to connect and interact directly with fans.
There will also be a Twitter Music Panel Discussion at the Afrochella Music Museum; a curated experience that will take the audience on a journey through the past and into the future with live performances, art installations, digital and printed imagery, as well as on-site activations at the festival.
According to Senior Director, Product Management and Initiative Driver of Twitter’s Global Participation programme, Uche Adegbite, the partnership represents a unique opportunity to share in the richness of Afrochella which promotes diverse peoples, cultures and perspectives.
“We understand that Twitter is a reflection of what’s happening; so by leveraging products like Spaces, we will support and be part of trending Afrochella conversations. And with the recently launched custom Emoji and GIF, we are excited to bring the festival to life for thousands across Ghana, the wider continent and beyond,” he said.
In a statement, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Culture Management Group, organisers of Afrochella, Abdul Karim Abdullah said, “We couldn’t be more excited to have Twitter on board as partners to deliver an unforgettable Afrochella experience this year.
“Together, we will encourage the further advancement and awareness of Africa’s homegrown talent in music, art, fashion, and food.”
Afrochella Festival
Afrochella is an annual Ghanaian music and experiential festival that showcases the vibrant work of African creatives & entrepreneurs.
With representation from diverse cultures across the continent, Afrochella is designed to elevate and highlight thriving millennial talent in Africa.
The festival similarly aims to teach, explain and explore cultures through a pioneering approach; combining art, creative activations, premium continental cuisine, and African music.
This year’s event is slated for Tuesday, December 28, with performances from Wizkid, Kojo Antwi and Stonebwoy. Other activities for the night will be African Fashion Night Out, Amapiano & Brunch, Afrochella Talks, and a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Source: graphic.com.gh
The 10th Ghana Beauty Awards, dubbed The Legacy Ball, was held successfully on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Adesa Pavilion, Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra.
The event, organised by MakeUp Ghana, honoured deserving players in the beauty and wellness industry under the theme “10 Years of Impact: The Legacy Era.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, called for increased investment, skills development and stronger partnerships to unlock the full potential of the sector.
She said the industry can create jobs, empower women and young people, promote local products and strengthen Ghana’s creative economy and tourism appeal.
The founder of the awards, Rebecca Donkor, said the awards have grown beyond recognition to become a catalyst for industry development.
She described the night as a celebration of 10 years of vision, courage, advocacy and transformation of an industry that touches millions of lives globally.
Donkor said the industry needed standards, structure, professional training, certification, business support, investment and a stronger voice, and the awards evolved to meet those needs.
She cited the 2018 standardisation project with the Ghana Standards Authority, the development of a Code of Conduct, and work with the Commission for TVET to introduce the first-ever Makeup Artistry qualifications at Levels 3 and 4, and subsequently the HND.
Other speakers, including Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim, CTVET Director-General Dr. Zakaria Sulemana, and Prof. Edmond Delle, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, called for stronger standards, professional training, consumer safety and promotion of Made-in-Ghana beauty products.
The celebration also featured the launch of the inaugural Ghana Beauty and Wellness Report and the commissioning of the Ghana Beauty and Wellness Index in collaboration with the University of Ghana.
On the night, Mrs. Wilhermina Zinentah, CEO and Founder of Feel Natural, received Special Recognition for Hospitality, while Reviv Ghana Limited was recognised for Aesthetics and Wellness.
Honorary Awards went to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Hajia Safia Alhassan Andani of Pagsung Cosmetics, Madam Sarah Afia Brago Adomako of S-Nash Beauty Care, Madam Jocelyn Prempeh of Sterling Links Enterprise, Madam Yvonne Mills of J’Nissi Skin Repair & Laser Centre.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Mrs. Doreen Thomas Manieson, Founder and CEO of X’el School of Cosmetology, and Mrs. Joyce Fahene Acquaye, Founder and CEO of Fasti Body and Hair Care.
Promising Makeup Artist went to Felicia Boadu (Melashades), Promising Nail Technician to Victoria Ocran (Jane’m Salon), Women Economic Empowerment Award to Nguvu Shea Care, Commercial Photographer to Michael Koku Assenyoh (Kokuvi), and People’s Choice to Faruza Yakubu (FYGLAM).
Makeup Artist of the Year was shared by Ida Osei Tutu (Idazzle Beauty) and Chelsea Ogbonna (Chelsea Blaq). Best Celebrity Makeup Artist (Female) went to Elemi Quincy (Quincy Blaq) and Best Celebrity Makeup Artist (Male) to Vinyo Dennis Selassey (Denni Makeover).
Stephanie Kukua Plange (Makeup by Plange) won Best Bridal Makeup Artist (Traditional Wedding), while Vincentia Ocloo (Viola Beauty) won Best Bridal Makeup Artist (White Wedding). Best Editorial Makeup Artist (Female) went to Ekay Gabriel (Ziva by Ekay) and Best Editorial Makeup Artist (Male) to Judah Nhyira Odei (Judahs Makeover). Ralph Quam (Mr Quamz) won Best Special Effects Makeup Artist.
Other distinguished individuals also won awards and other recognitions for their contribution to the beauty industry.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Okyeame Kwame’s long-held dream and advocacy for the honouring of Ghanaian heroes has come to pass following the Bank of Ghana’s unveiling of new cedi notes honouring some of the country’s outstanding heroines.
The rapper has consistently argued that a nation that does not honour her heroes will have no, or few, young heroes.
The new notes, which feature prominent men and women, honour three distinguished Ghanaian women:
Agnes Oforiwa Tagoe-Quarcoopome (GH¢1 Note), a pioneering textile trader and market queen from Makola Market who inspired generations of women entrepreneurs and built early confidence in formal banking.
Justice Annie Ruth Jiagge (GH¢10 Note), Ghana’s first female High Court judge in 1961, former President of the Court of Appeal, and a global human rights campaigner who helped draft the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Theodosia Okoh (GH¢50 Note), The iconic designer of Ghana’s national flag.
Seeing the honour done to the heroines, Okyeame Kwame said he felt fulfilled with his advocacy.
The musician appears to be on a trajectory to show gratitude to others through his music. Earlier this year, he released “Clap,” a family-friendly reggae song with the chorus, “learn to clap for others, Pa Pa Pa.”
He followed it with a new song, “Ayekoo (Big Up),” released on September 21, which also marked Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday.
Ayekoo in the Akan language means congratulations. On the song, Okyeame Kwame rides a dancehall beat with lyrics and cadence that eulogise great men and women who have contributed to Ghana’s national development.
The personalities celebrated are drawn from politics, sports, entertainment and traditional leadership, among others.
The combination of wordplay and metaphoric delivery shows how seasoned the rapper is without having to say it. The song was produced by legendary producer Gomez Beats.
The chorus is a smooth yet attention-grabbing melody that drives home the message through repetition: “big up, big up, big up, bibibibi, big up, big up, big up,” calling on the listener to reply, “Ayekooo.”
Jah Lead, the Afro-dancehall artiste who captured the hearts of Ghanaians with his hit song “Lonely,” was carefully picked to deliver the chorus, as Okyeame Kwame explained in an interview.
The song goes beyond entertainment. It is a culturally relevant audio-visual piece that is expected to capture many hearts.
Okyeame Kwame’s values are drawn from the ethos of his environment, but what stood out in the song was the recognition of five women who contributed to Ghana’s fight during the struggle for independence and others who became formidable leaders post-independence.
Names like Naa Dedei Aryeetey, Mabel Dove Danquah, Susanna Al-Hassan, Ama Nkrumah and Theodosia Okoh were mentioned and praised appropriately.
He has also released a video which serves as an augmented reality of the whole experience, with colourful culture on full display.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
