Entertainment
Okbell Majdoub – transforming local jute bags into fashionable products
Has someone ever considered wearing an outfit and accessories made from recycled jute sacks? Well, that is what Madam Okbell Majdoub and her company, J’Karta, stand for.
She and her production team had spent the last one-and-half-years collecting jute sacks and transforming them into fashionable products such as bags, shoes, purses, slippers and shirts for men and women.
Madam Majdoub, interacting with The Spectator recently, said there had been positive response to the products in Ghana and other African and European countries.
She said that the company had so far left its footprints in Ivory Coast, Liberia, the United Kingdom, as efforts were being made to gain more local and international recognition through their quality products.
She indicated that, her outfit had embraced the concept of “sustainable fashion” where clothing was designed and manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner.
Madam Majdoub noted that J’Karta, in 2021 and beyond, was focusing on new and “functional designs” to meet the growing demand of clients.
“We are not just producing because we have to use recycled products. We are ensuring that standards are met to make the consumers feel comfortable while wearing our finished product.”
She admitted that procuring the jute sacks was quite tedious but it could be made easier when more private entities ventured into the manufacturing of such sucks.
Touching on the production processes, the Chief Executive Officer explained that the team relied on quality jute sacks and did adequate sorting to determine the type of product that would be ideal for use.
“The process may be challenging but our prices are not determined by what we do. Our products are affordable and we are looking forward to producing the best and help promote Made-in-Ghana products,” she added.
Madam Majdoub said that she was opened to collaboration from government and non-governmental agencies, to help create employment and develop the skills of local artisans to meet international standards.
By Ernest Nutsugah
Entertainment
TGMA unveils nominees this Saturday
The air is electric in Ghana’s music scene as the long-anticipated nominee announcement for the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) is nearly here.
Music lovers should mark their calendars for Saturday, March 15, when the nominees will be revealed live on TV3 and across the Ghana Music Awards official social media channels.
This year’s nominations promise to be some of the most competitive yet. After weeks of submissions and meticulous deliberations, music fans across the country will finally learn which artists and groups will be contending for the highly coveted awards.
The Road to the Nominees Announcement
It all began on January 21, 2025, when nominations officially opened for the TGMA. Artists and groups had until 16th February to submit their works released between January 1, and December 31, 2024.
The response was nothing short of phenomenal, with over 1,500 entries pouring in from more than 130 talented artists and groups—a true testament to the dynamic and ever-growing nature of Ghana’s music industry.
The Deliberation Process
Once the deadline passed, an expert panel of industry insiders and stakeholders rolled up their sleeves for the daunting task of sifting through the entries.
The review process was thorough, with each submission evaluated based on a set of specific criteria to ensure only the most deserving artists and groups made it onto the shortlist.
The final selections were validated by the TGMA board and key industry players, ensuring transparency and fairness every step of the way.
The Big 5 Categories: The Showstoppers
While every category brings its own set of thrills, the Big 5 awards are the ultimate crown jewels. These prestigious categories will be revealed live on TV3 on Saturday, 15th March, it includes; Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Telecel Most Popular Song, New Artiste and Artiste of the Year.
The Telecel Ghana Music Awards: Celebrating Excellence
The Telecel Ghana Music Awards play an essential role in showcasing and celebrating the best of Ghana’s musical talent. By recognizing excellence, the awards inspire artists to reach new creative heights while fueling the growth of the industry.
They also serve as a unifying force, bringing together artists, industry leaders, and music lovers in a shared celebration of Ghanaian music.
With Ghana’s top artists and groups battling it out for the prestigious honors, the anticipation is at an all-time high. As the music industry continues to evolve, the TGMA remains a true benchmark of excellence.
Entertainment
Ghana need industry bank to fund talents — Rocky Jigga
Ghanaian UK-based afrobeat singer, Emmanuel Rocky Gyeniaw Jnr known in entertainment circles as Rocky Jigga has expressed the need for an industry bank to fund talents.
According to him, this will help Ghanaian musicians to compete effectively with their foreign counterparts.
Rocky Jigga believes that many talented musicians have coiled back into their shells due to funding challenges.
“There’s more room for improvement. The industry needs more investors from both the government and private sector at large. We need an industry bank that funds talents, events and everything entertaining,” he said.
Rocky Jigga recently released ‘Slow Down,’ featuring Ball J.
The song which came with its video was produced by B Boat and it emphasised a man’s preference for an ideal woman irrespective of the size.
