Entertainment
Adinkra carnival launched
Mas Africa in collaboration with Labadi Beach Hotel has launched the Adinkra Carnival in Accraamidst display of colour, creativity, and culture.
There was also a guest performance from Safo NP, a UK-based artist who had composed a song for The Year of Return.
Mas Africa has been involved in carnival for over the past 15 years and manages the African content in the UK Notting Hill Carnival; this attracts over two million people annually and is the second biggest carnival in the world.
They have over the years thought of bringing carnival to Ghana and in 2019 held a mini carnival parade in Kumasi for the Year of Return.
This year, they are geared up to present, the biggest carnival from December 15 to 17, 2022.
Mr. Ansel Keith Wong, the Special Guest of the ocassion and a former Chair of the Notting Hill Carnival Board and Founder of Elimu Mas Band, highlighted the origin of Carnival, the components that made up carnival, from the Masquerade, Music, Arts and innovations.
“We are looking to have artists from across the globe as well as DJs for all genres ranging from Afrobeats through Soca, highlife and dancehall right down to Amapiano,” he said.
There was a catwalk session which showcased both children and adults in spectacular costumes.
The adults had both the usual feathered costumes and some fabric costumes designed by Barbara Nyarko, Maria Joseph and Melissa Simon-Hartman of Trinidadian and Ghanaian heritage.
Textile giant, GTP sponsored Mas Africa with some fabrics to facilitate the creation of the costumes, with performances from the Winneba Noble’s Number one Masqueraders and Takoradi’s Evergreen Brass Band.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Entertainment
Prophet Atarah opens new studio, launches Atarah Praise 2025
Prophet Joseph Atarah has launched his annual event aimed at bringing believers together in an atmosphere of worship and praise.
The theme for this edition is ‘Restoration’ with the belief that patrons would be restored in the face of their challenges.
The programme will be in two parts, with the first scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom at 5pm on May 11, at Pleasant Place Church.
The Ghana edition will take place at the forecourt of Believer’s Grace Crown Ministry International, Bond Square, Adenta Barrier, at 4pm on May 25.
Prophet Atarah has paraded Piesie Esther, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Nana Yaw Asare and Mavis Asante among others for the Ghana edition.
For the UK edition, patrons will enjoy performances from Kofi Owusu Peprah, Kobby Mantey, Emmanuel Smith, and Ern Ruthy.
Speaking at the launch, Prophet Atarah said, God has been good throughout last year, and 2025 has started on a positive note.
Against this backdrop, he wants to bring believers together and, in unity, to praise God.
He said, like what happened last year, a lot of miracles will take place.
In a related development, Prophet Atarah also commissioned a new studio for rehearsals and live recordings.
This, he said, was not limited to him, but open to every musician across all genres.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Sista Afia keen on winning Highlife Artiste of the Year crown
Ghanaian music diva, Sista Afia is keen on winning the Highlife Artiste of the Year crown.
Sista Afia, the only female nominated in a category with men, had 27 successful shows,both locally and internationally, within the year under review.
This notwithstanding, she believes that the number of music releases coupled with numerous performances across the country and abroad puts her in pole position to win the ultimate.
She is of the belief that as the only female in the category testifies the level of work she put in to be amongst the men.
Sista Afia has therefore urged the board, the academy and the general public to vote for her massively to win the crown.
For the past 10 years, she has poured her heart and soul into preserving and innovating Ghana’s beloved highlife sound, weaving modern rhythms with soulful melodies that keep the genre alive in the hearts of the youth.
While trends have come and gone, Sista Afia stayed true to her roots, giving us timeless music that tells real stories, our stories.
What makes her presence powerful isn’t just her voice or her music; it’s her message. In every note she sings, there’s a quiet defiance. A reminder that women, too, can carry the legacy of highlife.
The 26th TGMA is slated to take place on May 10 at the Grand Arena.
The event will see varied performances and artistes who have distinguished themselves in the year under review rewarded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
