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COVID-19 restrictions:Will the entertainment industry bounce back?

The continuing COVID-19 crisis is undoubtedly creating enormous uncertainty and change in the running of affairs in the entertainment industry across the world.

For this reason, one of the questions with no clear-cut answer on the minds of stakeholders is, when will the industry return to normal considering the devastating effect of the pandemic?

Some players in the entertainment industry  had  made significant job cuts and business changes to survive the initial disruption in the COVID-19 crisis, but with the continuing restrictions, recovery will be ‘a hard nut’ to crack.

Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Ghana somewhere last year after the Ghana Health Service told a good news of  drastic reduction in number of people infected it was all Joy for the entertainment industry.

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All those in the value chain, ie, musicians, actors, comedians and comediennes, event organisers,movie producers, equipment suppliers, among others were confident that some of the loses made in the past, would be recouped.

As a result, they started mapping up strategies to comeback from a tough time, even though business was not as usual.

This brought some smiles to many stakeholders who were gradually getting onto the right path to take off.

Unfortunately, all of these hopes where dashed last Sunday, January 31,2021, when  President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 23rd COVID-19 update announced a ban on some entertainment events.

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“So, fellow Ghanaians, until further notice, funerals, weddings, concerts, theatrical performances, and parties are banned,” he said.

The President further added that beaches, night clubs, and pubs continued to remain shut.

This had once again caused players in the industry to bite their fingers, as artistes, events organisers, event venue owners, and some traders in the sector would not be able to recoup revenue lost.

Though some stakeholders in the value chain have resorted to new avenues in the digital space, the revenue generation is not quite satisfactory comparable to what they used to rake.

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This notwithstanding, it is becoming obvious that for companies and players in the entertainment industry to survive, there is the need to break old models and build new ones that would ensure a return to growth.

It would mean that these players need to research into the changing needs of patrons in this COVID-19 era and satisfy them, but how sustainable it would be, is another question begging for answers.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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Cuba Embassy screens ‘Inocencia’ to UG students

• Mrs. Anette Chao Garcia speaking to the students Photo Victor A. Buxton

 The Cuba Embassy in Gha­na last Friday, screened a movie titled ‘Inocencia’ (Innocence) for students and lecturers from the University of Ghana, Legon.

The event was part of ac­tivities to mark the Cuba Cul­ture Day celebrations which was attended by students and lecturers from the Spanish, French and Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy.

Other activities scheduled for the celebrations include a gathering of Cubans living in Ghana, premiering of mov­ies on Pan African TV among others.

Mrs Anette Chao Garcia, the Cuban Ambassador to Gha­na, said the movie was based on a true-life story about eight students of medicine assassi­nated based on disinformation about them in Havana, Cuba in 1871.

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The Ambassador said among other things, that the movie was to teach the students about honesty and truthfulness, no matter the circumstances.

Ms Benedicta Lomotey, the Director, Centre for Latin American Studies, UG, said the school had collaborated with the embassy on several programmess and therefore deemed it important to partic­ipate in such a historic event.

Ms Lomotey said Ghana and Cuba had similar historical cul­tural antecedents especially in slave trade and that motivated them to participate in the programme to learn more.

“This goes a long way to strengthen the cordial coop­eration and diplomacy be­tween the two countries. It also stands to strengthen the diplomacy between Ghana and Cuba.”

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Yaa Kume Kyereme, a stu­dent and Nana Serwah Bedia­ko, a National Service Person, shared their experiences with The Spectator after the event.

“We must speak out be­cause social justice is a must for all in any given society,” they stressed.

The embassy conducted a quiz to test the knowledge of students in music, sports, politics, painting, history, geography, among others with prizes given to winners.

 By Victor A. Buxton

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Merqury Quaye declares November 9 as National DJs Day

November 9 has been officially declared National DJs Day in Ghana, marking a momentous occasion for the country’s entertainment industry. 

The declaration comes from Merqury Quaye, widely recognized as the “Father of DJs” and a key figure in revolutionizing DJ culture in Africa. 

This special day is an opportunity for Ghanaians to show appreciation for DJs, who play a vital role in the nation’s dynamic music scene. 

Merqury Quaye is urging the public to share photos and stories of their favorite DJs on social media, while radio stations are also encouraged to honor DJs with on-air mentions and social media posts.

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Merqury Quaye’s influence in the DJ industry is unmatched. A true trailblazer, he has been instrumental in transforming and elevating DJing throughout Africa. His vision took root at a time when the art of DJing was still developing on the continent. 

Recognizing the power of DJs to do more than just entertain, he dedicated himself to promoting DJing as both an art form and a respected profession. 

Among his most significant contributions is the establishment of the Ghana DJ Awards. This prestigious event, which celebrates the artistry and impact of DJs, has become a cornerstone of the industry. Through this platform, Merqury Quaye has shone a spotlight on exceptional talent, inspiring DJs to achieve excellence and push the boundaries of their craft.

In addition to his work promoting DJs, Merqury Quaye is also an iconic DJ himself. His innovative mixing skills and ability to engage audiences have set high standards for the industry. 

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It’s in this spirit of dedication to the art that he initiated National DJs Day, further strengthening the culture and ensuring DJs receive the recognition they deserve.

As November 9 draws near, Ghanaians are encouraged to join in celebrating these talented music masters who have helped shape their favorite tunes and memories.

Happy National DJs Day in advance to all Ghanaian DJs, whose talent and passion continue to captivate and uplift the country’s music culture.

Source: https://www.myjoyonline.com/

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