Entertainment
Fusing creative arts and climate science: Okyeame Kwame and partners spearhead climate change literacy
Okyeame Kwame shares his work on climate advocacy and justice
The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), in collaboration with the Okyeame Kwame (OK) Foundation, and Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies (C3SS), University of Ghana, hosted a conversation on Art and Climate Activism as part of the Centre’s Climate Change and Sustainability Seminar Series.
The Seminar, which took place on November 25, 2023, at the C3SS premises, represents an important step in bridging the gap between science, knowledge and practice on climate change and sustainable development knowledge brokerage using creative arts.
More than seventy graduate and undergraduate students from diverse university departments—including the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), Geography and Resource Development, and the School of Performing Arts—attended the event.
CDKN Ghana’s Country Engagement Lead, Dr. Prince Ansah, underscored that this undertaking is in line with the organization’s dedication to bridging the divide between policy and technical aspects of climate change, as well as innovative arts-based strategies for climate action.
The event’s keynote speaker was the renowned Ghanaian musician, songwriter, creative director, entrepreneur, and climate activist, Okyeame Kwame.
In his address, he placed significant emphasis on the necessity of integrating climate action into popular culture, specifically concerning climate justice and climate literacy.
Okyeame advocated for student researchers to transcend academic boundaries and employ innovative channels of communication, such as photography, social media, and virtual communication, to publicize their research outcomes.
In addition to discussing the human-caused causes of climate change, Okyeame Kwame highlighted the importance of taking simple steps to reduce emission footprints.
The musician provided practical examples, such as managing household water and energy usage, and advocated for a shift in the narrative from tree planting to tree growing, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and ownership in environmental stewardship.
In closing his address, Okyeame Kwame encouraged the participants to become volunteers for the OK Foundation.
The Director of C3SS, Professor Kwadwo Owusu, expressed his excitement about the seminar and encouraged students to become change agents. He stressed the importance of maintaining the scientific and technical foundations of climate science as tools for advocacy. He also mentioned that the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana lauded this cross-sectoral approach, recognizing its potential in enhancing experiential learning.
Dr. Yaw Agyeman Boafo, Senior Research Fellow and Programmes Coordinator at C3SS and moderator of the event, concluded by emphasising the significance of these seminars in fostering collaborative networks for sustainable climate action in Ghana and the sub-region.
He stated the C3SS’s effort to bring more activists and practitioners to present at the seminar.
Several students in attendance at the seminar recounted personal experiences and involvements in climate action within various institutions, including communities, schools, and churches. They ranged from livelihood empowerment, recycling, artificial intelligence, disaster risk management, and gender equity.
CDKN Ghana launched a climate advocacy prize in partnership with C3SS to recognise students who can develop inventive concepts that promote climate justice and literacy.
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.
