Entertainment

Ghana Reads Initiative, Community Water & Sanitation Agency observe World Water Day

Director of Education Shai Osudoku District, Ms Harriet Lomotey (fourth from right), National Director of Ghana Reads Initiative,

Mr Albert Koomson( 2nd from right) in a group picture with other executives after the program

Ghana Reads Initiative in collaboration with Community Water and Sanitation Agency have marked this year’s World Water Day with a short ceremony at Mount Zion Presby Church, Dodowa.

It was celebrated under the theme ‘Leveraging water for peace.’

The day is celebrated on March 22 to create awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

It also focuses on the challenges faced by water bodies and the actions taken to tackle global water crisis.

In an address, the Director of Education, Shai Osudoku District, Ms Harriet Lomotey said it was necessary to mark the day to create awareness on the need to take issues about freshwater seriously and the importance of conserving water bodies.

“We have to make sure that we access drinking water. It is our human right to access good drinking water and we must also use water as a tool to create a peaceful world for all,” she said.

She said in order to create a peaceful world for all, there was the need for a good driven approach such as working together to ensure that everyone had a safe and clean drinking water.

Ms Harriet stressed on the need to conserve water bodies in order to promote peace because the shortage or pollution of water can bring about conflicts.

The National Director of Ghana Read Initiative, Mr Albert Koomson explained that, the sole responsibility of the group was to imbibe in children the ability to read extensively and not only when they are about to write examinations.

He pointed out that ‘Galamsey’ (illegal mining) was a major activity destroying water bodies, making it difficult to access clean water for domestic use.

There were poetry recitals and cultural displays by the students of the Dodowa Presby ‘B’ Basic School.

By Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon

Entertainment

Ghanaian screenwriter Osarfo Anthony appointed as a judge for US Presidential Service Center Film Festival

Renowned Ghanaian screenwriter and entertainment journalist, Osarfo Anthony, has been appointed as a judge for the 2024 US Presidential Service Center (USPSC) Film Festival.

Osarfo expressed his excitement at the appointment, emphasizing the rigorous process he went through to secure the position.

He stated that he applied a year ago. “I underwent a thorough background check, which included a review of my criminal records and an assessment of my professional image on social media, interactions, and my writings on art, media, and filmmaking. They monitored me for almost a year before giving me this appointment.”

Osarfo will be working alongside other judges from around the world, all of whom have extensive experience in screenwriting, filmmaking, and diverse cultures. Their responsibility is to assess and select the winners, finalists, and runners-up for the film festival, which will take place in the United States (Glover, North Carolina).

The USPSC International Film Festival is an all-inclusive festival that celebrates films and series about the first families and White House stories, with a focus on supporting aspiring filmmakers in securing funding and production opportunities.

In addition to his judging role, Osarfo’s recent supernatural horror screenplay has garnered recognition, including selection for the prestigious Nostos Screenwriters Retreats hosted in Italy (Arezzo, Tuscany). He was among 8 screenwriters selected across the globe for a two-week intensive training in an environment structured to foster collaboration and high-quality script development.

He has also achieved success in various genre-friendly competitions, placing and winning awards for:

WINNER, Best Original Screenplay – Hollywood Blood Horror Festival.

WINNER – Best Supernatural Horror Script – Hollywood Horrorfest.

WINNER – Best Horror Screenplay – Hollywood Just4shorts Film and Screenplay Contest.

FINALIST (twice) – 13Horror.com Film & Screenplay Contest.

FINALIST Horror/Thriller category – Creative World Awards (CWA).

SEMI-FINALIST – Los Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival.

SEMI-FINALIST – Filmmatic Short Script Contest.

SEMI-FINALIST – Screenwriters Network (SWN) Script Competition.

Entertainment

I received confirmation from God before I divorced my husband – Ohemaa Mercy

Ghanaian gospel music diva, Ohemaa Mercy has surprisingly revealed that she received a confirmation from God before she divorced her husband.

Ohemaa Mercy and her husband Mr. Isaac Twum-Ampofo are currently divorced.

Over the years, Ohemaa Mercy, had been tight-lipped about her marriage challenges and subsequent divorce.

During an interview on TV3’s Today’s Woman with Cookie Tee, she revealed that the Holy Spirit guided her to seek for divorce.

This, according to her, was to aid her focus on her ministry and avoid any destruction.

In the interview she shared that during COVID-19, she spent time praying and seeking God’s direction, which led her to take the “bold step” of divorce.

“I remember when I was going through divorce. During COVID-19, I depended solely on God for direction, I had a strong covenant with him. I will go to the mountains to pray for three months and I really wanted to hear what the Lord will tell me about what is going on around me. So, when I heard it clearly, I took that bold step. I had the confirmation from God, If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have done it,” she revealed.

Ohemaa Mercy stated that her ex-husband agreed to the decision and they remain on good terms, prioritizing their children and supporting each other.

The gospel musician emphasised that her divorce has allowed her to experience God’s presence and guidance more strongly in her life than before.

“I give God the glory because I am divorced but this is the time I have seen the hand of God so strong on my life, even more than when I was married,” she said.

“When I spoke to my partner too, he understood that we needed to take a break and pray and see what the Lord will do. I told him, ‘I really want us to take a break and move the Ministry, which I know is your passion for me. Let me run with it, let’s take care of the kids and support each other. If I’m going through something, we talk about it. I don’t want to fail God because I feel I’m failing God”, she stated.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme