Entertainment
Ghanaian music heavyweights for African Legends Night on Friday
It would be an exciting Farmers’ Day package on Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Grand Arena, Accra International Conference Centre,as Ghanaian music heavyweights line up for African Legends Night.
This edition marks the 10th anniversary of the concert and it is aimed at offering a new “December In Ghana” experience for Ghanaians and the Diaspora.
New additions to this year’s celebrations are the creation of the the African Legends Hall of Fame, and a setting up of the African Legends Digital Museum to document the recognition of African music legends.
At the launch of this year’s event, Mr.Ernest Boateng, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance, said with our legendary headline line-up for the concert, coupled with these new initiatives, what African Legends Night promises this year is something that will certainly push the show to greater heights.”
This year’s feature Highlife icons, Amakye Dede and Rex Omar with an enforcement from the evergreen Samini and sultry singer Efya.
Organisers have indicated that there would be other surprises on the big night.
Since its inception, the event has celebrated music legends on the African continent including Hugh Masekela, Daddy Lumba, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Kojo Antwi, Femi Kuti, Amakye Dede, Kanda Bongoman, Awilo Longomba, George Darko, Ofie Kudjo, Freddie Meiway, Ben Brako, Gyedu Blay Ambulley, Samini, Nana Tuffuor, Akosua Adjepong, Amandzeba, 2Face Idibia, Nat Brew, Aka Blay, among many others. These legends, together with other amazing talents such as Wiyaala, Steve Bedi, Yaa Yaa (Bertha), Lady May, Trigmatic, Becca, eShun, Efya, Dela Hayes and her all-female band and others, have thrilled tens of thousands of patrons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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
Entertainment
MUSIGA to introduce minimum wage for members
The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) is working on introducing a minimum wage for its members.
This decision was taken at the MUSIGA National Capacity Building Workshop for the Union’s National Executive Council members, which took place at Erata Hotel, Accra from September 5 to 8.
Participants at the workshop were taken through various topics including Collective Bargaining Agreements, MUSIGA Gender Policy, Improving Financial Management in MUSIGA and Contractual Agreements.
The deputy general secretary of FIM, Thomas Dayan who led discussions on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (C.B.A), said it is the tool used by Musicians Unions’ to guarantee a minimum wage for their members.
He noted that in West Africa, Senegal has set the pace with a minimum wage in place for members of the Senegal Association des Métiers de la Musique (AMS).
Mr Dayan noted that as a member of the Union of Informal Workers Associations (UNIWA) of T.U.C, MUSIGA can undertake such a move.
To this end, MUSIGA will engage with employers of musicians, event organizers and venue owners to discuss the modalities for such an arrangement.
The head of International Relations of the Swedish Musicians Federation (SMF), Jonas Franzen on his part addressed issues of communication and financial management and shared the experience of the SMF.
The President of MUSIGA, Bessa Simons noted that, “The workshop is a welcome activity which has provided our members with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide leadership for the Union in their regions and I believe MUSIGA will be better off for this.”
In his closing remarks, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, former MUSIGA President and a former Vice President of FIM who chaired the workshop tasked the participants to return to their regions and impart the knowledge they had acquired to their members in the region. He also thanked FIM for their support for MUSIGA since the year 2000.
Former MUSIGA President, Bice Osei Kuffour aka Obour called on the participants to ensure that they use the knowledge they acquire at the workshop in developing the Union in the regions.
The new Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Robert Patrick Ankobiah assured the Union of the Ministry’s support in all its endeavors.
The workshop is part of a Union-t- Union project organized by FIM under the theme, “Developing Musicians Unions in Africa.” Other countries involved in the project are Kenya and Senegal.
