Entertainment
Miss Tourism Ghana 2023 launched
Miss Tourism Ghana 2023 has been launched in Accra with the focus on keeping Ghana clean to promote the rich cultural heritage and tourist destinations across the country.
Under the theme “Tourism the Heart of Ghana; Keeping Ghana Clean”, it aims to unearth the talent of young girls in promoting the nation, Ghana, both locally and internationally through sanitation by making Ghana one of the cleanest cities in West Africa for tourist attraction.
This year’s pageant, which would take place on June 3 at the National Theatre in Accra, would commence with auditions in some major parts of the country, where about 16 contestants would be selected for the final contest.
The Director of Events and Operations, Miss Tourism Ghana, Mrs Delphine Brew-Hammond, said, “We believe that if Ghana is clean, we will get more people coming to the country. To this end, we’ve led clean up campaigns across Accra from our communities to our beaches. We’ve decided that we will be more aggressive and deliberate about the exercise”.
She stressed that the pageant was an opportunity for young women to know more about their culture and heritage.
Mrs Brew-Hammond said the pageant was open to ladies between the ages of 18-26 who were willing to become tourism ambassadors for Ghana.
“At Miss Tourism Ghana, the contestants do not represent the region they hail from. We want them to learn about the other regions and be tolerant of one another as Ghanaians,” she said.
She urged all to support the course to help showcase and improve Ghana’s tourism potentials to the world to generate revenue for the country.
The Head of Corporate Affairs, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Jones Aruna Nelson, said the theme was timely and it dovetailed into the domestic tourism campaign which seeks to encourage travel within Ghana and its borders.
He said sanitation was vital to tourism and so it was important to maintain environmental sanitation as it was a way of contributing to the expansion of tourism.
“When you clean your area and environment very well, people will go there to visit and they will tell good stories about you. And with this course, they’re going to partner with other agencies and private sector operators to ensure clean environment, especially at the beaches, since poor sanitation affects the commercialisation purposes of tourist sites,” he added.
Mr Nelson implored the youth to take keen interest in the promotion of domestic tourism to increase the revenue mobilisation of the country.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
Entertainment
KobbySalm teams up with S.O.N Music on ‘Cast Your Burden’
Gospel sensation KobbySalm has teamed up with S.O.N Music, the voice behind the chart-topping hit Darling Jesus, to release a powerful new Gospel anthem titled “Cast Your Burdens (Higher)” Produced by Acoustik Music.
This impactful track draws inspiration from Psalm 55:22 and delivers a message of hope for those facing life’s trials, encouraging listeners to find healing and peace by casting their burdens onto God.
In keeping with KobbySalm’s commitment to raising awareness about mental health, “Cast Your Burdens (Higher)” speaks to the power of faith as a refuge during challenging times.
The song’s message is particularly relevant as it reminds individuals that by leaning on God, they can find relief from their emotional and spiritual struggles.
With S.O.N Music’s emotive vocals and KobbySalm’s energetic delivery, the song creates a compelling and uplifting experience for listeners.
Together, the duo has crafted a Gospel anthem that offers encouragement and spiritual renewal for those seeking strength amid life’s difficulties.
“Cast Your Burdens” stands as a powerful reminder that no matter the burden, faith in God provides a path to healing and peace.
The song is available now on all major streaming platforms via https://sspr.fanlink.tv/cast_your_burdens
Entertainment
AfroStepz Dance Academy clinches wins Praise Dance Battle 2024
The Praise Dance Concert of the 10th Ghana Dance Festival came off last Saturday, featuring the best of Praise Dance Ministers in a holy dance battle for the number 1 spot.
The event which was held at PIWC Atomic, in partnership with the PIWC’s Ministry to Celebrities, saw AfroStepz Dance Academy emerge winners, ahead of Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, CDS, Shepherds, KTwins Gh, and Pawers Nation.
The three-round competition had audience spellbound from start to finish, with dance ministers giving off their best in each round.
For round one, dance ministers performed to their own mix, laced with a Scott Evans song, where the following groups made it top 5- AfroStepz Dance Academy, Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, Shepherds, and CDS.
In round two, dance ministers took on the creative task of using Dance Drama to couch various messages including values from Samson and Delilah; The Prodigal Son; Elijah and the prophets of Baal; Unity and Love over division by parties ahead of coming elections; amongst others.
After the second round, Flames Dance Company were declared winners of the 3rd position with 1000cedis as their prize. AfroStepz and Dance 360 moved on to the final round, where they had to battle for the 1st and 2nd position.
The battle had a face-off format, and featured two of their best dancers in a round of Afropop and hiphop songs, per DJ’s choice.
This round was declared a tie by the competition’s esteemed judges – Illyboy (Leader of Arenees Dance Crew), Erica Appa (Leader of Heroz Dance Crew, and House Ghana), The GreatNet (Leader of Let’s Dance Africa), Abena Lar (Dancer-Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Psychology) and Scott Evans (Urban Gospel Artiste).
To break the tie, the judges called for another face off. In the end, MC of the event, Psalm One, announced AfroStepz as 1st place winners, with 4000 cedis prize money, and Dance 360 as 2nd place winners, with 2000 cedis prize money.
According to CEO of the Ghana Dance Festival, Robert Klah, “dance means different things to different people and the are happy to use their platform to allow for the different expressions in gospel fraternity.
He said, ” This year, we decided to bring the praise dance back to the church, and to offer more people the opportunity to use their dance as a tool of worship and service to God.”
He said “We grateful for the partnership with PIWC Atomic, facilitated by Pastor Michael Laryea and approved by Apostle Athony Mensah. While we are happy with the event, we look forward to a bigger experience next year.”
The event also saw a discussion on how the dancers and the urban gospel singers can work together.
In the panel discussion moderated by Robert Klah, several issues on promotion were discussed. Urban gospel artistes Scott Evans, Kobby Salm, and Kingz Kid represented the interest of the urban gospel musicians.
Kingz Kid highlighted the role of dancers in the promotion of gospel songs using this experience as a reference point.
On his part, Kobby Salm charged the dancers to play their role in the ecosystem by working with musicians to build the industry.
Additionally, Scott Evans reached out to dancers for more collaboration in for collective growth.
Jay Smoke, who was the event DJ used the opportunity to highlight REPJESUS.com platform as a main source of urban gospel library accessible to anyone interested in Ghanaian urban gospel songs.
The session closed with an appreciation of dancers and musicians with a clear understanding to working together, to achieve kingdom objectives.
Also ministering at the event were Let’s Dance Africa, Tema Dance Academy, Incredible Afro, City of Twins, The Talent Tribe, KCC, Yung Commissioner, and JoVarni.
Royal Vessel Incorporated charged the atmosphere with praise and worship at the beginning of the programme.
The programme was made possible with the support of Ps Michael Laryea, and coordinating team Nana Akoto Agyapong, Enoch Agyepong and Dompe, all of PIWC Atomic.
The Praise Dance Concert of the 10th Ghana Dance Festival was in collaboration with DanceSport Ghana, Dancers & DanceSport Association of Ghana (DDASPAG), Ministry to Celebrities of PIWC, and powered by Dancetera.
