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Ms Abena Kay, voice of the vulnerable
One of Ghana’s fast-rising Radio Personalities, Ms Lordina Abena Konadu Yiadom is living a childhood dream of becoming the voice of the vulnerable and providing the platform for the less privileged.
Known as Abena Kay in the media space, the young, vibrant and eloquent lady is the hostess of Pink Show on Kumasi-based YFM.
The Pink Show was specially created to empower, encourage and acknowledge distinguished women in society.
It provides the platform for a hearty conversation with women with the intention to motivate the younger female generation with their stories.
The show also allows Abena to express her concerns about the problems in society especially with regard to the less privileged.
She believes that society can do better by accepting and providing a helping hand to the vulnerable and less privileged.
Ms Abena started radio in 2017 as a co-hostess for the first edition of YFM Mid-Morning Radio show. She was later made hostess of the maiden ‘Pick N Play’ aired every Saturday.
Before YFM, she worked with Silver FM as a panelist on the Silver Anigye and Kessben Music Plus as a pundit and a sit-in-hostess.
In 2019, she was offered the role of Drive Time Show hostess on Focus FM and KNUST’s campus-based radio where she served for three years. She moved back to YFM in March 2022 to resume her role as Pick N Play hostess.
She loves to talk and command listening which got her into taking up the emceeing job and gradually carving a niche as one of the best in the industry.
That aligns with her dream of being the voice that speak for those who do not have power or the platform.
As a professional MC, she puts a lot of effort into making every event special and memorable for her clients.
Abena Konadu Yiadom hails from Ntonso-Aboaso in the Ashanti region and lived most of her growing years in Kumasi. She is the first born of four girls and committed to making life comfortable for her younger siblings.
She had her Senior High School (SHS) education at Amaniampong SHS and later had a Diploma in Media Studies at Premier Media College.
At her leisure time, she would listen to music, especially ones from her favourite, Sarkodie. She considers herself as an ardent fun of Sarkodie. She also loves Kinaata, Nathaniel Bassey and would jump on any Cece Winans song for inspiration.
She is a devoted Christian and her favourite scripture is Joshua 21:45,”Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.”
Her favourite quote is “You cannot skip the stages of life. For your peace of mind and a success that lasts, you need to go through the mill. Grow through what you go through. That’s life.”
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
