United Way Ghana Launch new website

United way Ghana (UWG) has launched a website to promote its business online. The website, www.unitedwaygh.org is adequately stuffed with first hand information about the organization as well as information about its operations readily available with just a click.

United Way Ghana (UWG) is a not-for-profit agency that collaborates with corporate and charitable institutions to support the sustainable development of communities in the areas of health, education, and income generation.
The organisation was established in November 2003 by a group of dedicated corporate and community leaders in Ghana and has been successful in establishing a network of corporate institutions that support community investment projects and provide a platform from which communities can mobilize resources, strengthen their foundations, and continue on the road to self-sufficiency.

The organisation has a unique vision to create stronger, healthier, educated, and self-sustaining communities in Ghana. It brings together businesses, labour, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and where appropriate, government, to foster a culture of corporate social responsibility, local philanthropy, and local volunteerism. UWW provides an efficient mechanism generating new and needed funds for screened NGOs.

United Way Ghana is a member of United Way Worldwide. A global network that shares links with more than 4,500 United Way and Community Chest Organizations in 47 countries and territories

Vodafone to fete Ghana this May

Telecommunication giant, Vodafone will fete the entire nation of Ghana this May as they mark a year of the company’s operations in Ghana. A mammoth concert will be staged on May 22^nd 2010 to climax the anniversary.

The event which is dubbed 020 LIVE is scheduled to take place at the Dome of the Accra International conference centre. After what could be described as a successful first year of operations, Vodafone is ready to paint Ghana red.

Nigeria’s P-Square and D’Banj will join a host of Ghanaian artistes to fete the massive audience expected to make the event later next month. Some of the artistes from Ghana are Sarkodie, Eazzy, 4x4, Richie and Ruff & Smooth.

Vodafone Ghana turned one year on Friday, 16 April 2010. As a new brand that was introduced in Ghana last year, Vodafone Ghana went through initial challenges but today, the company can proudly say that the brand is here to stay and is aiming at becoming the No.1 communications service provider.

Briefing the media on Vodafone Ghana’s one year anniversary, Paul Ryan, Director of External Affairs said that, today, customer excitement about the Vodafone brand is huge and growing as it stands out and drives the telecommunications market by way of customer satisfaction, innovation and competition.

According to Paul Ryan, in the past 12 months the company has grown its subscriber base by 60% ahead of a total industry growth of 29%. As a No.1 broadband services, fixed and the enterprise provider, the company is fast becoming an admired company in Ghana.

The one year success story of Vodafone Ghana has come as a result of it leveraging on Vodafone Group’s strong global brand as the 7th most valuable brand in the world and also by investing heavily in technology, processes and people.

Stay tuned for more information on this event.

By: Selase Attah

Your Friday nights in Accra… Exactly what to do.

Accra is one of West Africa’s most lively cities. Even thought the standard of living is not particularly low, the city duelers know just how to manage themselves. With a population of more than 3 million people, the vehicular traffic situation is a big challenge.

Nonetheless, at the weekend a regular set of ‘night riders’ pour out on the streets to party. Friday nights are very busy in Accra. With variety to choose from, people move from pubs and restaurants during the early hours of the night and after getting themselves knocked off a little bit with some food and buzz, they make way to the night club.

I can’t remember the last time I did not go out on a Friday night. Perhaps my insomnia comes on Friday nights but the truth is that if you know exactly what to do with yourself, you might not have a lot of money but you can have fun to the max.

If you are seeking to have an experience of the rich Accra night life this and any other Friday, you can try what I am about to say below.

If your plan is to just club on a Friday night in Accra then you need to wait until 12 mid-night before you step out either than that you might be the first to enter the club. Accra people love to go out late and most clubs don’t get packed until 2am.

My advice for you is this; step out at about 10pm pass some where (like the much hyped Rapsody’s at the Accra Mall, Celsbridge at Labone, Epo , Twist, Honey Suckle, Purple pub and many other nice and classy bars in the city especially that new joint behind the A&C shopping mall at East Legon) it will afford you the chance to sit and have some drinks. Remember that drinks cost four times more in the club, so you might just want to take advantage of this to buzz just enough to keep yourself in check.

If you don’t need a drink just yet, then u can choose to spend some time at Ghana’s only real movie theatre at the Accra Mall or you can decide to stay at home until mid-night before you move.

The following are night clubs that currently happen on Fridays

Rockstones’ Office and Cinderellas all located on the same premesis in Cantonments

The Plush Aphrodisiac night club situated at Dzorwulu, (Their biggest nights are on Thursdays)

Citizen Kofi ( CK) considered to be Ghana’s classiest night club an assertion I personally regard as a fallacy of hasty conclusion

Rhapsody’s (you need a lot of money and classy cloths to be part of this party)

Excel (Please if you don’t have a fat bank account please don’t try this night club)

2131 formally known as Tantra night Club Osu (Used to be described as a ‘small boys’ club, but if you have been there lately you will realized that the situation has changed.

Mirage Night club (They are actually my worst night club but people love to go there especially Nigerians. Just try it, you might like it)

Boomerang Night (use to be Ghana’s finest night club but that can not be said about it now. They are the oldest in the nations capital)

Montecallo ( It has a lovely ambiance and splendid interior. Use to be much patronized when it first came. The last few times I went there, it was only me and my friends on the dance floor

Jokers night club (This place is always packed every single night of the week, except on Mondays when they don’t open. Commercial sexy workers love this place a lot).

There are many other places that happen but I can say with a lot of confidence and authority that the places listed above are the best night clubs in Ghana.

By: Selase Attah

Professionalism can move mountains

One of the major reasons why music makers in Ghana are struggling to breakthrough is lack of professionalism. There is mediocrity in every aspect of the music business making it very difficult to sell. No one will buy a product that does not look right. The food can taste nice, but if it does not look nice, no one will patronize it.

When you look at how artistes manage themselves in Ghana, you will think they are just doing what they do for the fun of it.

Majority of people in the music business in Ghana are simply not serious. The music makers themselves do not have a bearing and the producers are not generational thinkers. The managers walk in the shadow of their low achieving artistes and pretend they are working.

Until those in the music industry see music as a multi million dollar bag avenue, we will still be trailing behind. The song the artiste makes is his product and the price tag he puts on it is what he will get. This means that the artiste and his entire management team must be market oriented.

Carving a niche and creating a brand image is a success key for any artistes. George Ampofo is a financial analyst. He told me in a conversation “the music industry in Ghana loses million of Ghana cedis every year because it is not organized”.

There are a thousand and one record labels in Ghana because every artiste wants to be on his own. The music success in America and currently in neighboring Nigeria is just because they are organized. Most of the hit records in Nigeria are signed on to Mohits, Kenny’s Music or Storm Records. Why do you want to do it yourself when some one can do it for you in a better and a more professional manner?

The pathetic thing is that, an artiste can pay so much for his song to be played on radio and television and eventually not sell up to ten thousand copies of his CD.

Our music is like the farmer who plants so much but because of poor roads, the products get rotten in the farm. The pieces we produce in Ghana are good and pleasant to the eye, but hardly move beyond the nation’s borders.

The likes of Phamous People and OM Studios have brought massive class and quality in the making of local music videos and if we can get three more video directors like OG and Abraham, the face of Ghana music videos will changed for good.

“My friends and I love Ghana music and we listen to it a lot; but we don’t buy. And I wonder how we get the tracks”, Derrick Andoh, an insurance broker told me in a conversation.

I look forward in earnest to the day when players in Ghana music will say that “we are there.”

By: Selase Attah

2face & Co. support pre-mature babies.

Top Nigerian act, 2face Idibia will join a host of celebrity friends from Ghana and Nigeria in a blissful prelaunch concert for LittleBigSouls Charity Foundation at the African Regent Hotel, on Thursday April 29.

The celebrity friends of the foundation that would perform or make appearances at the concert include Praize, Klint the Drunk, Tagoe Sisters, Akosua Agyepong, Footsteps Dance International, Nat Brew, Ngozi Ezeonu, Francis Duru, Ejike Asiegbu, Mr Chikwendu, Kofi Adjorlolo and others.

Tickets are going for 50Ghc at the African Regent Hotel, Silverbird Cinema and Frankie’s. LittleBigSouls is a non-profit organization incorporated in the United Kingdom, United States and in parts of Africa as the voice for the premature baby born in Africa, committed to help reduce the high rates of mortality and disability for these vulnerable little babies.

The aims of the foundation includes: the provision of vital equipment, facilitation of up-to date medical training, advocacy, promotion of awareness and research, facilitation of an emergency transportation service for pre-mature babies, proactive support of the pregnant mother, counseling and practical support to parents all across Africa.

The official launch of LittleBigSouls Ghana, will take place the following day, Friday April 30.

Source: ameyawdebrah.com

Wande Coal did R2bees a huge favour

Until now, I cant comprehend what R2bees did to deserve the kind of input Wande Coal made into the 'Kiss your hand' song. Anyone who has listened to Wande Coal’s album will immediately realize that ‘Kiss your hand’ was pieces of all songs on the Nigerian artistes’ maiden album put together. Wande actually has a song on his own album titled ‘Kiss your hand’.

Chinedu my Nigerian friend had just returned from Lagos on vacation and as usual he brought some of the latest albums making hits in West Africa’s most populous nation. When we met a few days after his return, he told me he had some fresh ‘naija’ tunes for me; then he game me an audio CD.

For more than three months the only album I listen to was the CD my friend gave me. It was Wande coal’s album. I played the album over and over again until I could sing every song on the album. Every single song on it was my personal favorite.

When I heard that Wande Coal was billed for the 2009 Miss Malaika pageant, I was very excited because I knew it will afford me the opportunity to do a story on the artiste whose works has been my good friend for more than a quarter of a year. That night at the Malaika, all I wanted to do was to have a chat with the immerging African superstar.

Just after an hour into the 4 hour show, I strolled to the back stage hoping to catch Wande. I was lucky enough; he was right there chatting with two other gentlemen including D’banj’s Brother K-swiss. Wande was wearing a white long sleeves, a pair of denim and white trainers to match. With broad smiles I approached him and said “Hi wande”? Then he replied with a broader smile “ yea, how far, whats up”?

I had a 15 minutes chat with him and we spoke about his success story. He told me about how Don Jazzy took him and made him. He was also grateful to D’Banj but he was quick to acknowledge God as his source of strength.

He told me that night that he loves Samini and R2bees and thus a single with these two artistes was in the offing. I was therefore not surprised when I heard “Kiss your hand” by R2bees and WC two weeks after that interview.

The next time I saw Wande after that Malaika night was just recently at the Cinderellas Night Club in Labone. I spotted him squeezing through the choked party crowd with his glass of champagne. Then I tapped him on the shoulder and just as he turned and saw me he said he said “ hey… long time.. u dey”?

I saw him a while later outside and I thought it was an opportunity to follow up on the story I got the first time we spoke. I wanted to ask him what happened to the single with Samini since all that was released was the one with R2bees. Just as I approached him one of the R2bees guy he was standing with him pushed me back. Not even Wande could convince him to allow me to chat with him. This R2bees guy was just adamant.

I was very disappointed in the R2bees guy for what he did. It only went to show how narrow minded some Ghanaian artistes can be. I am only a humble reporter seeking a follow up on story. When I first met Wande, even their single was not yet released.

The kind of aggression that was created by these Tema boys just because I wanted to speak to Wande was big enough for a story but I did not write anything about that encounter up until now because of the kind of respect I have for the young Nigerian artiste.

All I can say is that, if R2bees want to build up on the kind of footing Wande Coal has given them, then they need to lift-up their game. They should learn to brand themselves well because in my candid opinion they live as if the music they make is just for fun. I believe they can also learn from Sarkodie, a fellow hood boy who has just over a shot period become the new kid on the block.

By: Selase Attah

Wutah… Humble and Strong

My first encounter with Wutah was when we were on board the same bus for a show in Kumasi in 2005. They had just released their first single, ‘Big Dreams’ and were making waves with their fine reggae tune. We slept in the same hotel and on Sunday afternoon just before our return to Accra, I had a short but deep chat with the duo.

That was five years ago and when I look back; it makes me believe dreams can be possible. They told me that ‘Big Dreams’ was written eight years before it was finally released indicating that they had come a long way as music makers. Indeed Wutah are the most humble musical group in Ghana.

Wutah say the stability that the music industry in Ghana is experiencing currently was spearheaded by them. “Having served in the industry for at least five years, our little contributions have made a positive impact on Hip Life”.

In an interview inside the plush VIP of the Aphrodisiac night club, Risky noted that “I come to the club to see how our works are doing and it feels good to know that we are not doing any bad”. In 2005, the duet came out with their maiden album “Burning Desire”. The hit track “Big Dreams” was loaded with so much inspiration such that the words of the song will lift up a depressed soul. The song eventual won Reggae Song of the Year at the 2006 Ghana Music Awards.

Risky and his partner PV are a perfect combination. They are not the very strident type and also like to keep a low profile but that does not mean they are not a house hold name.

Their latest album which is their second is dubbed "Kudos" and is doing tremendously well with 'kotosa' making massive waves. “As musicians we are the mouth piece of the masses so we take our time to come out with quality lyrics and beats”, Risky said. The album won two awards at the 2010 Ghana Music Awards (GMA) even though many tipped them to win more.

Risky noted that the relationship between him and PV is so strong they can hardly break apart. “Together we shall forever stand”.

By: Selase Attah

Okyeame Kwame… First Hip Life Artiste with a degree

Okyeame Kwame has become the first Hip Life artiste to earn a degree. As surprising as this may sound, the accomplished musician has made history and needs to be acknowledged. The 2009 Ghana music awards (GMA) artiste of the year wrote his last paper on Monday signaling the end of his years on the campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

As a Student of Akan and Sociology, the best rapper alive had before him five broad subjects which he wrote as part of requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree. These subjects included dialectal differences, translation, modern poetry, female African writing and current affairs.

Before the commencement of his final exams, Okyeame noted that “the exams come with great joy and fulfillment as I regard it as a huge achievement in my life. Even though sitting at the exam hall for these papers is no mean thing to do, I am very excited to be going through this at this time of my life” he noted.

It has not been all easy especially when he had to combine both performances which started on Fridays and studies which commenced on Mondays. Switching between academic and the entertainment worlds was like juggling between two fired up daggers. His ability to cop with his profession as a musician and a student is remarkable.

Having the opportunity to be taught by legends like Agya Koo Nimo (Dr. Amponsah), Dr Charles Marfo, Professor Agyemang, Dr Tuffuor, Mr Nsiah, Miss Solace Yankson and Mrs Abeka to mention a few. Okyeame Kwame through his four year study at KNUST studied music appreciation, classical guitar, photography, linguistics, Akan drama, African poetry, translation, communication skills, sociology and so many other life inspiring subjects.

The Kumasi based artiste experienced the best moments of his career over the past four years after making his maiden appearance on the scene more that a decade ago. Now with a University degree to his name, it is obvious he is poised for something elite.

He told Ghanamusic.com on the eve of the 2010 GMA that “I have been slow with the release of my new album because of school and now that I’m almost done, I can only be grateful to God for seeing me through”.

Indeed, okyeame Kwame’s achievement as a graduate musician is worthy of emulation and should urge other musicians to seek knowledge in music in addition to their God given talent in order to promote the profession.

His words of encouragement to all especially up and coming artistes are “seek knowledge, and when you find it let it contribute to positive social change”.

By: Selase Attah