Celebrity Radio - by Celebrity School of Broadcasting, Ghana

VIP and Kwaw Kesse’s beef… The inside story

fuijunior — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:43:31 +0000

Following the fracas of events in the Night with the Stars show held last weekend, VIP’s management issued an official statement condemning any violent actions by over-excited fans. Unconfirmed reports of violence backstage during the show and continuing in another venue after the show to certain entertainment personalities triggered the need for this statement.

Night with the Stars, built on the concept of a lighthearted competition between the talents that have emerged from both Accra and Tema, pitted Kwaw Kesse against VIP. However, what was meant to simply trigger an exciting competition of lyrical style and wit, turned sour at a point when quick tempers were sparked.

The Accra versus Tema rivalry, which has always just been verbal and lighthearted became quite physical that night, sparked by an action of Kwaw Kesse’s.

During Kwaw Kesse’s performance, he brought in two flags bearing the labels, ‘ACCRA’ and ‘VIP.’ Both flags were put on the ground, supposedly symbolizing Kwaw Kesse’s defeat over Accra, as a representative from Tema.

It was further alleged that Kwaw Kesse trampled on the flag marked ‘VIP’. His action may or may not have carried any symbolic meaning, but VIP who was next to perform did not take his actions lightly and interpreted it as an act of gross disrespect to their brand, and proceeded to be very offended by it. This led to a rant on stage by VIP expressing their anger in very unpleasant words.

This bad blood was carried backstage after performance where unconfirmed rumours allege that certain rowdy persons, supposedly fans of VIP, went angrily searching for Kwaw Kesse who had already left the premises. Doors were allegedly broken, and cracked glass was swung around in anger, taking place in the room where Sarkodie and R2bees had been camped.

Apparently, things got so violent that R2bees and Sarkodie, for fear of their safety, decided not to perform at all and left the premises. Further allegations stated that Promzy of VIP’s car was vandalized at the venue. Security at the event was apparently inadequate to deal with the crazy turn of events.

These rumours of backstage violence were confirmed by a statement Sarkodie’s management released on Monday stating that, “A group of armed individuals broke into the changing room of Sarkodie and R2bees threatening to get violent if we did not reveal the whereabouts of Kwaw Kesse.

We noticed a movement of several armed groups into the main auditorium and backstage for reasons we are yet to know. That became a huge concern for me and members of my team, fearing what could happen when Sarkodie mounts the stage. Fearing the escalation of the situation as there wasn’t enough security personnel to bring the situation under control, we indicated to members of the Joy FM team our concern.”

An official statement released from the management of VIP asked its outraged fans to exercise maximum restraint, as well as heavily condemned and absolved itself from the violence exhibited from some of their fans on the night.

An excerpt of the statement is as follows: “The management of Ghana’s award winning group, Vision in Progress, popularly known as VIP is calling on its fans across the country and beyond who are outraged by some unfortunate developments that occurred at the Night with the Stars show organized over the weekend by Joy FM to calm down and exercise maximum restraint no matter the level of provocation they may encounter.”

Referencing an alleged attack on Kwaw Kese’s hype man after the show by fans of VIP, the statement continued, “VIP has received reports of an alleged attack on some persons. Though without any evidence whatsoever, some persons have accused fans of VIP of being responsible for the attacks. If indeed it was true that VIP fans were behind the attacks, VIP categorically condemns such incidents and is calling on its fans not to engage in such behaviour. VIP does not subscribe to using violence in any form for any reason. The group believes in dialogue as the best means of addressing challenges.”

The statement goes on to assure its fans that, “We would not do anything to compromise the respect the brand has earned over the years.”

In connected developments, Kwaw Kesse’s management released an official statement explaining the symbolism of his actions and entreating all for peace: “In the spirit of creative ‘competition’ of the show which was dubbed ‘Accra vs. Tema’ and which pitted Kwaw Kesse against VIP, Kwaw brought on stage a banner with VIP written on it. Kwaw stood on this banner to depict that in Ghana’s entertainment industry, he was a true VIP too.

“For some unfortunate reason, VIP took this creative expression out of context and resorted to violence, with members of their entourage violently demanding that Kwaw go on stage to apologize for his act. In order not to interrupt the event and also to ensure that sanity prevailed, Kwaw and his entourage left the premises of the Accra International Conference Centre Dome.”

The statement also further urged for peaceful settlement of the issue, calling on VIP to condemn the violence:
“We at MAD TIME are calling on VIP to condemn these acts perpetrated by thugs affiliated to them. We are calling on VIP to affirm their belief in creative competition without the need to resort to barbaric violence.

“…Violence begets violence and retaliation and in the run-up to our national elections, we urge musicians and every other sector of society to denounce and eschew violence and rather seek peaceful dialogue to resolve any differences they might have.

“We urge Ghanaians who were not in the shoes of Sarkodie and R2Bees not to insult or denigrate them for their refusal to perform in midst of intimidation. We also urge event organizers to ensure adequate security at all events to ensure that no unruly thug can threaten the life of a musician just for his or her creative expression. We must learn to appreciate showbiz and entertainment as an area that has no space for violence in this day and age.”

The efforts at putting a lid over threatening violence by both teams of Kwaw Kesse and VIP are very commendable. Event organizers should take an important cue from this event that security is of the utmost importance. It was definitely a woeful situation that security was so poor two artistes billed to perform had to leave for fear of their safety. It is fervently hoped that this issue would be adequately resolved. It should be understood that the created divisions between Accra and Tema do not exist. It is essentially one industry, the Ghanaian Music Industry.

By Nana Korantema/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Foreign investors begin scrambling for stocks on GSE

fuijunior — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:06:40 +0000

In a rather interesting twist of events Citi Business News has gathered foreign investors have begun scrambling for local stocks on the bourse with a few days to the elections.

Ghana goes to the polls on Friday and usually during election periods, foreign investors are not very keen on investing in local stocks.

It however appears there is a new trend emanating this year.

Stock market analysts have however indicated that this year, foreign investors appear to have more confidence in the bourse than local investors.

Head of EDC Stock Brokers, Mahama Iddrisu told Citi Business News, “most of the trades are being done by foreign clients mostly in Fan Milk, GCB, ETI, EIC and Stanchart as well. That means they can see what will happen and they know that Ghana has been tested and proven well when it comes to elections.”

“So while we are being skeptical and try to raise money by selling our shares, others are ready to pick it up. Even with SIC that has almost zero profit, the foreign clients are buying but the locals are selling and this trend is new,” he said.

According Mahama Iddrisu, “foreign investors are showing so much confidence in local stocks this time round because of the trust in Ghana following the changeover. Two of the companies did very well in the third quarter despite the cedi-dollar issues. There is also an improvement in the cedi against the dollar.”

By: Vivian Kai Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

William visits pregnant Kate on second day in hospital

fuijunior — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:24:14 +0000

Source: BBC

The Duke of Cambridge has returned to visit his pregnant wife, who remains in hospital for a second day with severe morning sickness.

William spent Monday with Kate, after her admission led to the couple announcing she was expecting a child.

The duchess, who is thought to be under 12 weeks pregnant, is expected to remain at King Edward VII hospital in central London for several days.

The news has prompted congratulations from across the UK and the world.

The baby will be third in line to the throne after Prince Charles and Prince William.

Families ‘delighted’

The duchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes severe nausea and vomiting, and the main danger is dehydration. The condition can require supplementary hydration and nutrients.

Dr Peter Bowen-Simpkins, medical director at London Women’s Clinic, said: “People who get it get intractable vomiting and may lose as much as 10% of their body weight and become very dehydrated.

“When this occurs the simple treatment is to get fluids into them – and usually they feel considerably better.”

Dr Bowen-Simpkins also said the condition was “more common with a multiple pregnancy”, adding the couple “would know by now whether there were twins there or not”.

Catherine and William, who are both 30, were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011.

In a statement on Monday, St James’s Palace said members of both the Royal Family and the Middleton family were “delighted with the news”.

“As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter,” the statement added.

St James’s Palace would not be drawn on when the royal couple had become aware of the pregnancy, only saying “recently”, but it is understood the palace announcement was prompted by the duchess’s medical condition.

The Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family had been told about the pregnancy only earlier in the day.

Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, who is serving with the Army in Afghanistan, is thought to have been told in an email.

Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter that he was “delighted by the news…They will make wonderful parents.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband also tweeted: “Fantastic news for Kate, William and the country. A royal baby is something the whole nation will celebrate.”

Right to the throne

Among those to offer congratulations from further afield were US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

In October 2011, Commonwealth leaders agreed to change succession laws so that the daughter of any future UK monarch will have the same right to the throne as a son.

Under current laws, if a girl was born first to the couple, she would lose her place in line to the throne if a boy was born later.

The law has not yet been altered but a Cabinet Office spokesman said formal consent was expected “very shortly” and ministers have indicated that the legislation will apply to any royal births from the date of the leaders’ decision.

The monarch is also head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England, head of state of the UK and 15 other Commonwealth countries.

Special voting starts across the country

fuijunior — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:11:38 +0000

The special voting for Electoral Commission staff and security personnel who will be working on voting day, December 7 has started in earnest across the country.

Joy FM’s Election Headquarters’ visit to some of the centres indicates that voting has started and the process is going smoothly.

Joy News’ Eric Ahianyo, who visited the Cantonments polling centre reported that even though there was initial confusion over how voting was supposed to be done, voting finally started around 7:30 am.

According to an Electoral Commission (EC) official, who spoke to Election Headquarters, the officers and the EC staff did not know where to vote due to a new rule that they will be voting alphabetically.

There will be voting in 41 centres in Greater Accra alone and voters will be voting for both Presidential and Parliamentary candidates. The votes will however will not be tallied today.

Upper West Regional Correspondent Rafiq Salam reported from the regional capital Wa, that the process was running smoothly.

He said about 60 security personnel and electoral officers were voting.

From Ofori Krom in the Ashanti Regional capital of Kumasi, Kwabena Ampratwum reported that all the necessary logistics were provided on time and the voting was progressing.

Source: myjoyonline.com

Lionel Petersen arrives in Ghana for Sonnie Badu concert

fuijunior — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:49:11 +0000

World renowned South African gospel artiste and worship leader Lionel Petersen has arrived in Ghana for a highly anticipated Let Peace Rain concert with Sonnie Badu.

The concert is billed for this Saturday, December 1, at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre.

The event is expected to be the biggest gospel music concert to be staged in Ghana, and the arrival of the South African gospel legend is sure to cement the readiness of the organizers to give Ghanaians a memorable show.

Famous for mega gospel hits such as Jabulani Africa, When the Righteous Prosper, Peace, Instruments of Your Peace and Behold the Lamb, Lionel Petersen is renowned not only for the soul-inspiring music that he has churned out since the 1980s, but also for his abilities as a worship leader and a preacher.

Ironically, he began his career as a pop singer with legendary South African pop group The Invaders from 1969 to 1971.

He has collaborated with artists like Chevelle Franklin, Neville D and Judith Sepuma and sang on the soundtrack of the 2008 feature film Hansie. In 2010, he was a judge on the first season of the One Gospel reality competition Shine in his native South Africa.

This will be Lionel’s second visit to Ghana, and it is expected that he will bring his best material Saturday night. He will be sharing the stage with Sonnie Badu, Ohemaa Mercy, Cwasi Oteng, Nii Okai and DSP Kofi Sarpong.

Meanwhile, tickets for the concert are available at GHC40 for regular admission and GHC70 for VIP. They can be purchased at the Joy FM front desk, the Silverbird Lifestyle store, Sunny FM, the TTC head office in West Airport and at the Empire Entertainment head office in Lartehbiokorshie.

The Sonnie Badu Let Peace Rain concert is sponsored by LGG, The Telecom Channel, Atlantic Trust, a Dubai-based, Ghanaian-owned investment and finance company and supported by Dalex Finanace, Access Bank and Fidelity Bank.

It is powered by Empire Entertainment and Media GH under the auspices of the Hour of Hope Trust.

Source: From: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com

Psquare promises Ghanaians an alingo night, this saturday, 1st December 2012.

fuijunior — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:21:28 +0000

Histories are created by historians and come December 1, another historical feat will be witnessed in the entertainment industry of Ghana by the historians-Malta Guinness, as they take the top of the world celebration to another level.

For the first time, Africa’s multiple awards winning duo-Psquare, Ghana’s fastest Rapper and BET award winner-Sarkodie and the dynamic-R2Bees, will come face to face with their fans that have yearned to see them together.

With over 100 hit songs among the super-duper stars billed for the night, Ghana is definitely set for the history books. In between all these, dance steps like the Alantas, Asokpo, Gbohee, Yahozee and the current rave of the moment-Azonto, and not forgetting the Alingo dances will take centre stage.

The event is also expected to witness Ghana’s biggest flash mob, with a special ‘Chop My Money’ celebration dance to go with it. Attendance is invitation only and free tickets can be won by participating in any of the various call-ins on air or visit www.facebook.com/maltaguinnessghana, like the page, and pick up your invitation from the Malta Guinness stand in front of Shoprite at the Accra Mall.

It’s going to be the biggest, exciting and exhilarating concert to mark the end of the year in a grand style.

The date is 1st of December, 2012, and the venue is the Independence Square, Accra.

source: http://www.ghanaweb.com

CAL Bank MD Receives Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award

fuijunior — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:09:36 +0000

The Managing Director (MD) of CAL Bank, Frank Adu has been awarded for being selected as a finalist in the Emerging Entrepreneur category of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur for the Year 2012.

The first and only truly global award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award is an annual event designed to recognize, celebrate and honour entrepreneurs who through ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained successful business with national, regional and global awards’ programmes.

Founded in the mid-western town of the USA in 1986, the annual programme has not only grown to become the only worldwide award event of its kind, but also currently held in 140 cities across 50 countries around the world.

The citation accompanying the award read: “In recognition of your outstanding contribution in the areas of entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, global impact, innovation, personal integrity and influence”.

This year’s event took place at Lagos and recognized individuals who have excelled in contributing to successful businesses in West Africa.

M.A.K

Kate Middleton is pregnant, says close friend Jessica Hay

fuijunior — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:47:10 +0000

“Kate Middleton pregnant” the internet headlines have screamed for the past 12 months or so, though she’s strangely yet to give birth to a child.

However, Jessica Hay, a childhood acquaintance of Kate’s says the Duchess of Cambridge is definitely, 100 percent, well and truly pregnant this time.

Ms Hay told Australian tabloid New Idea that Middleton is expecting, adding, “They’re planning to make an announcement in December. William and Kate are focused on starting a family.”

The magazine attempts to add credence to the story by reporting on Middleton’s recent “weight gain.”

Hay added, “It seems very traditional, but of course they’ll be happy with boys or two girls, they don’t want more. They’ve discussed it endlessly and don’t want to be older parents.”

So, it’s probably wise to tell you who Jessica Hay woman is anyway. Back in 2010, she claimed Middleton told her about her engagement via phone before she told anyone else.

She also predicted that the wedding would happen sometime in 2011. We’re still dubious about the whole thing, though Middleton and Prince William have made no secret of their desire to have children, so who knows?

In other Kate Middleton news, Marie Claire is reporting that the Duchess sent back samples from the Kardashian’s new Dorothy Perkins collection.

Though she’s known to be keen on high street trends, it looks like this was a step too far for Kate.

P-Square celebrate 31st birthday with bread, sachet of water, cabin biscutes

fuijunior — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:38:11 +0000

Nigerian music duo, P-Square stunned fans when they decided to hold an unusual 31st birthday party Sunday below the expectations of many.

The duo, made up of Peter and Paul Okoye, instead of the usual lavish birthday party opted to rather celebrate their big day with a loaf of Agege bread, a tin of Geisha sardine and Cabin biscuits.

As if that was not enough, the Chop My Money hit singers also had on their birthday table – which had no table spread – a bottle of Schweppes, Coke, N10 biscuits, a bottle of Limca, one sachet of water, a candle (which was stuck inside the bread).

The brothers gladly cut their birthday bread with kitchen knives used for cutting meat.

The low key birthday party with its picture has sent social media circles buzzing, as many wonder what informed this wealthy duo to celebrate their big day with such a ‘poor party’.

A source close to them explained their success did not come cheap and they didn’t consider it appropriate to engage in profligacy in the name a birthday party.

The source said P-Square wanted to keep it simple and still have fun while pointing out to their fans that regardless of their personal economic situation they can actually have a birthday party as simple as theirs and still have fun.

Statement: Aliu Mahama’s family grateful to all

fuijunior — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:25:31 +0000

The entire Mahama family of the His Excellency, the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama, former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana wish to express our sincerest gratitude to the people of Ghana for their prayers and support during the events of the last few weeks.

We are grateful for the prayers to the Almighty Allah on behalf the late former Vice President during his period of indisposition and the love shown during the burial ceremonies

Our sincerest gratitude also goes to the Government of Ghana for its interest and unwavering support granted to the family in these very difficult moments; the leadership and entire membership of the New Patriotic Party, the medical team at the Cardio-thoracic Centre and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the media for their continuous support.

We by this, also, wish to make known that the ceremonies to commemorate the one- week of burial will be held at both his residences in Tamale and Yendi on Sunday, 25th November, 2012 from 9.am.

The final funeral rites will be held after the general elections. Details of this will be confirmed in due course.

May Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful bless all Ghanaians and grant us peaceful general elections.

Signed
Samuel Kwadwo Frimpong