Lies, Debt & Insecurity: African Entertainers’ Desire to Live the Hollywood Lifestyle Without the Hollywood Cash | D’Banj is Reportedly BROKE…

Our African entertainers love to live large and they deserve that lifestyle because most of them really work hard—but at the same time, they seem to forget about the adage ‘ cut your coat according to your size’. And I am not talking about Asiedu Nketia’s female coat…
Most of our Ghanaian Celebrities are driving around in expensive cars on credit while living at home with their parents under shocking conditions. For most of such people, instagram and facebook have become their world, showing off their unworthy wealth of watches, cars and phones—while their close family live in abject poverty…
This disease does not live just within the boarders of Ghana,  our Nigerian brothers and sisters are doing the same—throwing out large receipts for things which do not make up any investment package and it seems this lifestyle is catching up with even the ‘big boys’.
It looks like our understanding of investment in Africa is different and as such, ordinary cars, throwing parties and travelling around the world for nothing have made it into the investment books of our celebrities.

Look around you and ask yourself this; what real investments do most of our celebrities parading their wealth on social media have? At least, we know of the numerous investments of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Diddy, Dr. Dre and the others…
It could be that our African entertainers are keeping their investments private but to be frank, this would not cut for any reasonable person considering the fact that these people like to show off silly things like travelling abroad—why would they want to hide the real deal then?
Reports from Nigeria have it that,  D’banj who is considered one of African’s top entertainers and top earners (few years ago) is almost broke—and he has not been able to pay many of his staff which has led to several of them quitting.

Also, according to NET NG, there are court summons plastered on D’Banj’s Lekki house gate (since December 17) for a court case that is supposed to be held on Monday, January 26—and this is to be with debt.
Meanwhile, this same D’banj was spotted chilling and spending ‘big’ in Amsterdam—living the Hollywood celebrity lifestyle.  And he is not alone in this pot, even without incoming jobs for many of the people we call Ghanaian celebrities, they continue to live this Hollywood celebrity lifestyle on credit or in people’s pocket…
The desire to live the Hollywood lifestyle by these celebrities without the Hollywood cash has turned most of them into liars, living within the walls of insecurity…

Maybe it’s not our business but it surely would be sad for many of these people in few years to come without any real investments—because we have seen some of our old movie and music stars who cannot even afford 3 square meals now that they are old.  Today, many of the old celebrities cannot even afford their own health bills…
Recently, Nigerian actor-Muna Obiekwe who used to be a top earner some years ago died from a kidney disease—owning to the fact that for about two weeks, he could not go for his regular dialysis because he could not afford it. It’s sad but the question is; what happened to all the payments he received from the many movie roles?
Are these celebrities ever going to learn? The Hollywood lifestyle comes with the Hollywood disease…

Source: ghanacelebrities.com

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Mzbel...A Walking Pornography?

Sassy songstress, Mzbel was on e.TV’s The Late Nite Celebrity Show to talk on her upcoming concert on February 7 at the National Theatre. The artist who pulled out and boycotted the 2007 Ghana Music Awards said: “I enjoyed the controversies as they came.

But sometimes I ask if it’s me they are talking about. Because most often than not, what they say doesn’t reflect what I am as a person. I’m a very calm person and I don’t lie or exaggerate stuff. Sometimes I hear people say stuff about someone and I go like ‘wow, this person is really wild only to realize the person was talking about me in the end’.

I’m not what people think I am; but I have come to understand its all part of the show business and its fine. “I felt like giving up on the music career just once in my entire career. I was really tired with people telling lies about me.

The uproar that followed anytime I performed was getting to me. It was new to people for a young girl to climb a stage in a bikini. They weren’t just comfortable a Ghanaian girl was on stage showing skin and being comfortable about her body. “The harshest I heard was someone calling me a walking pornography, but I was also confused with what to do because when there was a show, the venue will be packed.

So I was wondering if I should stop or keep going. “The response whenever I was on stage was resounding but I walk off stage and the next day, the newspapers and other outlets will be saying hurtful things making me look like am an awful person. “So one time I decided to give up and go back to TV presenting but later my manager encouraged me not to give up on the music.

Before I could gather momentum and continue, I got pregnant and it slowed me down a bit. The I Swear singer detailed her plans for her upcoming Red Concert: “December 2014 marked exactly ten years when I came into the music industry and I’m drafting a few of my friends to help me celebrate all the hits, albums and success we have chalked thus far. “It’s going to be the battle of the sexes where the male artists battle it out with us the females on the bill.

“It’s happening on February 7 and would cost GHC50 and GHC70 to see VVIP, Edem and a whole lots of artists perform.”

Source: e.TV

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I Was Once So Broke I Did Not Have Money To Buy Panties - Delay

Versatile Radio host and TV Producer, Deloris Frimpong-Manso (Delay) has recounted her beginning days in 2010 when all she could boast of was twenty Ghana Cedis or two hundred thousand cedis in the old currency.

She disclosed this on her mid- morning show on Oman Fm in Accra on Thursday January 21, 2015 edition of the show.

‘I only knew two things; that I was broke as hell and one day I will very successful’ she said.

Explaining further about how to be successful in life, she told listeners that, it was a process which could take time and just as a new born baby has to learn how to crawl first, attempt at walking (falling several times in the process) before eventually mastering his or her steps, a person cannot be successful in a day but has to go through a process which can include very difficult times.

‘There was a time I had to cut off all my hair because I couldn’t afford a cream to perm it, I sometimes didn’t even have money to buy new panties or sanitary pad and had to live with and depend on some friends but look at me now, I own one of the highly patronized mackerel brands (Delay Mackerel) in Ghana which also bears my name’ she recalled emotionally.

Delay advised people to work hard in life and not to pay attention to other people’s negativity about them and stay focused with whatever future plans they have.

She explained further that, she is not ashamed to share her story because most people are going through same now and it is just to serve as motivation to believe that things can change for the better one day if they truly work hard and believe in themselves but in all, Deloris who is also the executive producer for the highly watched ‘Afia Schwarzenegger and ‘The Delay Show’ added that, They shouldn’t forget God in their everyday dealings.

Source: zionfelix.com

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Shatta Wale’s Apology To Me Wasn’t Sincere - Kaakie

Female dancehall musician, Kaakie, has spoken publicly about an apology rendered to her by Shatta Wale, after the latter hurled insults at her over an award she won in 2013.

Rendered some two years ago, Wale apologised for the invectives he hurled at the young lady after she beat him to an award at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards.

Kaakie, who was good under the year in review, won the award for Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year for the song ‘Tofee Pon Tongue’, much to Wale’s chagrin, who was hoping to win with ‘Shatta City’.

He subsequently took to social media and launched a scathing attack on her person – in a way many thought was uncouth.

He posted: “F*** Kaakie who can’t even write her own music and f*** her smelling p****… I know how they did this. But trust me, we know how to handle this.”

He later apologized – and released a song in July 2013 to validate his plea for forgiveness. She refused to comment on it.

She however broke her silence on the issue this morning during a radio interview.

Kaakie, who just returned from a well patronized show in Gabon, said she thinks the apology lacks an element of sincerity, insisting it feels awkward to go to a place and hear the song being played all over again.

She told Pluzz 89.9 FM ‘s entertainment morning show, AM Pluzz on Friday that a more fitting apology would be for Wale to tell her in the face about how truly sorry he was.

Source: enewsgh.com

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I Hate Praye Tiatia With Passion - Nana Ama McBrown Reveals

Two years after her life threatening accident, beautiful and versatile actress Nana Ama McBrown has for the first time opened up about circumstances surrounding the tragic accident which almost claimed her life.

In a very emotional interview on “Restorations with Stacy”, Nana Ama relived the most frightening moments of her life on national television, making a shocking revelation that she had the accident after doing Hiplife group Praye a favour.

According to her the accident occurred as a result of doing a favour for friend and the same friend turned his back on her when was going through trial times caused by the same favour she did.

“There is something in me and I have to say it. I have to pour it out. With the group Praye, I have something in me and I want God to forgive me. I’m keeping sometime about them in me which I don’t know how to get out”.

The “Madam mock” actress disclosed that she had a call from Hiplife group Praye through his boyfriend Maxwell that they (Praye) wanted her to play role in the video of their single “Still young” and even though she didn't really want to do it, her boyfriend Maxwell pleaded with her to do it for him because he was friends with the group.

For the first time she revealed that contrary to earlier reports that she had the accident on her way home from a movie set, Nana said she had the accident from the set of Praye’s music video shoot.

According to McBrown, she agreed to act in the video for free because Maxwell wanted her to but she even ended up spending money because the shoot was postponed countless times and she had to pay for plane tickets back and forth from Kumasi to Accra every time they try to shoot, until they finally finished shooting on that fateful Wednesday morning at about 1am.

She said the group Praye, particularly Praye Tiatia aka Big J who was the one who kept calling her phone prior to the shoot, ignored her totally and didn't even bother to visit her while on admission for about three weeks at the 37 Military Hospital.

McBrown however, admitted that both Praye Honeho and Praye Tiatia and Abraham Ohene Djan of Ohenemedia who directed the video, came to the hospital, immediately the accident occurred but after that, Big J who was Nana Ama’s husband in the music video never went back to check on her and he has never called her since then.

“Can you believe that after that night, I didn't see that short man who was giving me pressure to come shoot that video again and I have never set eyes on him. Eugene and his wife came to the hospital twice after that but Praye Tiatia, he never bothered. Meanwhile he was calling my phone every day for the shoot”.

“That particular guy, I have told God that I don’t want to talk to him and I don’t want see him again in my life and I don’t want to see him around me”.

Adding that Eugene Baah Praye Honeho (Now known as Choirmaster) and his wife Beverly Afaglo visited her a couple of times whiles she was on admission but Big J didn't even care whether she was alive or dead.

Checkout the "Still Young" video by Praye:

Source: peacefmonline.com

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King Ayisoba's “Batakari Night” Concert Set For January 30

King Ayisoba is hosting the “Batakari Night” Concert at Alliance Française on January 30, 2014 to encourage Ghanaians to purchase the northern smock (batakari).

The concert which will start at 8pm will be graced by artistes such as Wanlov, Yaa Pono, Agongo, Stevo, BOLA, Asaanaho, shake bongo, Prince Buj and keyboardist Opoku Mensah and his band.

King Ayisoba, an award winning artiste renowned worldwide has made great waves with his kologo sounds since he was discovered in the Ghanaian music scene in 2005.

He is currently on a campaign trail for more people to patronize batakari from northern Ghana with the show dubbed “Batakari Night”. Also referred to as fugu, batakari is made of hand loomed strips of cotton.

The strips are sewn together by hand or machine and usually have embroidery on the neckline. Making of batakari has created employment opportunities for many people in the north.

King Ayisoba’s style of music is melodic and percussive at the same time and he has displayed diversity and innovation by using traditional instruments together with hiplife (a style that emerged in Ghana in the mid-90s and contains hip hop and dancehall elements) beats, bleeps and bass. His lyrics are very personal, sometimes funny, often urgent and always imaginative.

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Video: Gallaxy Releases 'Holla At Me'

GALLAXY

Ghanaian hiplife and Afrobeat music group, Gallaxy has released visuals to their much-anticipated song, 'Holla At Me'.

The video, directed by award-winning video director, Ebenezer Xbills of Xpress Philms is characterized by quality pictures and outstanding African costumes.
According to the group, the concept and use of African prints in the video is to promote the patronage of locally made products.

They urged Ghanaian artistes to embrace the use of locally produced prints and costumes to sustain the local textile industry which is currently suffering from the huge importation of cheap and inferior prints.

Gallaxy noted that considering the huge influence musicians and celebrities have on society and their fans, the war on imported textiles can be won if “we all come on board and patronize our own.”

Source:Myjoyonline.com

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Afia Schwarzenegger Appointed Ambassador For Orphans

Afia Schwarzenegger has been appointed as an ambassador for orphans by the Association of Children’s homes and Orphanages Ghana (ACHO- Ghana).

The excited Ghanaian actress took to her Facebook account on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 to share a letter of the appointment of her new role while gushing about her new role.
Although not stating any reason why she might have been so appointed or what makes her qualify for the role, she simply wrote: “To God be the glory …its definitely heaven on earth…nice way to start the year.Am humbled."

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Efya Releases “Gingam Too Much”

Beautiful and talented songstress Efya has made available via social media her new single titled “Gingam Too Much”.

Efya, known in real life as Jane Awindor, has worked extra hard to maintain her honour as the three-time Best Female Vocalist in the Ghana Music Awards.

Her emergence on the music scene began when she came in as a runner-up in the "Stars of The Future" talent hunt show way back in 2006.

Aside this latest single which is a song on her upcoming album “Love Janesis”, Efya, has served her fans with wonderful songs like “Little Things”, “I’m in Love with You”, “One of your own”, “Forgetting Me”, among others.

Efya after releasing those songs has established herself not only in Ghana, but throughout the world as a singer with a unique and unforgettable voice.

Source:GhanaWeb

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Tinny Jabs DJs, Media And Ghanaians For Woes Of Ghanaian Music

Hiplife rapper, Tinny in an exclusive interview with yfmghana.com registered his dissatisfaction with Ghana’s media on how they are treating Ghanaian acts.

The Makola Kwakwe hit maker on beefing with other artistes revealed it’s only music duo Buk Bak that he ever took shots at.

“Every soldier song should go for somebody when you listen to it. It has to pierce somebody, I listen to many songs on the radio and listening critically you can easily assume the shots are being fired at you.

“It’s music. I don’t have anyone in mind when I do these songs – It’s only Aletse that I directed towards Buk Bak. Apart from that the rest are just records I made for music sake.

Looking back at the beginning of his career and 2015 music scene, the rapper believes producers are holding down the music industry at the moment.

“Now the music is more about business than creativity. Now its beats – People want to dance. I don’t think we believe in good music anymore. These days, people do songs, they don’t do music. A song passes after a few rotations but music stands the test of time.

“When you do music, you have to double every other thing you are offering so it hits home on every level.

“My problem now is the DJs. They are killing real music. They believe in mixing for people to dance and if you have a great record which is below the tempo they are mixing in, they won’t give your record rotation.

Tinny also believes the media in Ghana are not supporting Ghanaian artistes enough;

“Ghanaians don’t believe in Made in Ghana stuff. Like Ghanaian artistes wouldn’t see Nigerian acts like American artistes. Even if an artiste is coming from Congo or Togo, they get better treatment like Jay-Z would.

“I dropped Tiokor video a few days ago. It should have been on all the TV stations but it’s only a few who have featured the video on their channels. But you tune into these same stations and Chris Brown, R Kelly and other American artistes videos are playing.

“I don’t pay Payola. I have never paid Payola in my life. I remember one DJ whom my manager and I bumped into at Busy Internet some time back. My manager gave him my latest then and he demanded for some money to give the record some rotation on his slots.

My manager told me and I rushed back to the DJ’s car and snatched the CD from him. Because we don’t get Royalties and many other things but DJ’s want us to pay for rotation.”


Source: yfmghana.com

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I Posted My Naked Pictures To Make Money...YouTube Paid Me $8,000 - Singer

Deborah Vanessa Owusu, more commonly known in entertainment circles as Sister Debbie, has revealed posting her nudes was a "business decision."

The 'Uncle Obama' singer who said she has been paid $8,000 for her YouTube views last year posted a nude picture on her personal twitter page with the caption “tag a friend who will be happy to come home to me”.

The ‘Bola’ hitmaker who has always insisted she posted the nudes “because she is free and willing to do whatever” said her decision to post it was influenced by her quest to get more social media visibility.

“I thought that me ‘koraa’ my Yutube views were slowing down so I thought let’s get some views,” she stated in an interview with Morning Starr host Kafui Dey Friday.

Sister Debbie dares to expose the hypocrisy of the Ghanaian standards and culture in most of her dealings.

She explained that many “boys” enjoyed looking at her nudes.

“The photographer that took this picture said 'ooo Debbie I’m putting this on my Instagram and we put other ones on his Instagram and there was no', well I did have backlash for one with my palm on my vejayjay. And then some people who follow him picked it up and were Tweeting you know…positive tweet. Things like Oo I’m going to watch this and sleep tonight…So everything was positive, boys were excited”.

Source: starrfmonline.com

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Kwabena Kwabena To Bury Dad January 31

Talented highlife artiste, George Kwabena Adu, known on stage as Kwabena Kwabena, will lay the mortal remains of his dad to rest on Saturday, January 31

His late dad, Mr. Samuel Kwadwo Boadu, 73, died on Thursday, November 13 in Accra. He had been battling an undisclosed ailment for some time.

According to the family, there will be no wake keeping but the body will lie in state on Saturday, January 31 followed by a memorial service at the residence near St. John Grammar School in Achimota.

The mortal ramains of the late Badu will be laid to rest at the Achimota Cemetery on the same day.

On Sunday February 1, 2014, the family, friends and well wishers will converge at the Apostolic Church of Ghana, St. Johns Assembly for a thanksgiving service.

Kwabena Kwabena, speaking shorthly after his father’s death in an interview with Myjoyonline.com last year said the late Badu played a pivotal role in his music career.

“My dad influenced my growth in music because [he] is somebody who loved music a lot, though he didn’t do music professionally. My dad played all kinds of music. I grew up listening to all genre of music. That is what I would say is so influential on my career,” he said.
According to the ‘Bue Kwan’ hit singer, his father’s passing is “such a loss but I would say that it’s for the better. He has done his part and may his soul rest in peace.”
His dad left behind four children.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Video: Is Sarkodie Part Of Illuminati Or Just Courting Controversy?

In December 2011, award winning rapper Sarkodie, born Michael Kwesi Owusu Addo, released the video of his hit song ‘Saa Okodie No’ and many alleged that some visuals in the video had some satanic connotations.

The issue generated heated discussions on radio, TV and online with many alleging that he had joined the popular underworld group, Illuminati.

Sarkodie, in a bid to save his image and also dispel the rumours, swiftly recorded the song ‘Illuminati’ and subsequently released the video for it in August 2013.

The ‘Illuminati’ video earned the rapper several local and international award nominations. He won four awards at the 2013 edition of the 4Syte Music Video Awards.

Just when many thought the artiste had successfully shaken off the controversy, his latest music video, ‘Revenge Of The Spartans’ has got tongues wagging again.
‘Revenge Of The Spartans’, directed by David Nicol-sey and released Wednesday, January 14 has reignited a somewhat subtle controversy that the rapper, who is still enjoying massive successes in his career, has hanging around his neck regarding his association with Illuminati.

While Sarkodie uses the lyrics in the song to cement his supremacy in the rap game, some visuals in the video are currently the subject on social media circles.

In the 3 minutes, 33 seconds video, the rapper stirs controversy as 125 seconds into the video; at 177 seconds and 11 seconds before the end of the video.

Two individuals, wearing something that looks like a keffiyeh, have their thumbs and index fingers together to display the ancient symbol of the left eye of the devil otherwise known as the ‘All-seeing-eye’ or the ‘illuminati sign’.

Many fans have shared varied opinions at the video on social media.

Below are some of the comments (unedited) under the video on Youtube:

Kwabena Yeboah said: “leave sarkodie alone.if he is Illuminati,that is his life.i dont think sarkodie was a saint or told ghanaians he is singing to praise GOD.whatever” 

Bobbi Badazz: “Sarkodie king of Rap ,Now King of Controversy lol ... Creating another scenario to release another dope single ,all good rappers do that to create more cases for them to rap about ,most dont know it”

Murtala Shahanun said: “He said they call him mason and there comes the pyramid. Illuminati or not the guy is serious. More greese to ur shoulders... Sark nation is de best blv it..... I said it”

Osei Kwame commented: “sooo... the masked men throwing those signs mean what exactly? you're doing something is almost good and it gets ruined by something unnecessary.”
Gallardo noted: “Nice hot tune, but Sark 1 ting for i sure i dont undst are you falsing your self to be call a Illuminati guy guy or is jst a common style, T.B.H
stop it it will ruine your image for the society” 

Melchizedek Mensah said: “I am big sarkodie fan but come on bro stop claiming that ish”
Ebenezer Hammond added that: “Vid is as dope as it gets... Bt som Ghanaians y , de vid is tellin a story try comprehending ,, it seems som r seeing onli de illuminati sign even if its part of de story ..”

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Tinny Talks About His Song With American Hip Hop Star Ja Rule

Kankpe Records CEO Nii Addo Quaynor aka Tinny in an exclusive interview with yfmghana.com revisited his potential boundary breaking music collaboration with American Hip Hop star Ja Rule.

The Oh My God rapper talking about the record that manifested as a result of his former label and bosses at Maddhaus Entertainment revealed:

“I did that record when I was with this record label called Maddhaus Entertainment and so they own that record. Everything is with them and they will decide to release it or not.”

The rapper gearing to release the first of a three sequel album made it known even though the record never got a release date, it’s still in his stash because he doesn’t own the rights to the song.

“The song is still there. I have it.”

On how the record happened, the 32-year-old rapper revealed:

“Ja Rule came to Ghana and the management met him and played him some of my records and he loved them and he was like "let’s go do a song together. “

“That was when Richie of Lynx Entertainment was coming up. We brought the data to MaddHaus studio and did it. It’s called Good Time Rules.”

"I have it but I don’t own it so I will not like to drop it. But you know I have moved on. And musically Ja Rule is not that hot but he still Ja Rule".

Source: yfmghana.com

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Mzbel Gathers The Creme De La Creme For Her Red Concert

Celebrated female Ghanaian musician Nana Ekua Amoah popularly known as Mzbel launched her first major music concert dubbed Mzbel Red Concert.

The press briefing which took place at the Plush Silver Lounge inside Accra Mall brought together patrons from the media, fellow musicians and industry stakeholders.

At the event, Mzbel announced a tall list of artistes who will be supporting her come the event date which is set for 7th February 2015 at the National Theatre.

Artistes such as Screw face, Stonebwoy, Dobble, Trigmatic, Guru, Edem, Abena Ruthy, Paulina Oduro, Luther, Quame Zaggy, AJ Nelson, Kesse, Raquel, MzVee, Danny Beatz & Ticles, Quata, 4x4, VVIP, Kobi Rana were among the list of performers on the day.

The theme for this year’s event according to Mzbel is the battle of the sexes.

In explaining the theme and what people should expect come the 7th of February; Mzbel opined, the event will be a healthy music battle between the male and the female artistes in the country. Just imagine an example like Quame Zaggy coming face to face with Mzvee. That is more like Dancehall vs Hi-life; this is something that will help grow our industry.

She also added that fans should know that the performances on the night will be exceptional; fans will witness exceptional collaborations they have not seen on many stages in a long time.

There will also be some surprise performances and some wild choreography performances she noted.

In her ending speech Mzbel mentioned that she can’t release all the surprises but come the 7th of February every fan of Mzbel together with listed artistes should make sure they are seated at the national theatre for a good show.

The Mzbel Red Concert is in collaboration with Musiga.

Source: peacefmonline.com

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Coach Avram Grant Nearly Sacked Dede Ayew – Here Is Why

Avram Grant nearly sacked midfielder Andre Ayew from Ghana’s camp in spain.

The incident, which happened last week, saw the 59-year old Ghana boss begin moves to axe the player from Seville after the Marseille man reported late to camp. But the vice chairman of the Black Stars management committee, Kudjoe Fianoo, stepped in and asked the coach to reconsider.

“Myself and [committee chairman] George Afriyie had to intervene and apologise on behalf of Andre Ayew for arriving late in camp because Avram Grant was very unhappy about the player’s late arrival in Spain,” the administrator told Happy FM in Accra.
Fianoo added:

“Grant sees Dede as a player who could lead the team in the future and expects him to lead an exemplary life.”
Fans of the national team have long wanted the disciplinary whip to be cracked, especially after the worldwide negative publicity the country gained at the last World Cup.

Andre is said to have been apologetic and offered an explanation for his lateness.

- SuperSport.Com

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Stephen Appiah Retires From Football – Statement

Stephen “Tornado” Appiah has finally decided to bid farewell to his Football career!

He has released a statement and it reads below.

After two decades and over of what has been an illustrious professional football career, I formally announce with deep nostalgia my retirement from football. I wish this day never came because football was life- my life. It made me whole.

From the sandy pitches at Indadfa park in Accra where my career was honed to the grassy green field in Turin, Italy where my career blossomed, I tell with profound humility a great true story of a Ghanaian patriot who with nothing, from nothing, rose to become a global icon thanks to the power of football.

I retire today with a great measure of fulfillment not just because I bowed out high as captain of the Black Stars but because I bowed out serving my country with honour and selfless dedication in what was, is and will always be the most important sport or activity in Ghana.

To this day, one of my proudest achievements in my career is playing and captaining my country. Every time I wore the most inspiring jersey in the world, the ‘Black Stars shirt’, I realized how fortunate I was not to only follow in a long line of great players that have played for Ghana but also the joy of representing every Ghanaian that cared passionately about their country. I’m honoured to represent Ghana both on and off the pitch.

In my service, I made mistakes. I probably stepped on some foots; I definitely annoyed others and broke many Ghanaian hearts for not winning a trophy in my tenure even though we came too close many times.

And whilst under my tenure we achieved the single most important dream of qualifying Ghana to the World Cup in Germany 2006, we also shattered many Ghanaian hopes of reaching the semi-final, the first by an African country in our second attempt at the World Cup in South Africa 2010.

Africa was down, Ghana was down and we the players were down too. I remember that episode with a great deal of pain but for a game that holds no certainty one can only grieve in silence and move on. We moved on.

My journey to the top echelons of Ghana’s football was not always a bed of roses. It couldn’t have. I remember, as if it were yesterday, the days at ‘lavender Hill’ when I had to train in the sandy beaches of Korle-gonno, a not too fragrant environment. Those were the days when I had to juggle between going to training and still think about what to eat after training.

I remember my days with Accra Hearts of Oak and how my commitment to the game opened a great door of opportunity for me at Starlets 95. I grabbed that opportunity and the rest they say is history.

My career has sent me to many places; brought me closer to many people and I have a dozen more to thank and be grateful to for their immense contribution in my life.

As I close the chapter on my playing career, I want to thank God for how far He has brought me. Thank my family for the support they gave me, thank all my team-mates both Ghanaians and other nationals, thank the great and intelligent managers that I had the pleasure of learning from and most importantly the numerous fans that cared passionately about me, their teams and their country and also supported me and gave me the strength to succeed.

Nothing can ever completely replace playing football, however I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. I am still open to possibilities with whatever football has to offer from now till when my maker decides to call me.

Signed
Stephen Appiah

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DIGNITY FOR SALE in Ghana | From Baffour Gyan & Journalist-Kenu Assault Case to KKD Alleged Rape Case

All around the world, people are increasingly taking pride in justice and the rule of law—to the extent that, some are ready to die for the enjoyment of their legal rights; think Charlie Hebdo.

However, when it comes to the poor West African country-Ghana, people seem to regard the selling of their rights and dignity a far better option than to join the global fight against the diminishing important of the rule of law in the minds of certain ‘intentional’ law breakers—mostly, those with connections and money to pay off their victims.

Few months ago, an Ashanti Regional Editor of Daily Graphic- Daniel Kenu was assaulted by Baffour Gyan, the senior brother of the rich Ghanaian footballer-Asamoah Gyan and after taking the case to court—the journalist later wrote to the court to withdraw the case, citing some ridiculous reasons. The plausible reason for the case withdrawal was that, the Gyan brothers had paid the journalists off—intentionally breaking the law and easily paying off their victim.

Just yesterday, it emerged that the victim in the KKD alleged rape case-Miss Ewuraffe Orleans Thompson had written to the necessary authorities to withdraw her allegations against Kwesi Kyei Darkwah who was being held in custody over rape charges, awaiting trial. Once again, she cited some non-convincing reasons.

The shocking and sudden efforts to withdraw the case was immediately followed by an unanticipated letter of apology from KKD who had from day one denied ever doing anything wrong to the girl—once again, speculations are wild that money has been paid to the victim’s family.

In the above two famous cases, let me mention that it’s within the rights of the victims to accept whatever compensation they are offered by those who’ve wronged them but for the rule of law to take its deserving stand in our Ghanaian society, the Court looks like a better adjudicator of such matters compared to the back door Kangaroo courts we are seeing.

The precedents springing from such offences and the way they are being settled with money by those affluent Ghanaians are these; in Ghana, you are above the law provided you have some cash—and people do not value their dignities in Ghana so you can violate them as long as you have the means to pay them off when reported.

A society founded on such inequality grounded in the ability of the rich and famous to do whatever they want to the poor—and turn back to slap their victims in the face with some cash to undermine the law only benefits the rich, both in the long and short run.
Such practices undermine the essence of justice, especially in young democratic societies like Ghana. What we should remember is that, “justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity”. If we do not check such repulsive and injustice way of offering justice, we would soon find ourselves in an extreme lawless country where some few would be able to even murder the poor—and just write their families a cheque.

It surely looks like we stand for nothing in Ghana—except money. Perhaps, so many people are hungry and are therefore ready to sell their dignities for money instead of justice as long as the presented amount seems reasonable to their immediate needs.
Maybe when we are able to address the problem of poverty; the fast developing problem of ‘lack of conscience’ allied to poverty may also disappear. Nevertheless, someone must be able to check the actions of the rich and famous—else we are heading to a ‘pejorative rule’ by the rich, Plutocracy.

Source: ghanacelebrities.com

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I Thought the KKD Defenders Said He Has Done Nothing Wrong-Legally, Morally or Religiously | So Why is He Now APOLOGISING?

The level with which some Ghanaians defend those who have intentionally broken the law, hurt others and have taken away the dignity of others is beyond shocking—and Kwesi Kyei Darkwah’s case brought this to light…

Trust that whatever someone does in this world, he or she will have supporters, mostly credulous supporters who fail to reason or those who cannot for a minute allow their association with the actor to not muddy the water of judgement/reason. Even during Hitler’s massacre of the Jews, he was supported by some people who hailed him and incessantly said he was not doing anything bad.

After reading KKD’s personal apology to Miss Ewuraffe Orleans Thompson, I asked myself; so where are those who defended this man for his actions—and sworn that he did not do anything wrong, be it legally, morally or religiously?

Of course, we are not stupid and the speculation of there having been some sort of settlement or pay off from KKD and his people to Miss Ewuraffe Orleans Thompson’s family seems the most plausible answer to the sudden U-turn.

Cunningly and perhaps in accordance with his hard fought for terms of the settlement, KKD has been short with his words—only accepting that he wronged the girl, apologising and also saying, he has sinned against God with his actions.

It would have been interesting if he went into details as to the nature of the wrong he has done—legal wrong, moral wrong, religious wrong or all the three, so that those credulous defenders will think twice the next time such a case falls on their laps.
If you stood up to defend KKD in the face of the wrong that was done to Miss Ewuraffe Orleans Thompson that night at the African Regent Hotel, be bold and have the guts to also apologies to her—just as the man you were defending has shamelessly done.
If he did nothing wrong, shouldn’t the girl be the one apologising to him for everything that has happened?

Source: ghanacelebrities.com

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Eazzy To Release New Single On January 19

Eazzy aka 'The first Lady' has come again reloaded and she expected to release the first single off the her third album on the 19th of January 2015 .

The Single titled #Ginger features francophone /Ghanaian Sk Blinks music star popular known as SK Originale .

Eazzy took to her social media to release the artwork for her up coming new single and it went viral all over twitter and instagram.

Fans of Eazzy have been patiently waiting since the afrobeats super star announced last year she was spending sleepless nights in the studio recording and cooking African hits for her loyal fans.

Well we are all in suspense to hear the amazing collaboration which is said to have an afrobeats francophone feel.

Good to know Eazzy is reaching higher grounds.international appeal is always what is desired by all artist and the best way to make success in Africa is good music that pleases most countries

A newly rebranded Eazzy shared this sexy clean and hot picture as the official promo artwork for ginger.stay tuned till 18th to listen download and share #Ginger.

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Knii Lante To Perform At Rebel Salute

Ghanaian singer Knii Lante is gearing up for his first major performance in Jamaica -- Rebel Salute -- on Friday.

This is Lante's third trip to Jamaica and he is determined to make a lasting impression.

"I was in Jamaica in May last year when I launched my album True Feelings at Redbones. Performing at Rebel Salute has been a dream of mine, especially after meeting Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrica when I did the remix of my song Baby Take Good Care. I will be performing songs from the album so I am excited about that," he told the Jamaica Observer.

A physician by profession, Lante grew up in the city of Accra. He recorded his second album, True Feelings, at Grafton Studios in Kingston with producers Mikey Bennett and Dean Fraser.

Its first single, Baby Take Good Care, was a minor hit in Ghana. Singer Cherine Anderson is featured on the Fraser-produced track Loving You which was released two weeks ago.

Lante, who is in his early 40s, won the 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Award for Best Video for the original version of Baby Take Good Care.

As a youth, Lante said he listened to African artistes including Wulomei, Osibisa and Fela Kuti. Later, he discovered reggae through Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, as well as the pop music of Abba, Michael Jackson and Babyface.

In 2010 he released his debut album Love and Revolution.

The January 16-17 Rebel Salute takes place at Richmond Estate in St Ann, Jamaica.

Source: jamaicaobserver.com

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