Friday 30 May 2014

The State of the Nation: We must now pray for rain.......



Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Energy Minister
 

Title: Pray for rains to end power crisis -Energy Minister rallies Ghanaians
Dated: 28-5-2014

The Minister of Energy  Emmanuel Armah Buah, has urged Ghanaians to pray to God for enough rains into the dams to deal with the erratic power supply currently plaguing the country.

Pointing out this divine option on Metro TV's Good Evening Ghana program Tuesday,  Mr. Buah rallied Ghanaians saying "what we have to do is to pray that this year the rains will come enough for Bui [dam] to give us at least 200 megawatts".

This is not the first time Ghanaians have been asked to pray for rains.

In 2007, a group of Ghanaian pastors impressed by President Kufuor's hope that "God will not allow the Akosombo dam to hang" met to pray for rains when Ghana faced a similar crisis.

Ghana's panacea to the current energy crisis has been laid down to two options - reliance on water to power Akosombo, Kpong and Bui dams or reliance on thermal plants.

The thermal plants need either light crude oil deemed expensive or gas which is expected to be ready by September, the Minister announced.

Funding for light crude is currently not available to VRA. Government has already spent half a billion dollars on procuring the expensive resource.

Ghana's option for some relief is rains, the Minister explained.

"[With] the water levels at Bui right now there is no way it can give us the margins supposed to give us. Bui[dam] is only giving us 90 megawatts, [Instead of the 400 megawatts]. If we overdraw the water we have to shut that plant down", he warned.

Ghana has entered its rainy season and flooding has been reported  last Tuesday in parts of the country.

"I am praying that the rains will come. We are hoping that the rains will be enough this year", a hopeful Minister of Energy said.

A history of neglect turns to daily regrets
According to the Minister, ever since two dams - Akosombo and Kpong dams - were built in 1962 and 1972 respectively, Ghana has not been able to add significant power to the national grid until crisis beckons.

An energy crisis in the 1990's  fueled  government's acquisition of a thermal barge in 1997 to support the two dams. And another crisis in 2007 inspired the building of the Bui Dam with a generation capacity of 400 megawatts.

With the current 2012-2014 crisis, there are frantic efforts to get in gas.

Why gas?
"The future of our electricity is going to be thermal generation. Those thermal plants need a lot of gas", Emmanuel Buah told host Paul Adom Otchere.

Ghana gets 55% of its power from hydro and 44.4%  from thermal.

The whole enclave of Aboadze Thermal generates 550 megawatts. But 330 megawatts of this amount is off because of a faulty compressor which is expected to be ready in June. Another unit producing 100 megawatts is also faulty.

This has left the Aboadze Thermal plant with only 100 megawatts triggering a crisis.

In addition, powering the thermal plants is also an expensive challenge. Government spent $3million a day for 8 months after Nigeria was unable to supply Ghana gas through the West African Gas pipeline.

Experts agree, buying light crude oil is not sustainable and therefore a cheaper alternative of getting gas is the way to go.

This gas is said to be on course.

According to Emmanuel Buah, "120million  cubic feets of gas is going to give us 400 megawatts of power...cheap..there will be reduction in tariffs".

Preparing for private sector support
He said the introduction of Independent Power Producers who will use cheap gas will surely reduce the cost of electricity "dramatically".

"This year we have signed about 5 IPPs and a process that will take them one year, we have shortened it and some of them have finished in three months....because we are cutting through the red tape...bringing some urgency", the Minister pointed out.

He said to attract IPPs, huge electricity bills owed by government agencies must be paid. Government has since ordered  its agencies and parastatals to be put on pre-paid meters  so they take responsibility for their use of power.

The Minister revealed, Ministries, Metropolitan Assemblies, state institutions and agencies  have a combined bill of  Gh¢ 1bn on government's desk waiting to be settled.

While Ghana waits for IPPs to use cheap gas to reduce  cost of power, Ghanaians have been asked to call on God for rains as the best short-term measure against the frustrating erratic power.



Nana Aba says: Ghanaian politicians must keep Heaven out of their corrupt little political games. Where was 'God' & 'praying' when they were looting the nation's Kente purse? Ghana's small GDP has become their 'very' own personal bank account -but we, the public, the great unwashed -must pray, -can you imagine??? You can not make this up!!!!

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Rest in Perfect Peace Maya Angelou



 
 
 
Malcolm and Maya Angelou in Accra, Ghana in 1964...
 
 
 

"While the rest of the world has been improving technology, Ghana has been improving the quality of man's humanity to man." - Maya Angelou
 
 


"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." -Maya Angelou

"Years ago I did a movie called Poetic Justice, and there was a young man the first day who cursed so, I couldn’t believe it. I walked around, behind him, tried to ignore him. But the second day, he and another young man, a black man, ran to each other and were about to fight. Hundreds of extras started to run away. But one black man walked up to the two young men, and I walked up, and I took one by his shoulder. I said, ‘Let me speak to you.’ … He finally calmed down, and I said, ‘Do you know how much you are needed? Do you know what you mean to us? Do you know that hundreds of years of struggle have been for you? Please baby, take a minute.’ … I put my arm around him. He started to weep. The tears came down. That was Tupac Shakur. I took him, I walked him down into a little gully and kept his back to the people so they wouldn’t see him, and I used my hands to dry his cheeks". Maya Angelou

 

Kofi and His Magic by Maya Angelou
 
http://ghanarising.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/most-coveted-luxury-gifts-in-world-2011.html)

 

"You may write me down in history with you bitter twisted lies. You may trod me in the very dirt. BUT STILL LIKE DUST I WILL." RISE.MAYA ANGULOU

 
 
"You want me to do something...tell me I can't do it" - Maya Angelou



"I do not trust people who don't love themselves and yet tell me, I love you. There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt." Maya Angelou




"I've been blessed to have Maya Angelou as my mentor, mother/sister, and friend since my 20’s. She was there for me always, guiding me through some of the most important years of my life. The world knows her as a poet but at the heart of her, she was a teacher. ‘When you learn, teach. When you get, give’ is one of my best lessons from her.

She won three Grammys, spoke six languages and was the second poet in history to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration. But what stands out to me most about Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, it’s how she lived her life. She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence and a fierce grace. I loved her and I know she loved me. I will profoundly miss her. She will always be the rainbow in my clouds." Oprah Winfrey

 

 

 
"Today we lost a global treasure with the passing of Dr. Maya Angelou. When her friend Nelson Mandela passed away last year, she wrote that "No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again, and bring the dawn." US Embassy Ghana
 
 
 
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Maya Angelou

 

"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return." Maya Angelou
 
 

"There have only been a handful of people in my life who have moved me, inspired me, encouraged me, and helped mold the man I am today. One of those people would be Dr. Maya Angelou. She was a woman I called "friend".

Her words and her spirit are too powerful to leave this earth with her passing. Her legacy and poems will take wings, forever landing at the foundation of anything that betters humanity. Dr. Maya Angelou will live on in all of us who called her a phenomenal woman, phenomenally.. She is loved and will be missed." Tyler Perry
 


 
"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within." Maya Angelou
 
 
 
Paulina says: I have loved phenomenal woman, American poet and author Maya Angelou --I feel, like everybody else, --until today!!!

When I heard of Maya Angelou's passing --I went into shock, started crying and knew then, ---that I loved her much deeper than I thought, I truly had no idea!!!

My truth ---like Nelson Mandela, I like the world better with Maya Angelou in it. I am heart broken...

Rest in Perfect Peace Maya Angelou -I can't believe you are no longer here but your grace and dignity will live on forever!!! http://mayaangelou.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MayaAngelou

Ghana's Mega Budget Deficit causing more chaos.....


 Title:Ghana’s Cedi Retreats Past 3 Per Dollar 1st Time in Record Slump
 Dated: 27 May 2014

Ghana’s cedi retreated to a record low, falling past 3 per dollar for the first time on concern that foreign-exchange reserves are dwindling as the country struggles to narrow its budget deficit.
The currency of the world’s second-biggest cocoa producer weakened 2.3 percent to 3.025 per dollar by 3:46 p.m. in Accra, the capital. That’s the biggest drop in the world today after Somali shilling among more than 150 currencies tracked by Bloomberg. Its year-to-date loss of 21 percent is the worst in Africa.

Ghana’s fiscal gap reached 10.8 percent of gross domestic product in 2013, wider than a budget forecast of 9 percent, the central bank said in April. A rising civil-servant wage bill, tax collection that missed targets and slumping export earnings weighed on revenue. Reserves dropped 9.8 percent to $4.7 billion in March, according to Bloomberg calculations made using central bank data.

“Offshore players are still concerned over the outlook for the fiscal deficit and falling levels of foreign reserves,” Elvis Darku, head of fixed-income trading at the Ghanaian unit of Access Bank Plc, said by phone today. “This has resulted in the high pricing of the dollar by the few people including banks that have some for sale.”

The gap will probably exceed 10 percent of GDP for a third consecutive year in 2014, Moody’s Investors Service said in February. The median of four analysts in a Bloomberg survey conducted from May 16 to May 21 projects an average 2014 deficit of 9.1 percent.

Auction Canceled

“The situation is exacerbated by the absence of fresh portfolio flows into Ghana’s fixed income market,” Samir Gadio, London-based emerging-markets strategist at Standard Bank Plc, said by e-mail today. “The marginal pace of fiscal consolidation is not helping in terms of confidence in the foreign-exchange regime.”
The West African nation canceled a planned auction of 100 million cedis ($33 million) of seven-year bonds today, Yao Abalo, head of treasury at the central bank, said by phone. He declined to give reasons for the first ever cancellation of the duration. A 300 million-cedi five-year bond sale was canceled in March while the country sold barely half of the 400 million cedis three-year notes that it offered on April 24.
Companies are still seeking dollars to pay for imports into West Africa’s second-biggest economy, Darku said. “The supply on the market can just not meet the level of demand.”
Ghana, which allows foreign investors to buy cedi bonds of three-year duration and above, has depended on the inflows to help shore up its foreign reserves.

“Considering the funding needs of banks, the seven-year is too long for them to want to invest in it,” Anthony Kofi Asare, head of treasury at Ghana Commercial Bank, the nation’s biggest lender, said by phone. “The central bank has increased the cash-reserve ratio for banks, so they are really tight at the moment.”

The Bank of Ghana raised the cash-reserve ratio for lenders to 11 percent from 9 percent on April 10.


Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-27/ghanaian-cedi-retreats-below-3-for-first-time-in-record-slump.html

Paulina says: If you love Ghana like I do -you will know that you need a very strong stomach to stomach what is going on in that great nation. It appears all the good works and yummy buzz that striking oil caused/created has been destroyed by this government.

The thing is.....there really isn't a government or body in our sweet mother-home-land Ghana that can turn this around!!! We are corrupt, in fact, we are beyond corrupt --and need some sort of spiritual intervention, only our sooo called men of God are also corrupt!!!

Still we have to believe Father God is still in control --and that our answer is coming soon -Amen.

Travel: Sheila's Executive Hotel & Lodge -Sunyani, Ghana





 



Do watch the above clip via: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_0Q8ZG3vO0


 
Whether travelling to Sunyani, for business or pleasure, guests of the Sheila's Executive Hotel & Lodge enjoy a number of advantages including, comfortable, spacious hotel rooms, restaurants, and complimentary Wi-Fi in all guest rooms.

We are exceptional operators Committed to enhancing the time our guest spend with us by heightening our rich heritage experience through our hospitality and contributing to sustainable, consistent and efficient Hotel service for Our Customers, Stakeholders, Partners, Employees and for the society in general.

Paulina says: I have personally never stayed at Sheila's Executive Hotel & Lodge in Sunyani, Ghana but its looks alright...

the thing is.....I don't think Sheila's hotel is about 5'000 thread count crisp white Egyptian cotton bedsheets, expensive spa treatments, the latest gym techniques, or El Anatsui and Owusu-Ankomah art, I can see the poly-cotton sheets from here, --but I do believe its clean and standard for those travelling to Sunyani for business or a short stay... For more info about Sheila's Executive Hotel & Lodge in Sunyani, Ghana visit: http://sheilashospitality.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sheilashospitalitygh
 
 

Monday 26 May 2014

Night Life: Tic-Tac Reserved Lounge & Night Club, Kumasi Ghana



 Rapper D-Black and friend at Tic-Tac Reserved Lounge & Night Club, Kumasi Ghana......


 
Paulina says: Can you Adam & Eve it, Kumasi has another haute night club & bar!!!!

Rapper Tic-Tac's Tic-Tac Reserved Lounge & Night Club located at Dr Anane Road, Patasi, Ashanti, Ghana inside VIP hotel, -is making headwaves and drawing sophisticates to Kumasi -and making the locals very happy.

I'm thinking.......if things carry on at this pace in Kumasi, even without the late President Gaddafi's money, -Ghana might yet become a two city State (laughter). For more details about Kumasi's latest hotspot Tic-Tac Reserved Lounge & Night Club visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tic-Tac-Reserved-LoungeNight-Club/214646725352501

 

More Info
TIC-TAC RESERVED IS YOUR #1 AFTER WORK HANG OUT, LOUNGE / SPORTS BAR & NIGHT CLUB RIGHT IN KUMASI

@TIC-TAC RESERVED, WE OFFER YOU ASSORTED DRINKS AND COCKTAILS, A POOL TABLE, MOUTH WATERING FLAVORS FROM OUR GRILL AS WELL AS EXCITING LIVE FOOTBALL AND OTHER SPORTS ACTIVITIES ON THREE DIFFERENT GIANT SCREENS.

CATCH ALL THE FUN & EXCITEMENT AND MEET WITH YOUR FAVOURITE CELEBRITIES AND MANY MORE.

DJ'S ON ROTATION INCLUDE, DJ CHAMPAGNE, DJ FISH, DJ KRIZZ & B ICE PLUS GUEST INTERNATIONAL DJ'S

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US ON 0266764614 OR 0244372322

FOLLOW OUR TWITTER HANDLE @TICTACRESERVED
 

Fashion: Sark★ Collections branches into with womenswear.............






 

"Female Collections are in!! Call and Visit us 2mor... grab urs cos we got limited editions." Sark★ Collections
 

 

Paulina says: Rapper & BET award winner Michael Kwesi Owusu aka Sarkodie's Sark★ Collections has grown from strength to strength and now has a new womenswear collection...

Probably the only truly successful fashion label by a musician in Ghana, -Sarkodie's Sark★ Collections has captured the imagination of the nations youth and celebrities alike...

Street fabulous, sexy and on-trend, Sarkodie fans and urbanistas are loving the above garbs from this new S/S 2014 female collection.

I must confess, I'm pretty impressed with the first photo -I think its uber fabulous -with the right model, right outfit, good styling et al -good for team Sark -who continue to teach middle Ghana about how to do branding.

For more info about Sark Collections' new female fashion line visit: http://www.sarkcollection.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SarkCollections

 

More Info
Sark Collection is a leading fashion brand that incorporates the scene of style of clothing of Sarkodie, which comes with an innovative intricate details, class and style. Our brand is designed and built around Michael Kwesi Owusu (SARKODIE). Sarkodie is a Ghanaian top notch and award‐winning rapper who has entrenched his impervious personality in the annals of the music industry.
We are united in our vision, mission and values. We have a diverse workforce offering a range of skills. Our culture focuses not on what we do, but on how we do it. If we focus on the how, the future that we wish to attain will follow.
Sark remains one of the most impressive full lifestyle brands in Ghana. We are dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding products.
 

Ghana Rising Hearts Virgil Abloh




 Virgil Abloh and Kanye West in black....

 

 
Behind the Scenes with Virgil Abloh, Kanye West's Style Adviser


 
 

 

"My parents are from Ghana, and I grew up in Chicago, but for some reason, this lifestyle, shabby chic—it’s grown [on me] since I got older." Virgil Abloh

 

 

Paulina says: I first clocked Virgil Abloh on that episode of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' --you know the one where Kanye proposed to Kim, --and just knew Abloh was a Ghanaian name!!!

I made a note to google Mr Abloh but as always, life got in the way, and then the whole hullabaloo about that 'wedding' started and up popped that name again -and got me wondering, who is Virgil Abloh!!!!

Then a simple tap on la Internet and wooosh -the fabulous, eclectic and uber creative world of Chicago-raised, fashion designer, architect, Kanye's creative director and stylist, DJ and all round man-around-town came to light.

I found out that Virgil was a big part of team Kanye. That he was the man behind Kanye's evolution from street rapper to front-row/creative/cultured respected fashion insider, -and --also the man behind successful urban label Pyrex Vision -and now,---haute fashion house Off-White, a more high-end unisex label.

I know I always say this but I'm not surprised that one of the most powerful black male fashion insiders from across the pond, one of the big wigsss behind Le Kanye 'creative' team is Ghanaian ---Ghanaian men are the best dressed men on the planet after all -period.

I would love to see Mr Virgil Abloh doing something in Ghana, maybe showing his new Off--White collection at this years Ghana Fashion & Design Week (GFDW).

For more info about Virgil Abloh and his new Off White collection visit: http://www.off---white.com/
http://instagram.com/virgilabloh
https://www.facebook.com/virgilabloh1715

 

Do read to following interviews
http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/12/virgil-abloh-is-inspired-by-martha-stewart.html
http://www.style.com/stylefile/2013/12/virgil-abloh-kanye-west-off-white/
 

A Must Event: Retail Congress Africa -18 - 19 November 2014 at Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg



Topic: Ghana: Rising middle class creates Africa’s new retail hotspot

14:30 - 15:15 | Tuesday 18 November 2014
 
As the gateway to West Africa with over 250 million consumers, political stability and cultural tolerance, Ghana is setting an interesting example for a positive business environment. The size of the middle class is still small, but is growing at a rapid pace, thereby providing the base for the demand for convenience and variety that is offered by super- and hypermarkets.
  • What is the future of this promising hot-spot and how can retail business grow sustainably in Ghana?
This session will discuss strategies for reaching the rising local middle class

Source: https://www.worldretailcongressafrica.com/session/ghana-rising-middle-class-creates-africa%E2%80%99s-new-retail-hotspot



Paulina says: I think Retail Congress Africa 2014 is a must for all in the high-end retail market in Ghana/Africa and beyond. If you're thinking of getting into said industry or expanding in Africa -you must be part of this event. Also, fab industry insiders imparting wisdom include: Chris Bishop, Editor in Chief for Forbes Africa, Yaw Nsarkoh, Managing Director, Unilever East and Southern Africa, --Therese Gearhart, President of Coca-Cola Southern Africa -- and Jose Gomez, Senior Vice President, International Expansion for Mango. To register your interest visit: https://www.worldretailcongressafrica.com/content/register-your-interest

For more info visit: https://www.worldretailcongressafrica.com/


More Info:
In November 2013, the first Retail Congress Africa brought together Pan-African and international retail stakeholders to discuss the bright future everyone is talking about. Over 300 of the most senior retail professionals met to understand the opportunities, explore growth strategies and assess how best to reach the savvy new consumers of Africa.
As we look towards 2014, the 2nd Retail Congress Africa will build on its success, providing deeper insight into the African retail opportunities and challenges. Once again, the retail industry will give their input, the entire value chain of the global ecosystem will be represented and the industry will once again have the chance to shape and define its future

The only platform to discuss the future of the pan-African retail industry.

What's new for 2014?

  1. Transformed agenda: In-depth research with international and regional retail stakeholders is shaping the Retail Congress Africa agenda from scratch. Experts share their thoughts and beliefs on what will make the exciting African retail industry tick and actively define the topics for discussion
  2. More retailers -Meet the right people to do business with in Africa. With over 75% of attendees being retailers, you’ll meet your peers and be part of the crucial discussions around the future of African retail
  3. Facilitated networking activities - Lunch briefings, roundtables, drinks and networking activities are at the core of the Retail Congress Africa to ensure you meet the right people to grow your business
  4. Enhanced speaker faculty - the 2014 speaker faculty will feature over 70 retail expert speakers including inspirational keynotes and real how to case studies of entering new markets and understanding the new African consumer 
 

"Nothing happens until something moves." Albert-Einstein



 

"Before something great happens, everything falls apart."



Paulina says: Here's to hoping better times are coming to Ghana -Amen.

Sunday 18 May 2014

"To be authentic and true, sometimes you have to be alone. Not because you don't want friends, or value people or want people around you, but because where you are at -right now is not for the faint hearted, and because you are surviving that 'place' by God's merciful grace -one unrelenting minute at a time." Paulina Opoku-Gyimah



 

"Its becoming far too expensive to be a Ghanaian." Paulina Opoku-Gyimah

 

"As we speak today, every Ghanaian, including babies who are born as we speak owe GHC 2, 000,” Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu



 

The Next Big Thing in Music: A.I. (Ayisi Ican)









Do remember to watch via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TsrcUFsgTo


Title: Ghanaian R&B/Hip-Hop Artiste wins US-based competition
dated: 16th -5-2014

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely recognized as the world’s most prestigious and respected songwriting competition, has announced its 2013 winners.
For the first time in ISC’s 13-year history, an artiste from Ghana, A.I. (Ayisi Ican), has won First Place in a category, taking home the prestigious award in R&B/Hip-Hop for his song “Anger Management.”


Established in 2002, ISC awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to amateur and professional songwriters around the world. Past ISC winners include Gotye, Bastille, The Band Perry, Passenger, Kasey Chambers, King Charles, Lindsey Stirling, Andrew Bird, NZ phenoms Gin Wigmore and Kimbra, and many more.

Winners were selected by a panel of judges which included, among others, Imagine Dragons, Martina McBride, Joshua Redman, Josh Turner, Keane, Garbage, Dido, Jon Secada, Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.), James Cotton, Boney James, Jason Isbell, and Anoushka Shankar.

Judges also included the top echelon of music industry executives, including Monte Lipman (Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Republic Records), Dan McCarroll (President, Warner Bros. Records), Alison Donald (Co-President, Columbia Records UK) and many more.

Founder and Director Candace Avery states, “We are thrilled that an artiste from Ghana has won First Place in one of the competition’s categories. This is the first time that this has happened, so now we are hoping that more artistes from Ghana will enter and excel. A.I. is an exceptionally talented songwriter and performer, and he greatly deserves this honor.”

Born in Accra, Ghana, Emmanuel Kwadwo Oware, known by his stage name as A.I. (Ayisi Ican), is a Ghanaian Afro pop, Hip-Hop and R&B artiste.

In 2009, he was discovered by executives of an independent record company, 2Ligit Records. Since his signing to 2Ligit Records he has recorded over 200 songs at 2Ligit’s AfricanZone Studio. Mixtape Mayhem, his debut mixtape, was released in December, 2013 and has over 800,000 plays.

A.I.’s music is inspired by songs by artistes such as 2pac and Youssou Ndour. A.I has performed at shows where he shared the stage with internationally recognized Ghanaian artistes such as Sarkodie, Wanlov The Kubolor, and Mensah.

A.I’s style of writing and versatility has made him a very unique artiste in the Ghanaian community.

The overall 2013 Grand Prize is awarded to a Japanese artist: jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger Shunzo Ohno for his song “Musashi.” This is the first time in ISC’s 13-year history that the Grand Prize has been awarded to either a songwriter in the Jazz category or an artist from Japan. One of the leading jazz trumpet players in his native Japan by the age of 19, Shunzo Ohno moved to New York City in 1974 to perform with jazz legend Art Blakey & The Messengers.

Since then, he has performed and toured with many of the world’s greatest jazz artists, including Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, Larry Coryell, Machito & His Afro-Cuban Orchestra, and many more. With numerous recordings under his own name as a leader, he has also appeared on over 30 more as a sideman and has collaborated on two Grammy winning recordings.

Surviving both a serious car accident in which his teeth and lips were permanently damaged and a later bout of throat cancer which forced him to relearn his playing, he is a testament to determination and courage, even inspiring a biography and documentary in Japan about his life.


Credit/Source: http://ghanalinx.com/ghanaian-rbhip-hop-artiste-wins-us-based-competition/




Paulina says: Beyond happy to have stumbled upon the talent that is A.I via the Ghana Link website. Truly, its been sometime since I felt a buzz for a musician -and I believe Emmanuel Kwadwo Oware aka A.I. (Ayisi Ican) is the real deal and the, 'Next Big Thing' ....thus, I'm really excited and will be keeping my Ghana Rising eye on him. I will endeavour to keep you in the loop. For more information about A.I visit: http://www.reverbnation.com/AIgh

 

More info:
Versatility and sublime talent describe this Hip-Hop, Pop and R&B artist hailing from Adenta in Accra. AI brings fourth an eclectic style which is not confined to the traditional genre barriers.

A.I’s primary interest in music stemmed from his father who was a drummer in a London church band called "Tema Highway Lights". Whenever he returned home, he brought with him countless musical instruments and albums, slowly cultivating the young artist within.

Creatively, A.I had some brief encounters with music, studying keyboard at African Studies, Legon and taking up drumming lessons at the Assemblies of God Church when he was in primary school. It was not until Senor Secondary School 3, however, that he started taking music seriously, recording his first track with Storm and Lyrics.

Prior to signing on to 2ligit Records, AI released hit singles "Tonight" and "Certified Love" which received airplay from numerous radio stations subsequently attracting attentions from the labels A&R department . He is currently recording his debut album under 2ligit, which will be comprised of mainly Hip Hop, pop and R&B tracks. This album is scheduled to be released Christmas 2012.

AI’s music is inspired by Big L, Notorious BIG, 2Pak Shakur and Desmond Dekker.

Education: Celebrating Nana Yaa Antwi-Gyamfi



Title: Ghanaian Emerges Tops At London School of Economics
Dated: 23-1-2014

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) named a Ghanaian student as the overall best performer in the Organisational Behaviour Programme at its graduation ceremony in 2013.

Nana Yaa Antwi-Gyamfi, 26, beat 25 other students in her programme to receive the prize from the prestigious university, where she had been studying for her master̢۪s degree on a Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) scholarship.

No stranger to academic success, Ms Antwi-Gyamfi, who graduated from LSE with distinction, has a long history of scholastic achievements dating back to her days in junior high school, where she obtained 10 As.

From there, she only grew, placing second in Ghana in the 2005 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and being named the best candidate in General Arts.

At the University of Ghana, she majored in Accounting and graduated with First Class honours in the Business Administration programme.

Ms Antwi-Gyamfi, who plans to stay within the realm of academia and hopes to pursue a Ph.D in the near future, said her early love for reading had really been beneficial to her studies and advised other students that reading was key.

“It not only gives you a strong grasp of the English language but also opens your mind to different angles,” she said.

She advised students against the mindset that particular subjects were “off base” for some people and stressed the importance of focus and determination in overcoming challenges.

“I really didn’t like Mathematics, but I kept working at it and got better. I would just like to tell people that it isn’t true that some people are not good at certain things,” she explained.

Finding a balance so that one did not become single-focused was also very important, according to Ms Antwi-Gyamfi, who is heavily involved in her Accra church’s drama group and is also an aspiring poet and writer on the side.

Above all, she said she believed that it was by the grace of God that she was able to achieve so much.
On what was next, Ms Antwi-Gyamfi said she hoped to use her skills to help bridge the gap between academia and the real business world, ensuring that academic theories translated into functioning business practices here in Ghana.

“While I can definitely see the attraction of remaining abroad, I think this is where most of the skills and knowledge are needed. Ghana will always be home,” she said.



Credit/Source: http://ghanalinx.com/ghanaian-emerges-tops-at-london-school-of-economics/

Paulina says: Fabulous

Saturday 17 May 2014

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014: the Good, the weave and the polyester..... Red Carpet Looks.......



The best dressed of the night goes to these two lovely ladies above!!! -Sorry I don't know their names but they look fabulous (and clean and fresh)...

 


Deborah Vanessa
 

Paulina says: Deborah Vanessa is one of the most stylish women in Ghana, but lately, I don't know what it is -but she's been getting experimental and it sometimes doesn't work, like the look above.

The thing is...... if you look at the pieces she's wearing separately, each is really quiet lovely but thrown together -and worn with pop socks and court shoes ---is just wrong!!!

Her lovely face, cute figure and smile as always --are winners but she must leave this little-bow-peep meets Snow White meets Cinderella meets Dorothy alone -she is not a cartoon figure but a grown arse stylish woman.

Deborah Vanessa gets an OK




 

Andrea Manuela Giaccaglia

 

Paulina says: I love fragrant socialite Andrea Manuela Giaccaglia -don't you? Andrea Manuela Giaccaglia, I love her name tooo, is always soooo well turned out and clean...and smooth!!!!

The thing is.....it truly doesn't matter whether electricity is on in Ghana's capital Accra or not, ---whether water is flowing or not, ----La Giaccaglia never disappoints.

Sticking to her well groomed, cute as a button, lovely smile, glossy, clean 'all-mine-own hair' styleee, well it isn't broke, --Ms Andrea who choose this cute dress by Duaba Serwa looked a treat, and should be the bench mark for all those wanting to get it right next year.

Andrea Manuela Giaccaglia gets top marks.....

 
**Ps --Has Ms Giaccaglia blocked me on FB? Well if she has -she will not be first (laughter). I guess once Bella whatever starts writing about u -small Ghanaian bloggers no longer matter, can you imagine?. Still love her though (laughter).
 

 


Joselyn Dumas
 

Paulina says; This is a lovely day dress -fab for a lunch date or a day at the races -say, but sooo not dressy enough for a Music Awards ceremony.

Yes sister Joselyn Dumas's hips don't lie -and don't we all know it ---but I miss her more subtle sexy dresses.

Where have all those LBD's, elegant evening gowns and structured pieces gone?

All we get now -are what I call arse dresses, not that its bad -you hear, only, I'm over it. Plus, now that Peace Hyde is doing this 'LOOK' our Joselyn Dumas must do more high-end-high-fashion, more sophisticated, more structured looks.

Still, I'm soooo loving Joselyn Dumas's uber on-trend sexy studded Valentino sling-backs thus --she wins best shoe of the night.

Joselyn Dumas gets a fabulous OK.





Mzbel
 
Paulina says: I wrote a piece way back about the fashion and beauty transformation of Mzbel --and never got the chance to post --thus, I'm pleased to have the opportunity to share just how pleased I am to see this still-not-there-yet ---hopeful future stylish musician really upping her game in terms of her garb/skin/make-up and putting her best foot forward.

The thing is, Mzbel has never reallly been on Ghana's best dressed list has she? Her blotchy skin, rough 80's make-up and local gal hairstyles and shiny shiny maame, maame dresses can be found all over the internet -thus for some, it doesn't matter what she does -she will always be that JJC (Jackie Just Come) 'local' gal!!!

 --But I'm impressed with her transformation ---and this blingy dress which fits her like a glove. It shows off her lovely figure, remember Mzbel had a baby last year -so clap for her!!!!

La Bel's make-up isn't perfect, her eyebrows are typically Ghanaian and painted on (mercy), the pearly pink lipstick is still a cause for concern but, she does appear for the first time in her life to have OK skin, ---like it could be smooth!!!

Basically, Mzbel looks clean -and washed, something that must be achieved if you want to look good. She must really aim for that groomed to within an inch of her life look --like rich women do, next year!!!!

Mzbel get an: OK


 
 

Efya
 


Paulina says: I don't know what it is but like Eazzy, Efya never looks groomed or smooth. I don't know what it is --but she always looks kind of 'local', ---its possible she might just have to sort out her skin, still there does appear to be something of a fashion metamorphosis going on -as she's been clever enough to hook up with Ghana's premier stylists, House of Cramer.

Its been very hard to find a photo of Ms of Efya on her own at said event -she doesn't have an image of herself alone on the VGMA red carpet on her Facebook fan page (????) but you can see a fab one via House of Cramer's Instagram page.

Anywaysssssssssss Efya who wore a fierce corset by Accra based fashion label Pistis and sexy trousers by Bakers-Woode looked OK on the night.

It was a lovely trendy look but I wasn't loving her hair, I wish she would smooth out her edges, and opted for a more glamorous dress, still -this is the best I've ever seen her.

 
Efya gets a fierce OK and a stylish well done.

 
 



Sandra Ankobiah
 

 
Paulina says: Sandra Ankobiah is a star, and has been on La Ghana Rising Blog's best dressed list forever -and rightly sooo, but this dress, --well the bottom half with its heavy man-made lace-curtain thingy that aspires to be tulle is a -mess.

Sandra Ankobiah as always kept it simple (something we must all do), but she should have demanded that the designer behind this dress uses a cream or the same colour as the top half, in the most delicate 'real' silk tulle to finish the bottom half of this could-have-been-gorgeous dress before she wore it..

Ms Sandra's hair also looks ok!! Of late, she's been sporting a big head of weaves, sooo I'm happy she put opted to put her hair up her (and away), as it softens her face and jawline and lets her face breathe (and we all need to breathe don't we)!!! Her make-up as always -was lovely and she looked happy.

Sandra Ankobiah gets an OK.

 



 

Mimi Divalish


Paulina says: I have a soft spot for Ms Mimi and would love to see more of her in Ghana's errrmmm music industry!!!

For me, Paulina Nana Aba, ---there has always been something very aspirational and somewhat elegant about La Divalish.

If you look closely at Mimi she always [even if its not executed properly] knows what suits her shape -remember most don't.

Also, Mimi is soooo on-point with her pointy silver shoes and clutch -go gal, but  ---I'm a bit disappointed, I was hoping Ms Divalish who has a 'face' was still sporting her lovely natural short hairstyle.

Anywaysssss, I love this outfit and feel if she still had her short natural hairdo, --would have been the best dressed on the night, --instead this Maame water weave is drowning her and leaving her without a neck, but note ---from the shoulders down, -Ms Mimi looks fab.

Mimi Divalish gets a lovely OK.

 





 
MzVee
 
 

Paulina says: I sort of recognised MzVee from a Ghana based girl band that I blogged about years ago, but couldn't quite remember her name -but now I know (and sooo do you) ---plus, she rocks -no? 

Part of a growing number of Ghana's returnee haute young things running Accra, -songstress Vee's Afro-tastic hair and make-up are fierce!!!!

With regards to the whole look, I feel La Vee gets it and is carrying what I believe is a YSL chain bag (lush) and statement watch, but the dress, even though it fits her sexy shape like a glove, and looks good from afar ---should have been made from a more expensive elegant natural fabric.

That shiny, shiny --'dancing with the stars' market bought material, just look at the bottom half (mercy), has practically eaten that dress alive!!!! Still, I wanna see more of this future style maven.

MzVee gets a lovely Ok...

 
 





 
Marian Toure, MultiTV presenter

Paulina says: I love beautiful MultiTV presenter, Marian Toure. She is one of the few professional women on Ghana television who always looks lovely and well groomed.

With her pretty clear skin, fab soft dark glossy hair, fresh make-up and gorgeous smile, Ms Toure never disappoints, but I wish she had opted for a longer, much dressier dress for said event.

-Still I'm thankful she didn't feel the need to add polyester net curtains to the bottom of her dress -as was the theme of the night.

 
Marian Toure gets a lovely OK.






 
 
Regina

Paulina says: I don't know much about Regina, but she really is 'an' all-Ghanaian-gal -no?? The drawn on eyebrows,  and errrm big, big reddish brown, wavy fake side parted weave thingy, --I just wonder , -how many bundles of hair was need for this errrm look?

Anywaysssss, I would have love to see the complete look, her figure looks to die for and she has a lovely smile ---plus, I bet, like all Ghanaian women, -she has the most beautiful, healthy, glossy black hair underneath all that Maame water weave...

Presenter Regina gets an OK.

 

 

 

Nana Ama McBrown



Paulina says: I think Nana Ama McBrown had one of those 'moments' -you know the ones, where you're just about to leave your house and you notice your must-wear shiny, shiny stretchy polyester  body-con dress is far tooo short -but you just don't have the time or 'a' second good dress to put on --soo you pick up a pretty lace wrap, cover your nash and strut (note it takes a lot of balls to do this)!!!!

Anywayssssss as I love national treasure Nana Ama, plus she was involved in a car accident last year ---I'm just going to let her do whatever she wants.....goodness knows she always does. Plus that weight loss (clap for her), her lovely soft smooth skin, cute make-up, gorgeous smile --and her hair isn't tooo bad, --so good for her, but next year Ms Ama must approach Ghana's premier stylists, House of Cramer and up her game.

Nana Ama McBrown gets an ok.....
 
 

 


Eazzy -co-host of this years Ghana Music Awards 2014 (VGMA)



 

Paulina says: Eazzy is a 'one' isn't she? It doesn't matter what she wears or does to her face or hair -she always looks like a local gal -no?

From the blotchy skin, a skin that's very much part of the ---is she/ isn't she bleaching debate, to that over processed damaged hair, always bleached to within an inch of its life, with desperate dark roots or village gal plaits --why?

Eazzy has such a lovely figure and should have skin as smooth as butter (there are numerous spas offering facials and what-have-yous in Ghana -no?) ---but she just never hits the smooth 'groomed' mark!!!

Still she looks OK in the above black and gold Ophelia Crossland gown.

Note, I'm not up-close-and personal but from here (UK) I can tell that the dress is made from man-made fabrics!!!!

Her make-up looks ok but I can bet ya-bottom-dollar that up-close-and personal, its just not the case.

Her hair can do with some treatment -or maybe she should cut it and start again (this will leave her hair dark, healthy, glossy and lovely).
Eazzy gets an OK

 


 


Joyce Blessing
 

Paulina says: Ghanaian gospel artist Joyce Blessing is new to La Ghana Rising Blog's yummy radar -and I wonder why!!!
Like most in the public eye in Ghana -Joyce Blessing is not an innately stylish women and is a ubiquitous lover of stretchy man-made fabric dresses. Why one of these persona's can't just take some silk or delicate silk tulle or lace or satin to their seamstress (everybody has one in Ghana) -and have something beautiful that fits perfectly made--I will never know???

Anywayssss, I like-ish her make-up, and her skin looks ok even though some concealer would have been perfect under her eyes, ----but her hair, this local gal OTT (over the top) weave on thingy especially this side-parting 'look' that many LOVE in Ghana ---is slowing making me loose my will to live. It looks like it has been thrown on her head -and needs re-adjusting!!!! Spy also --those 80's Dynasty was sooo good-to-me earrings ---they really are ---toooo much!!!!

In fact all the accessories worn by Ms Blessing are a no, no. All those small, small cheap bangles cheapen what already appears to be a high-street 'fancy' dress.

What sister Joyce needs --is one huge diamante bracelet or one real, bold haute gold bangle (Ghana is the land of gold after all) and a real leather or plain silk satin  clutch' -this heavy metallic wannabe leatherette clutch thingy is only good for girls under the age of 18 or a village funeral.

I can also tell from London (mercy) that this red dress is made from man-made lace, thus has that net curtain look soooo familiar and popular at Ghanaian/African gatherings.

Note, a fabulously designed/well cut/sewn dress made from ordinary Ghanaian wax print cotton cloth would have been more beautiful than this shiny, shiny, stretch polyester lacy dress thingy. Mercifully I can't see her sandals properly thus I'll leave it here.

Joyce Blessing get an OK.

 



Yvonne Okoro



Paulina says: I've been fighting with myself to keep our Yvonne Okoro off this post -as I just don't have anything nice to say about this look -but I couldn't!!!

Not only does Ms Okoro look uncomfortable, but I bet, just looking at this photo -that she spent the whole night pulling at this dress!!!

Tight and heavy, with big wiggy hair and squashed 'lady lumps' ---doesn't compared to how awkward Yvonne looks, plus, the dress should and would have been much longer on a less curvaceous gal -and leaves La Okoro looking short and bigger than she actually is.. Thus, I'm a bit disappointed -Ms Okoro normally gets it right!!!!

Yvonne Okoro gets a better luck next year!!!!
 
 

Beauty: Is Ghanaian songstress Eazzy launching her own lipstick line?




 
"Laaaddiieeesss #EazzyStick Lipstick is almost ready for yal ..but yrr view matters! Out of these 6 colours which would u love to rock and for what sort of ocassion and why . For the men ..which would you love to see ya sister / girlfriend / lover wear ? Drkp ya comments.. #YourViewMatters! 1) HOT PINK
2)BLACK
3) ORANGE
4)RED
5) PURPLE
6) NUDE/NATURAL"
Eazzy



 

Paulina says: I'm going to be brutally honest, Accra based urban artist Eazzy is not La Ghana Rising Blog material, a bit tooooooo, tooooooooooo toooooooo local for me -but as you all know I love business and got a wiff of news that said songstress was about to launch something sooo I visited her facebook page (at least she has one, many Ghanaian celebrities don't have anything) -and low-and-behold I stumbled across the above info and its possible that she's about to launch her own line of make-up or ---just a lipsticks line to start with.

Whatever Eazzy is doing --its fabulous and I wish her all the best. I pray Eazzy might break the mould and not just sell to her fans, or the converted as I call them.

I hope she ups the ante and gets a PR firm behind her and goes big with her brand and marketing -I just don't know why Ghanaians are sooooooooo content with soooo little -and their visions starts and ends with just those they know!!!

Anywayssssssssss good luck to Eazzy, -make-up is soooo elegant, I am sooo surprised!!!!! For more info about Eazzy visit: https://www.facebook.com/eazzy.lynx