Satellites Goalee Daniel Adjei Visits Media Houses

It was a thrilling moment at the Happy Centre which houses media giants Happy FM, Y FM and latest television channel e.tv Ghana when champion goalkeeper Daniel Adjei paid a familiarization visit to the premises on a bright Wednesday afternoon.

The skillful Black Satellites goalee received a rapturous welcome with cheers and smiles from the enthusiastic staff and management of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company at Asylum Down, Accra.

The momentous visit and the excitement it generated was as a result of the splendid performance of the young heroes in the just ended U-20 FIFA World Cup Tournament held in Egypt. The Satellites made Ghana and the entire African continent proud with their determination and emergence as the winners, being the first African nation to bring the cup home in the history of the tournament.

The dynamic staff of Happy FM, Y FM and e.tv Ghana were beside themselves with joy for the pleasant visit of the adroit goalkeeper. After an interesting interview with Sports Presenter Swanzy on Happy Sports Talk, e.tv Ghana News team did not spare any chances to interact and take pictures with the young superstar. Ms. Brooke Nuwati, Senior Corporate Communications Executive of Global Media Alliance Group congratulated Mr. Daniel Adjei and his teammates as well as management of the Satellites team for the honour done Ghana and the entire continent.

“We are very excited about the unprecedented feat and joy you have brought us; we can only add our voices to the congratulatory messages pouring in from all corners of Africa and even outside the continent. Thank you and may God continue to guide and bless you” summarized, Ms. Brooke Nuwati.

In response, goalee Daniel Adjei expressed joy and gratitude on behalf of the Satellites team

and assured e.tv Ghana that the team is poised for more feats now more than ever. He said he and his teammates are very happy and greatly inspired by the warmness shown them by Ghanaians upon their return from Egypt.

Ms. Nuwati also said Global Media Alliance will continue to support the Satellites with their media platforms including Happy FM 98.9, Y FM 107.7, e.tv Ghana and Anigye FM 102.5 in Kumasi. This she explained because Global Media Alliance stands for excellence and will go all lengths to use its brands to promote any cause that is geared towards distinction and success like the young Satellites.

Welcome, my beauty queen

And so Awushie wept and wept. She could hardly make out her way through the gates into her parents home as she was blinded with her own tears …. tears of shame and regrets.

The huge crowd gathered around the gate of Mr. and Mrs. Agboka were amazed to see the ever charming beauty in such a state. With her head buried in shame, she was rushed angrily through her parents’ home.

Awushie, Miss Mondo as she was popularly called by her peers and admirers was the epitome of glamour. She was what most young ladies who knew her on the silver screens or were lucky enough to have met her in person wished to be.

She had all the great and flamboyant friends. She attended all the important social functions. She was a regular guest at the top restaurants in town. She was among the first to be seen in the latest runway clothes. She was so spotlessly dressed she passed for an elegant model in the Vogue Magazine.

Behind the glamour however, was a different Awushie. Awushie was too gorgeous for the kitchen. Her delicate skin couldn’t be flawed with her engagements with kitchen chores. Her mother made sure food was always on the table for the queen. After all, there are more than enough house helps who needed some work to do to make them deserving of the big allowance they received from the Agbokas every month. The least they could do was to prepare sumptuous meals and serve pretty Awushie breakfast in bed if she so wished.

Mr. Agboka often complained about such an up-bringing and said that it did more harm than good to their daughter. She must learn how to do simple things like cooking. Every woman (even men of today) needs that. Mrs. Agboka wouldn’t hear of any such thing that offended her daughter.

It turned out that Awushie grew up, well polished and highly networked. She married a very wealthy business mogul in a grand wedding ceremony that remained the talk-of-town for weeks.
To Awushie, the wedding was a dream-come-true. Getting married to an affluent man guaranteed the fulfillment of the fairy-tale world of living happily ever after.

And so Awushie began her married life after the alluring wedding and fascinating honeymoon, spent all the way in the Bahamas. Mr. Anyomi was prepared to dish out any amount of money for his new bride …. Awushie, every man’s dream for a life partner.

After sometime of visiting all the classy restaurants or returning home for a microwaved food on the table, Mr. Anyomi, the troubled husband asked when he would ever get the honour of tasting some real food made from his beauty queen’s magic fingers.

Mr. Anyomi couldn’t take it anymore, and so he started complaining. Awushie only retorted angrily that she was not married to become a cook. “After all, we have all the money in the world to hire the services of the best cook in Paris” she said.

“So what happens to the joy that comes with finger-licking and the relishing experience that comes with eating a special meal prepared by one’s wife? Are we going to go on like this forever?” Mr. Anyomi wondered.

Without seeing any attempts on Awushie’s part to make things better, Mr. Anyomi decided that enough was enough. He couldn’t afford to have a beautiful woman for a wife and yet keep hopping from restaurant to restaurant for the rest of his life. He longed for home food made by his wife and no one else.

And so things got out of hand and Mr. Anyomi decided to do the worst. “I must take her to her parents …. She needs some proper grooming” he said angrily.

As her husband angrily pulled her out of the car and threw her luggage at her in front of inquisitive on-lookers who had gathered at her parents’ gates, Awushie suddenly remembered something her dad and aunt used to tell her while she stayed in her bedroom and enjoyed room service.

She thought about it suddenly (Tugbe me yina atsufe oooo …. Ahoofe nkor aware3) …. Awushie, her aunt would say, “you need to learn these things, no matter how beautiful, intelligent or powerful a woman is, she needs to equip herself with home-making skills”. You may disagree with my grandma and say this perception is archaic, but which would you rather go for, a beautiful woman who can also make a home or the one who is beautiful but lazy. I bet you would die the former.

Experience Michael Jackson; Like You've Never Seen Him @ Silverbird

Silverbird Ghana, number one cinema complex in Accra is proud to be among top theatres worldwide to screen the much anticipated Michael Jackson tribute movie; ‘This is it which is due to release worldwide on Oct 27, 2009.

Even in death, the late Michael Jackson still proves that a legend continues to reign as confirmed by the mad rush for advanced tickets for the premiere. The craze for the King of pop keeps growing as thousands of tickets for the upcoming film has been snapped up all over the world.

Mr. Albert Mensah, MD, Silverbird Ghana says “We feel very happy about this; this is a rare opportunity to Ghanaians and everyone who loves the King of pop to be a part of a legendry event of such magnitude. This only goes to confirm that Silverbird is here to define quality entertainment by world standards”

Silverbird will hold exclusive premiere of the movie to its invited guests on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. To book any of the limited seats available, kindly email: info@silverbirdghana.com for your reservation.

Starting October 28, 2009, when viewing will be opened to the general public, Silverbird’s luxurious theatres are expected to be filled to capacity and the public are advised to book their advanced tickets for any of the shows because the hit movie will be in the theatres for only two weeks.

This Is It was a planned series of 50 concerts by Jackson, which was scheduled to begin in July 2009 until March 2010 before his untimely death three weeks before his first show. The film features a compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.

The “This Is It” tour would have marked Jackson’s return to the live concert scene since the History World Tour in 1997. Michael Jackson passed away on June 25.

Silverbird Entertainment Ghana Limited is a joint venture between the Silverbird Group, a full service media, entertainment and real estate company with holdings in Radio, Television, Retail Malls and Cinemas and Global Media Alliance, an integrated pan-African media and entertainment company. Silverbird Group also boasts of excellent locations in Kenya with 18 screens at five premier shopping centres.

The Silverbird Group, the third largest entertainment company is taking a bold step in the African retail entertainment market and can guarantee that all products found in any Lifestyle store and Cinemas are legal and legitimate in terms of copyright and intellectual property. Silverbird's objective to establish a world class Pan-African Entertainment Company is well on course, with fast growing establishments in East and West Africa.

The Silverbird Group guarantees that all products found in its Lifestyle store and Cinemas are legal and legitimate in terms of copyright and intellectual property.

Silverbird is giving you a unique opportunity to experience Michael Jackson; Like you’ve never seen him

KNUST Honours Edward Boateng

Founder of the CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards and Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance, Mr. Edward Boateng has been honoured at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi over the weekend.

Mr. Boateng, an alumnus of the university, was presented with a citation which commended him for his role in honouring and encouraging media excellence in the country and on the continent of Africa.

Making the presentation, Mrs. Vesta Adu-Gyamfi, Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Art who represented Prof. Daniel Buor, Provost of the College of Art and Social Sciences, CASS at KNUST said the presentation was to express their appreciation of Mr. Boateng’s role in promoting media excellence in Ghana and Africa.

Receiving the award, Mr. Boateng commended the University for the honour done him and pledged to continue working very hard to make the university and the country proud.

“The Media are indispensable partners in development and I feel happy to be involved in efforts geared towards strengthening media excellence on the continent” he said.

In a related development, Mr. Boateng had undertaken a mentoring, coaching and motivational programme at KNUST as part of activities marking the CASS’ 5th anniversary of the collegiate system.

He urged the students to be disciplined, honest and remain focused to enable them achieve their goals in life.

Mr. Boateng also reminded the students that any habits they cultivate now would impact other areas of their lives after school and so they should make it a point to eschew all forms of bad practices while on campus.

He encouraged students to network and build good relationships that will help them even after school. A university campus is one of the few places to meet good partners, in one’s social and business life, he said.

Industrial and Professional Relations Officer for CASS, Mr. Ralph Nyadu-Addo, said CASS was putting in place mechanisms to bring industry and alumni together to mentor and motivate students, a move which will go a long way to shape the future of tomorrow’s leaders.

Mr. Nyadu-Addo also urged the students to take advantage of opportunities such as Mr. Edward Boateng’s visit and put into practice all the relevant experiences they share with them.

Edward Boateng is the Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance (GMA) and Chairman of the Silverbird, Africa Group. GMA’s media assets include radio, TV, corporate advisory work and event management. The Silverbird Group is sub-Saharan Africa’s leading and biggest entertainment Company. Amongst others, Silverbird own the Galleria in Lagos, The Abuja Entertainment Centre in Abuja, Nigeria, cinemas and retail outlets in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria. Edward is responsible for growing the business outside Nigeria.

Prior to GMA, Edward worked with Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), then parent company for CNN, Cartoon Network etc, where he led the drive to establish brands such as CNN, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies into household names in Africa. He also initiated the weekly ‘Inside Africa’ Program that still runs on CNN and founded the CNN African Journalist Awards, now the CNN Multichoice Journalist Awards.

Ame nyo wu gbor ….. man is priceless

‘It is a very touching moment for me and I am very honoured and happy beyond imagination. I can’t believe that I’m the First Lady of this great nation. It has been an uphill climb but it has been more than worth the price.”

No one would ever have thought that Emefa could be the woman standing in the podium being guarded religiously by such high profile state security. But yes, she is the pretty First Lady addressing the enthusiastic audience.
Not even the lady herself would have thought that such a moment as they were witnessing could have been possible. It was simply a dream farfetched for a girl who many people recall, in dirty tattered clothes with a funny look, to want to become such a damsel, adorable and graceful as the one before them.

Emefa used to do all the house chores often times on an empty stomach late into the night as her siblings were glued to their television sets watching the latest Disney productions and singing along while the TV commercial of the moment played. They would scream, dance or even jump in the luxurious sofa.

Emefa dared not peep to catch even the quickest glance. If she dared and got caught, hell was let loose in the house. She competed with the beautiful woman’s children. So she must be taught a lesson. In such moments, Emefa only wept and missed her deceased mother.

And so Mrs. Alele treated Emefa with so much hatred and disgust. She simply couldn’t see eye to eye with the innocent girl. She often beat, insulted and constantly reminded Emefa that she was a good-for-nothing bitch. “You useless rat” she would tell her anytime Emefa was caught doing something as harmless as reading a book in an isolated corner after her home chores.

Through it all, Emefa remained calm, resolute and respectful. She was inspired by one thing that an old lady who lived close-by and witnessed her troubles told her;

“Emefa, enyonyo ge ….. ame nyo wu gbor (this literally means Emefa, it’s going to be alright, man is better than goat). In other words, man (human) is always more valuable than animals, no matter how stupid a person may seem, he is of more benefit to the society than animals.

And so Emefa found inspiration in this statement and continued to hope for the better despite her step-mother’s unrelenting efforts to make her lose any sense of self value. “I know I am very beautiful and important” she kept reminding herself through her tribulations.

So what happened to Emefa? I asked my grandmother after she continued with the details of Emefa’s problems with her step mother. How did she get to become a first lady?

Hmmm, my grandmother sighed and said to me;

“Afua my dear, sometimes, miracles do happen and fairytales come alive”.

As in a fairytale, Emefa remained sober and polite and went about her duties while praying to God for a lot of patience. Unknown to her she had won the admiration and love of a childless couple who had seen the hardworking dirty-looking girl running in the neighbourhood on one errand or the other.

The couple contacted Emefa’s father and requested that Emefa came to stay with them while they assume every responsibility of her including her education.

Mrs. Alele was all-joy as she couldn’t wait to get rid of the bug in her cloth, Emefa. She gladly threw her out the moment the couple expressed their interest, for it was overdue! She wished the couple a happy time with the pack of trouble they are rushing for. “If only they knew what they were in for?” she muttered to herself as the couple left happily with Emefa.

It so happened that Emefa was sent to school where she excelled and came out with a Masters degree in Business Administration. She later married a young man she graduated with who later became the President making Emefa the first lady …. mother of a whole nation.

Watching the news on the television, Mrs. Alele buried her face in shame and did realize her mistakes when Emefa, in her acknowledgement speech, mentioned her name with so much love and gratitude.

We must show kindness to everyone, because indeed, Ame nyo wu gbor. As Mahatma Gandhi said, throughout history, the way of truth and love has always won.

I can never thank you enough for this tale, grandma.

MAIDEN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OPENS IN ACCRA

The High Commission of India, Accra in partnership with Silverbird Cinemas and Global Media Alliance on Friday inaugurated a five day complimentary screening of Indian films dubbed – ‘The Festival of Indian Films’, which started from the 2nd of October 2009 – 6th of October 2009.

The auspicious ceremony in commemoration of 140th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was also convened to observe and highlight the internationally celebrated World Non-Violence Day.

The weeklong celebration of Indian culture and colours, through the medium of Bollywood Cinema was graced and inaugurated by chief guest His Excellency the Vice President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, who was received by beautiful bouquets of flowers.

The Vice President along with the High Commissioner of India to Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Ruchi Ghanshyam and Mr. Edward Boateng, Chairman, Silverbird Africa officially opened the event by lighting a lamp in the Silverbird auditorium. Lighting the lamp is the Indian tradition that symbolizes the eradication of darkness and ignorance through the light of knowledge and goodness. Later, HE Mrs. Ruchi Ghanshyam welcomed the guests, and thanked the wishful sponsors present at the event. Some of the big wigs included Mr. V. Sreedharan, MD, Bank of Baroda Ghana Ltd., Mr. Vivek Saraswat, Country Manager, Tata Africa Holdings Ghana Ltd. Mr. Bhagwan Khubchandani, Chairman, Melcom Group and Mr. Ashok Mohinani, Chairman, Poly Group.

HE John Mahama, later addressed the audience with a keynote saying that the festival is a truly symbolic one because it also marks the centenary anniversary of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who also believed in Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and practice of non-violence. He also expressed his joy for the growing number of Indian businesses in Ghana by saying that India and Ghana relationship has always been solid. These warm words were followed by screening the eight (8) Oscar winning autobiographical film, ‘Gandhi’.

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian Advocate who later fought to win independence from the British Raj through non-violence. He was not the commander of armies, nor the ruler of vast lands. He could not boast any scientific achievement or artistic gift. Yet men, governments, dignitaries from all over the world, have joined hands today to pay homage to “the little brown man in the loin cloth”, who led his country to freedom.

At the plush Silverbird cinemas, the event attracted several dignitaries including Minister for Women & Children Affairs, Akua Sena Dansua, Dy. Minister of Education, Dr. Joseph Annan, Daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and member of parliament, Samia Nrkumah and Prof. Atokwei Okai, Poet & Writer, President of Pan African Writers association. The gorgeous Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah came in dressed like an Indian princess on a Horse Carriage. She was received by a great gusto of fans along with a carnival of Indian and African dancers rejoicing to the beats of both countries.

Indian movies have had and continue to enjoy a huge success all over the world for their beautiful productions. The quality that goes into the production work coupled with interesting themes and excellent cast can undoubtedly be matched with, if not rated above Hollywood productions.

The Festival of India Films hopes to highlight the Indian presence in Ghana and to showcase the Indian society and culture to the people of Ghana.

During this week, Silverbird Cinemas will have two complimentary screenings of Indian films; ranging from old films to some of the most popular Bollywood films yet.

Cinema and culture go hand in hand and movies are the core of cinematic productions and success. Indian movies have excelled when it comes to providing good movies for the screens and a lot of cinemas are still in flourishing businesses because of Indian movies which remain the delight of many cinema goers.

Interacting with guests, Mr. Edward Boateng, Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance and Chairman Silverbird Africa says he is very delighted about the excitement with which the public have welcomed the festival. “I am amazed at the huge success of this evening. The caliber and number of people who thronged in just to witness the opening of the festival is so refreshing and goes to emphasize the fact that Ghanaians love Indian movies”.

Indian movies are not only great when it comes to viewership and following, they have also greatly impacted local movie productions, here in Ghana. It is not uncommon to see a lot of Ghanaian movies modeled after Indian ones.

This festival is to become an annual event where each year the Indian community in Ghana will gather to celebrate and fraternize with each other while also fortifying and building new relationships with Ghanaians.

Thus the opening of the five-day celebration on Friday, October 2, couldn’t have been more appropriate to Indians who used the occasion to honour a great son and Ghanaians who took the opportunity to celebrate the birth centenary of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and to learn about another great hero, Mahatma Gandhi. This event could probably be yet another great way of welcoming Ghana’s multi-cultural acceptance and unity in diversity.

The event was organized in kind courtesy of: Tata Africa Holdings, Ghana, PHC Motors, Melcom, Bank of Baroda, IPMC, NIIT, Somotex Ghana Ltd., M&G Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Param Farms & Kohinoor Restaurant, Essar Signages, Happy 98.9 FM, Y 107.7 FM, e.tvghana.

SAY CHEERS Holds Wine Festival to Support Korle-bu Cardio Centre

Say Cheers, the number one wine retailers in Ghana, have over the weekend organized the first ever wine festival in the country. The maiden wine festival was held at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Friday & Saturday, September 26 & 27, 2009.

The event attracted wine makers, retailers, buyers, tasters and other stakeholders in the wine industry from a number of countries including France, South Africa and Chile. Say Cheers is the local representative of these and other wine makers around the world.

On Friday night a formal dinner prepared exclusively by Executive Chef Gary Lane, was at the Labadi Beach Hotel with each course featuring a different wine variety and brief wine appreciation information. Each table was named after the world-class wineries and brands such as Spier, Arniston Bay, 4 Cousins, Arabella, Springbok Rugby Player Schalk Burger’s Welbedacht, Saronsberg, Boekenhoutskloof, Rupert & Rothschild, Lanson and many more.
Some exotic and expensive wines were auctioned at the event to raise funds for the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Centre in Accra.

“We are delighted to be involved in this venture. We did not only have fun with good wine and food, we also raised funds to support a worthy cause. Say Cheers is happy to contribute to make society a better place. Good wine is good for the heart and Say Cheers is interested in anything pertaining to the human heart” says Herman Kuhn, CEO of Say Cheers.

Other items auctioned included an autographed Springbok Rugby Jersey of Schalk Burger Jnr, a photo of Springbok Rugby Father and Son, Schalk Snr & Schalk Jnr Burger, a dinner for the highest bidder and 10 friends in their own home by Executive Chef of the Labadi Beach Hotel and the big one: 2 Business Class return air tickets compliments of SAA to Cape Town with 2 nights’ accommodation at the Commodore Legacy Hotel and 4 nights at 4 different wine estates over harvesting time with vineyard tours and wine tasting at some of the participating wine estates.

Saturday was open to the public for wine tasting in the lush gardens of the Labadi Beach Hotel with entertainment from Salsa dancing to some of the top entertainers in Ghana. Also as part of the event on Saturday was Executive Chef of Labadi Beach Hotel, Mr. Gary Lane’s attempt to gain an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest pizza in Africa under the watchful eyes of officials from the Guinness Book of Records. In forty-seven minutes, the 105.7 metre-long pizza was made and was sold to guests at GhC5.00 a slice, the proceeds of which were also donated to the Korle-bu Cardiothoracic Centre.