Join The Ghana Planeteers!

Environmental activist, Chairman of the Captain Planet Foundation and daughter of media magnate Ted Turner (Founder, CNN) today launched the Ghana Chapter of the Captain Planet Foundation. Hosted by His Royal Highness Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyehene of the Akyem Abuakwa Kingdom and Edward Boateng, Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance, Laura Turner Seydel met with planeteers, made up of young environmental activists for an open forum discussion on environmental protection and health related issues and officially launch the Captain Planet Foundation at the African Regent Hotel in Accra.

The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to fund and support hands-on environmental projects for children and youths. The Foundation’s objective is to encourage innovative programmes that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities.

For Laura, living an eco-sensitive lifestyle has always been a priority and she believes respecting nature’s resources, taking care of the environment and the undeniable connection between the health of our planet and our own welfare must be taken seriously now more than ever.

The environmental activist and eco-living expert says the path to sustainable future can be made possible through a collective effort. She aims to inspire families, youths, and individuals to do their part by educating them on the benefits and opportunities of earth-friendly living.

In his welcome address, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin challenged the youth to speak now about their future. He urged them to be more environmentally conscious and challenge policy makers to consider any decisions they take. “A good investment in the future of our children is to protect the environment. Young people are now empowered than before so they must take responsibility and make sure things are done right as far as the environment is concerned.” he said.

The world is nothing if we do not take care of God’s property – the environment. The water, the trees and animals all have life to be protected. When we protect these, we are protecting our own lives. Every little contribution you make matters” Osagyefo added.

Laura urged the young planeteers to take up the mantle and speak for the environment. “You are the eyes and ears of the environment. The power is yours” she said.

As an extension of her environmental upbringing and sustainable message, Laura and her husband built their home EcoManor (http://www.ecomanor.com/), the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certified residence in the Southeast. The home is a showcase for healthy living and energy-efficient design and serves as educational tool for builders, architects, interior designers, landscapers and homeowners to promote green living conservation options and improved residential building practices. Ultimately through EcoManro, Laura is able to demonstrate real-world applications and offer hands-on experiences to further support her healthy home message.

Laura Turner Seydel is a national environmental activist and an eco-living expert in Atlanta, USA. She plays an integral role in environmental movements and spearheads community initiatives to spread environmental protection messages. Together with her husband Rutherford, she co-founded the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) to secure measurable improvements in the health and future of the river. Through years of advocacy and fundraising, in 2008 Laura witnessed a major milestone for the organization with the completion of an integral component of the West CSO Tunnel, a $4 billion project to improve Atlanta’s antiquated sewer systems, on time and under budget.

Among other leadership responsibilities, Laura Turner Seydel chairs the Captain Planet Foundation. She is also the co-founder of Mothers & Others for Clean Air, an organization dedicated to creating awareness about the connection between asthma and air pollution. Laura is also a Trustee to the Turner Foundation and the Jane Smith Turner Foundation, whose funding priorities include children’s health and the arts. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member of Georgia Conservancy. Laura is the Eco Editor of the Southern Seasons Magazine where she writes a regular column “Going Green”.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin is Ghana’s foremost environmentalist who is known for his devoted advocacy about environmental issues across the country and even beyond

What Would You Do With a Bar of Gold?

A highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts since the beginning of history, GOLD has been highly valued in many societies throughout the ages and has often had a strongly positive symbolic meaning closely connected to the values held in the highest esteem in society. Gold symbolizes power, strength, wealth, warmth, happiness, love, hope, optimism, intelligence, justice, balance, perfection, harvest and the sun.

So, what would you do with a 24-carat 1 kilogram bar of gold worth GHC60000?

Would you start the business that has remained a mere dream for so long? Would you offer your children an Ivy League education? Would you build your dream house in the classiest vicinity? Would plan holiday trips around the world with your family? Or would you simply spoil yourself with all the luxury you can think of? …….. What would you just do?

Fidelity Bank is offering you a unique opportunity to win a 24-carat 1 kilogram bar of gold that will help you fulfill that dream with the launch of the “GO FOR GOLD”deposit mobilization campaign.

All you need to do is to open an account and maintain a minimum of GHC300 or multiples of it to get a coupon to enter both the monthly and grand draws. Existing customers have to top up their accounts and maintain a minimum of GH300 or multiples of it to qualify for the monthly and grand draws. The “GO FOR GOLD” promotion, among other rewards will also encourage savings culture in all Ghanaians for a happy and comfortable future.

Launching the ‘GO FOR GOLD’ campaign, the Managing Director, Mr. Edward Effah emphasized the importance of gold in our national lives as the reason for the choice of a 24-carat 1 kilogram gold bar as the ultimate prize.

Other prizes include all expense-paid holidays at places of choice in Ghana and other African destinations, gold jewelry sets, ipads, laptops, BlackBerry phones , wax prints as well home appliances such as washing machines and home theaters. The campaign ends with a grand draw in March 2011.

The general public is encouraged to visit any of the 19 branches of Fidelity Bank nationwide or approach any Fidelity Bank Ambassador across the major cities and towns to open accounts and maintain multiples of GHC300 in their accounts in order to stand a higher chance of winning the gold bar.

Launched barely two weeks ago, the ‘GO FOR GOLD’ promotion has created a gold rush among the Ghanaian public. While they hope for the monthly and ultimate prize, customers are also offered a unique opportunity to enjoy world-class banking at Fidelity Bank.

His Excellency the Vice President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the bank for this Golden innovation which complements Governments efforts at attracting more people into the banking sector.

Contact corpcom@gmaworld.com / 0302 912071-3

Silverbird Brings Children Movie Premiere to Africa

• Premieres “Cats and Dogs” on August 13th 2010


• Red carpet experience for children = (GHC20.00)

Known for offering world-class entertainment to its customers of all ages, Silverbird Cinemas comes with another first, premiering “Cats and Dogs” for children. The premiere, exclusively for kids, is the first of its kind in Africa. The red carpet event will attract several children from Accra to the cinemas for a memorable and glamorous experience.

The grand debut children movie premiere comes off on Friday, August 13th 2010 at the plush Silverbird cinemas at 5:30pm.

According to Corporate Communications Manager Brooke Nuwati, “Silverbird cherishes children and so we are always on the lookout for innovative opportunities to lighten up their world. The children are going to have a great time on Friday. This is a unique opportunity for them to experience the glamour and sparkle associated with movie premieres that they see on television and in magazines. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to this historical event; where they will have fun, interact and benefit from selective networking”.

With lots of drinks from Coco-Cola and ice cream, the grand event will also be marked with other interesting activities such as live performances from surprise guest artistes, rewarding of best dressed kids, picture opportunities with film and music icons and other networking activities.

Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for Cat Spy Organisation MEOWS has hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to hill, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with unprecedented threats, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves and their humans. Cats and Dogs is a comedy that blends live action with state-of-the-art puppetry and computer animation.

Sponsored by YFM, e.tv Ghana and Global Media Alliance, Cats and Dogs will continue to show in the subsequent weeks after the grand premiere.

For more information and reservation, contact 0302 912 071-3 or corpcom@gmaworld.com

Flying balloons

I just popped in here to say hi.

I have been busy.......working!

Hope all is well.

Don't worry, I will bounce back in full force, with more tales from grandma....I know you can't wait!

Tell me, what's the latest?????????????

Keep flying..........See ya!

My Friends

My Friends-----------

I paused for a moment to think.....think about the wonderful people in my life.

Friends, I call them. I just realized I have been so buried in work that I seem to have forgotten those lovely roses in my life – my friends.

I felt so guilty when a friend sent me a text message recently. It reads: “Valuing a person is not merely seeing each other every day. What matters most is that somehow in our busy lives, we remember each other even just by saying ‘good evening' ’”

You may laugh it off and say that is only a message from an attention-seeking person. But no. I felt really bad that I have got to a point where I was being reminded to show some concern to my friends!

To all my friends who feel neglected, I’m sorry, and I promise to make it up to you. I truly love and appreciate you. You are the salt of my life.

And oh, I can share this piece of good news with you …….. I have been so blessed lately with lots of goodies. I pray God blesses you too.

Always in my thoughts
Cheers!

Brooke

Happy Birthday Brooke n Vivek

Thought my last birthday was fun ..............but this year was something else.

So much fun we had on March 19th ..... Vivek + me

Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurraaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!

Silverbird takes journalists on a fun trip to Nigeria

Silverbird Ghana with the help of Aero Contractors, one of the leading airlines in the region organised a weekend trip to Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria for Ghanaian journalists from seven (7) top Ghanaian media houses. The all-inclusive trip was arranged to provide an experiential setting of the glamour, glitz and enterprise, by Silverbird in the ‘Silverbird lifestyle’ way.

The team included journalists from Daily Graphic, Business & Financial Times, Daily Guide, Joy99.7FM, Peace104.3FM, Happy98.9FM, e.tv Ghana and a prominent freelance journalist.
After a safe flight on Aero Contractors to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos the group, led by Ms. Brooke Nuwati, Corporate Communications Manager of Global Media Alliance Group, the Ghanaian squad was welcomed in grandeur by the Silverbird Group with camera men from Silverbird Television (STV) capturing every V.I.P. moment.

The journalists had the opportunity to take a tour around Aero Contractors led by Marketing Manager Chika Ubendu and Head of Commercial Robert Prophet. Mr. Prophet took the group through the sound business ideologies, which makes Aero one of the best international airlines in the sub-region. He said Aero has been in operation for 50 years and is known for its timely and safe flights. He hinted that Aero is considering expansions to other parts of the continent.

Upon entering the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos, the journalists were introduced to the beauty and magnificence of the bustling mall that houses cinema halls, restaurants, internet cafes, balling alley, spas, boutiques, and high end shops dealing with all sorts of merchandises.

Joy FM’s Seth Kwame Boateng exclaimed “Wow! This is a mall, much bigger than the Accra Mall. This is really huge and I’m happy to be here”.

The journalists were received by Silverbird Lagos General Manager Jonathan Murray Bruce who briefed them about Silverbird’s operations in Nigeria and how Silverbird has become a household name in Nigeria due to the quality of entertainment they offer to their customers. “World-class entertainment in Nigeria has become synonymous to Silverbird and this is what we plan to replicate in many other countries on the continent” he said.

Flight sponsors Aero Contractors flew the team with their utmost hospitality again to Abuja the next day. The feeling of the pressmen is difficult to express as they were utterly stunned by the awesomeness and beauty of the classy Silverbird entertainment centre in Abuja. “Magnificent, out-of-this-world, amazing, beautiful etc” were some of the expressions the journalists used upon entering the nine-floor edifice.

Head of Silverbird Africa Malls, Jide Asumah, welcomed the team and briefed them about Silverbird Africa’s operations. He also gave the team great insights about operating entertainment businesses in Nigeria and Africa in general.

Climaxing the trip was the 10-minutes ride in the Escalade limousine around Silverbird in Abuja. The team of journalists never let their feet down while they cruised in the long beautiful stretch limo. As part of their world-class entertainment service delivery, Silverbird Abuja also renders limo services where individuals or groups of people rent the plush vehicles for a number of hours with a chauffeur to take them around.

Ms. Brooke Nuwati says, “This initiative is a way of saying thank you to our media friends who continue to support our businesses and activities. This is only the first in a series to come. At Silverbird, we believe everybody, (children, adults, workers) and any category of persons are entitled to quality entertainment. This trip has offered our journalists who are often on the go with work and have little or no time to relax an opportunity to match business with pleasure”.

The fun-packed trip also gave the team of journalists the chance to enjoy movies at Silverbird’s VIP and EIP (Extremely Important People) cinema halls.

About Silverbird:
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 Lagos, Abuja & Port Harcourt in Nigeria and in Nairobi in Kenya at premium locations. The Silverbird Group, the third largest entertainment company is taking a bold step in the African retail entertainment market. Silverbird's objective is to establish world class Pan-African Entertainment Companies all across the continent.

Been Long!

Ooooooops!

Can't believe I've been so long away from you. Hope you've been good.

It's been a mixed bag for me (work, family & fun ...... yeah, i do catch my fun every now and then!). But in all it's been .............. Work, work, work!

Hope to be back in full gear ..... so we could get to share our interesting thoughts.

Miss you, loads.

Cheers!

Brooke

Motivational & Leadership Training for GMA Staff

Global Media Alliance (GMA), a leading pan-African Media, Communication and Entertainment Company has held a mass training exercise for its growing staff force. The training, organized for close to 100 employees had participants from GMA’s business units; e.tv Ghana, Silverbird, Y107.7FM, Happy98.9FM, Anigye102.5FM, Weekend World newspaper, Sekondi Eleven Wise Football Club, as well as participants from the parent company GMA.

The trainer, Mr. Rinus Le Roux, from UCan Institute in South Africa is a professional speaker, trainer and author and is acclaimed for inspiring many people to identify their potentials and to approach life with a positive attitude. He deals with serious issues in a playful manner and distils them into easily digestible topics such as:

-"Work could become child’s play"

-"It’s all about relationships" and

-"Dear CEO, thank you for the e-mail, hope to see you before my retirement"

In very interactive training sessions organized at the Coconut Groove Regency Hotel in Accra, participants were engaged in several team building activities and lecture sessions on building a meaningful personal life and work life.

Said MD Ernest Boateng, “We at GMA recognize and appreciate the culture of learning and continuous development of employees. In today’s fast-paced economy, if a business is not learning, it is going to fall behind. A business learns as its people learn. As a people-centred organization, employee happiness is also very important to us and so we do our best to ensure that our employees are well equipped to lessen the inevitable pressures on the job. Training programmes such as these are very helpful in this regard especially in a dynamic industry such as the media”.

Staff of the company, after the two-day training were full of praise and commended management of GMA for the positive and helpful initiative.

Many of them said they were very happy with the training, saying it was very inspiring and informative. They said that the training was a re-awakening of simple measures that will help them keep their lives refreshed and meaningful at home, and at work.

GMA has in the past involved staff in many training programmes including international staff exchange programmes. This is the first time though that a training of such magnitude involving so many employees has been organized. Management of GMA have promised to embark on more of such engagements in order to empower their staff and keep them happy.

About Global Media Alliance
Global Media Alliance (GMA) is a PAN African International Integrated Public Relations & Communications Company. Founded in 1998 in South Africa, the company is currently based in Ghana. Our strategic thrust is one of knowledge sharing, ideas creation and innovative thinking. We thus provide a broad range of communication services with a focus on delivering measurable business results to our clients. With interest in Broadcasting, Sports Management, Entertainment, Print and other media and communication services, we are the most vibrant and dynamic media Communications Company in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Contact: GMA Corporate Affairs

corpcom@gmaworld.com

EVER THANKFUL

January 23, 2010 marked my dad’s first anniversary since he passed on. On behalf of my family, I want to express our appreciation and gratitude for your support and encouragement.

Your love and support saw me through those trying moments and continue to give me hope for the future. I lost a dear father and friend, but I’m grateful to God for more of those friends and fathers like you.

I am particularly grateful to those of you who made it to the mountain top ….. guess it was fun all the same. Upon arrival, most of you were amazed and tired after the bumpy journey. Some of you made interesting and funny comments about my beautiful village (“a little village perched on a mountain top” as my grandpa prefers to describe it) I had to laugh despite the sadness in my heart at the time.

Vida and Nana Ayensu, I will never forget those comforting shoulders you offered me to cry on.

Kehinde, I am forever grateful for your kindness and love. You continue to prove to me that you are a true friend, despite my flaws.

Annie dear, what can I say? ….. distance and time could not stop you from showing me love. God bless you, my beautiful friend.

Seth and Amisty, I am so grateful you were there.

My good friend, Mary Ahiavi (now, Mrs. Quansah) and husband, Charles Quansah ……. For making it to the mounting top, I know I can always count on you. Charles, you have found a good wife in Mary, please hold her dear.

Eric Adae and Nii (Calipers Boye), you guys erased my sorrows with your presence. The thought of your presence still gladdens my heart any time I remember that sunny afternoon.

Antoinette, Stella, Randy and the entire GMA entourage …. Thank you very much. Antoinette, I will forever remember the solace you offered me in those loving arms.

Mr. Mark Wiafe, Mr. Ourah Delano and Auntie B …… in a most crazy way, you demonstrated your love for me, I’m ever grateful.

Prof Karikari, Dr. Edward Sackey, Mr. Kwaku Mensa-Bonsu (KMB) Dr. Kofi Abruquah and Fr. Benard Adjei Appiah,....... thank you very much.

Cephas Emmanuel Apronti, Daniel Owusu Achaw, Eugene Ampomah (Kobby), Samira, Edwin Owusu-Ansah, Rodney, Sarfoa, Linda Bobie, Mavis Osei Agyeman, Agbesi Gbafa, Eli Kofi Aba ….. thank you for your encouragement and support.

Esi Esuman Johnson,, Akua Twumasi, Adwoa Assan, Erasmus (daddy), Nash, Kwame Ayesu Kumi, Solo, Sule, Kafui, Elvis and all SCS squad ……. I’m forever grateful.

Kwabena Opoku-Agyeman, Kwame, Elizabeth Quartey, Auntie Millie, Stephany (Mawunyonam), Yvette, Sammy Ocloo, and all former UG Eng Dept colleagues, I am blessed to have come across people like you.

Oduro Kwame, Evelyn Ohene-Opare, Ninette, Stephen Twum, Evans Adu-Gyamfi, Jacob Arhin, Wendy Asare, Nana Andoh, Esther Amprofi, and all Nananom,……. Meda mo ase!

Madam Olivia, Madam Akorfa, Mr. Abache, and Mr, Agbeko, …. you were there for daddy when I couldn’t be there…….God bless you.

Chris Howusu, Nii Amon, and all facebook friends……… you shared in my sorrows ……and it made it a lot more bearable!

Mr. Obed Owusu Agyarko (theboyobed), a friend in whom I am well pleased …… your encouragement meant and still means the world to me.

Lambozy …. My dear cousin who had to bear the brunt of my frustrations …… I thank God you understood and smiled through it all. God bless you

Hellen and Akua …… my beautiful cousins who stood by me through it all, I am grateful.

And oh, what do I call you …… a friend, a sister, a cousin, or a mother????! Ayeley, I am amazed at what you are made of. I have come to understand that you are a God-sent, my angel in this universe. What can I ever do without you? You are my “all-in-one”. I love you.

My dear little sister, Etornam Wochawoe Richlove (daddy’s girl). You are a ray of hope. I thank daddy and God for a gift as precious as you. I love you.

Forgive me if your name is not mentioned. The list goes on and will never end if I want to single out what you each did for me. To everybody else (my colleagues, friends and family), I want to say Thank You for your prayers, support and encouragement.

From the bottom of our hearts, the Nuwati and allied families say a big thank you and God bless you.

I love you all ………. God bless!

Akpe na mi kataaaaaaaaaaa. Mawu neyra mi!

Brooke

January 27, 2010