Do Showbiz Persons Spend Time With Their Spouses?

It is believed that most celebrities here in Ghana fancy their stardom as compared to spending time with their spouses.

Following the media carefully, it is obvious that when an artiste becomes a hit within a season, the artiste in question is seen almost on all platforms especially on weekends. Aside that, studio sessions, interviews and other essential assignments consume most of their time. If such an artiste is a male, what will be the reaction of his wife who would need her hubby by her at night?
   

In Ghana, there are few examples of showbiz persons marrying each other. Examples are Eugene Baah (Praye Honeho) and Beverly Afaglo (actress), Daniel Amoateng aka Quophi Okyeame with Stacy (presenter), Dave Joy (sound Engineer) with Joyce Blessing (Gospel artiste).
  

There are other 'showbizers' like  Andy Dosty, Abeiku Santana, Bola Ray, OKyeame Kwame, Samini and many more whose wives are not in the showbiz industry .
  

The question at stake is, do people of such caliber get time for their spouses?  It has been found that most of these spouses to the showbiz personalities always have to contend with the nature of the jobs their husbands or wives do. Those who don't seem to understand each other do not have successful marriages. This may be a reason why most people fear to marry people in the entertainment industry.

Elvis R Baidoo

Ohemaa Mercy Celebrates 10 Years in Music Ministry

So soon, it's been 10 years since gospel diva Ohemaa Mercy stepped foot on the gospel music turf and by God's grace has held an anniversary celebration.

March 8, 2014 marked the10th anniversary of Ohemaa Mercy in her journey as a mainstream gospel musician. A program which was held at the Trinity Baptist Church opposite University of Professional Studies at Madina in celebration of this anniversary saw a huge audience that filled the auditorium to its capacity.
   

Ohemaa 'the Singing Mercy,' as called by many, put up a splendid performance in entertaining the audience at the programme. So were a lot of colleague musicians including secular ones who came to support Ohemaa Mercy to celebrate her 10th anniversary. The likes of Gifty Osei, Uncle Atto, Opiesie Esther, Ceccy Twum, Mama Afia Owusua, Trigmatic and a lot more graced the occasion.
  

Ohemaa Mercy came into limelight with her debut album titled 'Made Meho' and later came out with 'Fefeefe,' 'Wobeye Kese,' 'Ntwetwede' and now 'Wofiri Mu'. She has won a lot of awards to her credit. She's won Gospel Artiste of the Year and Album of the Year in Ghana Music Awards and some international awards as well.
  

Ohemaa Mercy is undoubtedly one of the very best gospel brands in Ghana. On a day like this, Ohemaa Mercy must be commended for her tremendous contribution to the Ghanaian gospel music industry. She has impacted greatly on so many gospel musicians and her songs have healed the sick and saved the oppressed.

Stephen K. Nakujah

Sack Some VGMA Board Members!

Ghana Music Awards, though instituted by an individual and ran by the individual's private company is not the sole property of the owners but the entire music fraternity. Because of this, every stakeholder and fans of music has the right to suggest to the organizers how they think things should go as far as getting together the awards is concerned.

Even though I would always commend the organizers for doing their best in organizing Ghana Music Awards, sometimes they take things for granted and that is affecting their work. In the first place, the process of nomination, especially that of this year's, is riddled with flaws. A critical analysis of most of the songs in the nomination shows that they don't qualify to have been nominated. If the descriptions of the various categories have been changed for this year, the organizers should have made it known to the public because the public also vote to decide (as we've been made to believe) who wins the public voting categories.
 

What is GMA's definition for 'song release'? They had said that the moment a song is released onto radio, TV or the internet it is OFFICIALLY released. But the question is that 'who monitors when a song is released'? There is no mechanism to show when a song was put out onto the music market. This is why every musician who wants their songs to gain nominations would lie about the time of release of their songs so they could gain nomination.
   

I am sure by now someone would say it would be too big a work for the organizers to have a system or software that will determine when a song is released, just as they responded when I said unregistered songs should not be nominated. The fact is that no one forced anyone to organize awards for a group of people but if it must be done, it must be done expertly well. You cannot create an awards scheme, devise category descriptions to it and not have any means of checking if the songs being nominated are either truly the property of the supposed owner or whether the said date of release is really true. And when one suggests that songs that have not been registered are not nominated, people start comparing GMA to some award schemes elsewhere, forgetting that this is Ghana and we solve Ghanaian problems with Ghanaian solutions. We have been overly indoctrinated to the extent that we cannot think on our feet to solve problems our own way.
  

Let to me alone, the Academy or the Board should seriously monitor songs and their time of release. They should take records of when songs are released so that if someone comes to lie about their release dates, they are able to cross check. Recently, I read that Mark Okraku had on Happy FM, defended the inclusion of Kumi Guitar who per the VGMA category descriptions don't qualify for the New Artiste of the Year that, the new artiste of the year description for the year 2014 had been reviewed.
 

On Rainbow Radio, I heard Nii Ayite Hammond of Charterhouse say that the category descriptions had not been changed. The contradictions in what these Board members say tell clearly that all is not well with the VGMAs. To me, some of the Board members need to be changed. There are some Board members who have gone rancid while others owing to their long service on the Board have arrogated activities of the awards to themselves as though it belongs to them. This is why some musicians have found themselves in categories they don't qualify for.
  

Having studied the nominations carefully, it is clear that the Board members had favoured some people for nomination because probably these musicians have representatives on the Board. I say it again that Joey B and Kumi Guitar are not new artistes and that their nominations for the new artiste category should be revoked. The lies must stop. The organizers of GMA should come out and tell the public the real truth and stop the machinations. The nominations have too many mistakes in them so should be re-worked on.
  

There are thousand and one wiser music buffs in music industry that can do the job better job for the Board. It is about time those who have gone stale on the Board are supplanted. With that, there will be new flavor to the whole awards scheme and the 'string pulling' by the Mugabes on the Board will stop.

 Elvis R Baidoo

Respect The Young Ones In The Entertainment Industry

If you are an old or successful 'showbizer' who looks down on beginners, put a stop to that because it may affect you someday. We wonder why people become so arrogant and condescending when they accede higher level in the showbiz industry. When they climb to the top, they don't respect those who are of lower pedigree to them.

These old or successful showbizers don't respond well to the wannabes or up and coming ones when they approach them. Doing this will not add anything to their respect. People rather earn more respect from the younger ones when they give them good reception. Most old showbizers fear to be nice to the up and coming ones because they think if they allow them to be closer to them, they might take some of their fortunes and ride on their association with them to step on to stardom.
  

It is only a selfish person who wouldn't be happy to see someone below their standard, or someone they have mentored and advised soar higher. One needs to be happy if it happens this way. However 'abro ne beyie nti' they won't smile to them. It pertains to music, acting, radio, television and all the other sects of showbiz. When Obuor and his Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) leadership founded the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund, most people lauded the initiative and the old musicians were beside themselves with joy. This was a young president, who under his tenure thought it wise to do something to cushion the lives of old musicians.
  

It tells that at a point in time somebody will definitely need someone else in this entertainment industry. The industry is too big but very small. It is cyclical. You loathe somebody today and tomorrow you regret it. If you are a radio presenter who treats wannabes badly, change for the better because, one day some of these wannabes could become your programmes managers. You may be at their beck and call. Such is the world.
  

There are some old musicians who were missing from the system but got their music careers rekindled when from no where they were featured on songs by the new artistes. Others would also be languishing in poverty and oblivion because there is no one to help them come out with albums again. For all you know while they were at their peak, they thought they were most important than any musician in the world, thus, despised the then younger ones who are today's leaders and musicians of the moment.
  

Let us learn to respect people and stop prejudicing them anytime they express opinions that may be scathing. For if you behave too bossy and you disregard the young ones, what do you gain? 

 Elvis R Baidoo

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Socrate ''Fights'' Okraku Mantey Over Kumi Guitar

Anytime Charterhouse unveils the nomination list of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, it comes with so much controversy and this year's nomination list is no exception. The award category that is creating the most controversy is the New Artiste of the Year which has Akwaboah, Joey B and Kumi Guitar vying for that award as well as a brand new car.

With respect to the New Artiste of the Year brouhaha, Movie Producer Socrate Safo has registered his displeasure and total disappointment at Mark Okraku Mantey with respect to his stance on the New Artiste of the Year category of the VGMA for which his (Mark Okraku Mantey) artiste, Kumi Guitar has been nominated.
 

Socrate Safo recounted that when the President of FIPAG, Mr. Hackman appointed him as his Spokesperson which generated so much controversy, it was Mark Okraku Mantey who advised him as a good friend would do to resign from the position. However he finds it very difficult to understand why Mark Okraku Mantey was not principled enough to stay off the VGMA Board entirely and advised against the nomination of Kumi Guitar.
  

According to Socrate, so far as Mark Okraku Mantey has been able to confirm that Kumi Guitar's song was featured on Sugartone's compilation about four years ago, that alone disqualifies Kumi Guitar as a new artiste. Socrate has also called for the deletion of Kumi Guitar from the nomination list adding that other artistes like Akwaboah and Joey B who have also been nominated for the New Artiste of the Year award do not qualify for that category.
  

As to whether the criteria for the New Artiste of the Year category had really been changed as Mark Okraku Mantey claims, he expressed shock as to why Charterhouse did not make the changes public knowledge especially during the unveiling of the VGMA nomination list.
   

It needs to be emphasized that the seeming confusion between Socrate Safo and Mark Okraku Mantey started on an entertainment discussion show on Adom TV hosted by the latter.

Ebenezer Narh Affum

Is Praye Still Together As A Group?

When news went viral that hip life music trio Praye made up of Praye Tenten, Praye Tiatia and Praye Honeho were suffering a break up, it was the hope of many Praye fans that it would end up to be a hoax but unfortunately, it was real.

Praye Tenten went away leaving behind Praye Tiatia and Praye Honeho to form the group Praye and the two did not rest despite the break up but released an album which had good songs like “feeling and the night is still young”. Though the songs on the album did not blow as we at Flex newspaper expected, they were enjoyed by true Praye fans who will follow their works despite every situation they find themselves in.
    

Now in an attempt to revive the career of Praye and to activate their brand, team Flex newspaper has been doing everything possible to make the group relevant as much as their image is concerned but as well as we tried, our efforts always went down the drain. We have tried pushing their songs to many DJ`s to support in the promotion including writing and publishing stories that will remind broadcasters especially that the group Praye is alive.
   

The recent one was to book them for an interview on our well listened to entertainment discussion programme on Pluzz 89.9fm called FLEX ON PLUZZ. The first time our producer David Offei Lartey called Praye Tiatia he told him (David) that they will be outside Accra for a gig so we should try the following week.
   

David called again the following week and this time he spoke to the two artistes yet they were not sure of each other`s whereabout. Whilst Praye Tiatia told us  Honeho was engaged on the Akuapem Mountains somewhere on his personal dealings, Honeho also responded that he was not sure if they could come together for the interview. Any suspicion on your side as we are also having here?
   

We only pray it does not really happen that way else, several meanings will be read into their break up including the emergence of Selly`s issues after the Big Brother show. It is our duty to find out what is really happening between them and we are promising readers of Flex newspaper that, it will happen soon.

Elvis R Baidoo

America's Gospel Sensation Fred Hammond Storms Ghana For Freedom Concert

Stand up Ghana, and shout with joy as America's Gospel Artiste FRED HAMMOND storms the country in this year's maiden edition of FREEDOM CONCERT. The concert which will be held on Saturday the 15th of March this year at the Accra Sports Stadium is to commemorate Ghana's Independence Day Celebration, to unite the nation, foster peace and tolerance among Ghanaians.

Ministering alongside Fred Hammond are Ghana's own ministers Cwesi Oteng, Ohemaa Mercy, Mary Ghansah, Joe Mettle, Francis Amo, Soul-Winners and a host of others.
  

The event is the first of an annual Gospel music concert organized under the auspices of Springs of Joy Multimedia to bring the whole nation together to worship, praise and dance to the Glory of God whiles fostering peace, unity and tolerance among the people.
  

The concert promises to be the biggest gospel show in Ghana for 2014. Minister Fred Hammond will treat the audience to some of his best gospel tunes that will shake the foundations of the Accra Sports Stadium.
  

That rich Ghanaian flavor will not miss out as Ghana's Gospel Pop Minister Cwesi Oteng will blend his contemporary music with that of the Gospel Queen Ohemaa Mercy's rich, Holy Ghost brewed sensational tunes. The good old but still very vibrant voice of Mary Ghansah will heal the heart of the nation. Soul-Winners and Joe Mettle will surely minister to bring the heavens kissing the earth. And finally, there will be a benediction of his Grace by Francis Amo.

 Elvis R Baidoo

Two Awards Events Clashing On May 3rd: Ghana Music Awards & ACRAG Awards

The saying that cut your coat according to your cloth is really about happening in our entertainment industry if care is not taken in the month of May.

We are in an industry which is hungry for awards, therefore it has always been our prayers that more awards schemes will come into existence. Whilst looking for these awards schemes to come our way, we often forget that we have issues with our entertainment calender and  event venues.
 

It is only in Ghana that our economic factors also contribute to dates of events therefore we always try to fix our entertainment events close to the end of the month or at the beginning of the month. In one of our interviews with the Public Relations Officer of Charterhouse George Nii Armah Quaye, we remember vividly that he (George) stated clearly that this year`s Ghana Music Awards will be held on 3rd May all things being equal.
 

Therefore on our event calender as a news team, we have marked 3rd May as a day set aside for the annual Ghana Music Awards to come off at the Accra International conference center. So when on Entertainment Review on Peace fm, a representative from the organizers of the erstwhile ECRAG /ACRAG awards also announced that their awards event is set and has been slated for the same 3rd May, we knew there will be trouble and fire on the mountain.
   

Competition is key and we at Flex newspaper would push for a healthy competition, yet if the benefit is for the same people, then there is no need for any competition or whatsoever. In fact, it will be suicidal for the industry if we will have two awards meant for the same people on the same day. Surely, one of the awards will suffer a lot of issues if that should happen.
    

On this note, it is our prayer that Charter house and the ACRAG organizers will look into the future in peace to iron this issue out. Of course, the VGMA is big but should it clash with the ACRAG on the same 3rd May, something funny might happen at both events.

Elvis R Baidoo 

Do Managers Date Their Female Musicians (part 1)

The issue of musicians breaking up with their managers is nothing new in our industry and the gospel musicians are not the only culprits who suffer these break ups. But latest observation and investigation done by Flex newspaper among some gospel musicians reveal that, business relationship gets sour when husbands intrude the activities of the musician and the manager.

                                                                                   It is in the wake of this gesture that is how come Evangelist Diana Asamoah has been able to work with his manager Anane Frimpong aka Frimprince for this long time. The observation, although without any empirical cases as evidence comes in some subtle manner that only those who have deep attention to that genre of music can attest to that fact. 

    

The business of music with single ladies has always proved to be one which is free from troubles as the lady moves freely without husbands following them or better still seeking for second opinions from husbands after business meetings. Flex newspaper before coming out with this story did an informal survey with some recognized artistes managers where we asked them if they will date female artistes should they decide to manage them.
 

Shockingly, a greater percentage of our respondents said the best way to keep the work going will be to date these musicians as managers because with that, there will not be any distractions or whatsoever from other men outside the music business. Knowing the emotional needs of women in general, it is always close to impossible to attach one`s self to a woman without some amorous feelings from one of the parties.
  

Take a tour in our industry and examples of managers mostly men, dealing with single ladies will not be a far fetched experience. For instance, Becca has been working with her manager Kiki Banson of EKB records for a good number of years, currently Duke Banson also manages AK Songstress and Salah under his Paradise Entertainment record label whilst Creppy also handles Raquel like nobody`s business. Jam Master Jay is also holding down Kaaki and former KFM manager James Oberko was also in the news as being the manager of female rapper Eno, though it is not too clear if he is still managing her in recent times.
    

As much as the guys from the secular world might have the courage to come out boldly that they are dating their female artistes or they have interest in them, same cannot be the case in the gospel world. They will always hide behind the Bible to deny having any feelings for their artistes, yet things will be knocking things down there. No wonder most of the female gospel musicians get married and their music career as well as their relationship with the managers get sour. To be continued next week in Flex newspaper with more facts and analysis....!!!

Elvis R Baidoo

Shocking: Raw Pornography On Our Tv Screens!

Have you ever watched any pornographic movie before? Did you learn something from it or it affected you negatively? I sincerely believe a pornography movie has the tendency to provide good or bad results depending on the motive of whoever watches it.

In these modern days, parents find it very difficult to educate their children on relationships, sexual and reproductive health issues and most of the time, children who try to experiment sex through relationships end up entangling themselves in teenage pregnancy and the likelihood of contracting any sexually transmitted disease.
   

As a result of this, I am always happy when I come across any Radio or TV programme with the sole aim of providing education on relationships, sexual and reproductive issues. Quite unfortunately, programmes of this nature are in the minority as compared to other kinds of programmes.
   

In as much as programmes on relationships, sexual and reproductive health issues are very important, care needs to be taken in its delivery. About two weeks ago, I watched one of such programmes on TV. This programme (name withheld) is very popular on TV as well as Radio and has been running for some years. In fact, the programme is hosted by a notable person in the country. The host is more of a celebrity in Ghana.
   

I really enjoyed the edition of the programme but a particular segment of the programme got me wondering if things were being done in the correct manner. I remember vividly that the segment was meant to educate viewers on a particular sex position called the KUNG FU position. I checked my time at that moment and realized it was 11:45pm. Indeed it was very late. As the host and the panelists on the programme discussed the KUNG FU sex position, all I realized was that a video of a gentleman and a lady was running on my TV.
 

Without mincing words, it was a pure pornographic movie involving the man and the woman having pleasurable sex in what the host described as KUNG FU. I was shocked to the bones and only if I am not exaggerating, this movie ran for about ten to fifteen minutes and within this time, the man and woman having sex was shown without any intermittent break. In as much as the video was meant to educate viewers on the KUNG FU sex position, I realized that other sex positions were employed by the ''sex players''.
  

One disgusting thing about the video was the close shots of the vagina of the woman which had some grey hair. The host and the panelists upon seeing it, made some funny remarks amidst laughter. In all these, I know the programme is meant for education, but is it so necessary to have pornographic movie shown on TV just to describe different sex positions? Do you think Ghana Television (GTV) would do such a thing even after 12 midnight?
    

I am not an expert in this respect but I believe it would have been more appropriate if pictures of various sex positions are rather used for the sake of education. The showing of a pornographic movie on TV with the excuse of using it for educational purposes is quite unfortunate and disappointing. So far as the production of pornographic movie is unlawful in Ghana, I see no reason why its broadcast should be encouraged on our TV screens. For now, I am not too sure if there is any law that forbids or allows any television station from showing any pornographic movie on its screen. Perhaps, the laws of Ghana are silent on this subject.
   

After watching the programme, I was shocked to the marrow. The host should have considered other things. The TV station has the most important duty of ensuring that this unfortunate thing is not repeated or else in subsequent editions of Flex Newspaper, we will give details of the programme, the host as well as the TV station that airs the programme. I rest my case.

Elvis R Baidoo