2013 GHANA MOVIE AWARDS MOVED FROM DECEMBER 25 TO DECEMBER 30

Reports gathered by Myjoyonline.com indicates that the 2013 edition of  the Ghana Movie Awards will be held on December 30 instead of the traditional date of December 25.

The event, which awards excellence in the Ghanaian and African movie industries, since its inception three years ago has been held on Christmas Day, December 25.

The change in date, a source close to the organizers, GP Limited, disclosed to Myjoyonline.com was part of efforts to get an international act to perform at the awards.

The source said, organizers are currently in talks with top South African music group Mafikizola, known for the smash hit 'Khona', to perform at this year's event.

The group, the source explained, has a show on the December 25 which coincides with the date originally scheduled for the Ghana Movie Awards.

Due to this, the group requested organizers to change the date if only they are still interested in having them perform here, which GP Limited obliged.

The source, however, stressed that they are still in talks with the group to finalise their performance at the December 30 event which comes off at the Accra International Conference Centre.

'Academy' awards
This year's awards, according the source, will be mostly an academy based awards. This means that organizers will constitute a team of experienced personalities and past winners of the awards to form an academy who will vote for winners.

Within the academy itself, editors will vote for Best Editors, directors will vote for Best Directors, actors will vote for Best Actors, actresses will vote for Best Actresses.

The general public will only vote for their Favourite Actor, Favourite Actresses, Best Television Series Actor, Best Television Series Actress and Best Television Series.

All other technical aspects of the awards will be voted for by the academy including Best Sound, Best Lighting, and Best Picture. The Best Feature category will be voted for by members of the academy and a selected number of experienced hands in the movie industry including media personnel.

Preceding the academy voting, academy members will take part in a special two-week screening session at the Silverbird Cinemas to watch and review the nominated movies.

I’M SERIOUS ABOUT JOINING VIP —ROCKSTONE

When Reggie Rockstone tweeted last Friday that he would love to take Promzy’s place in VIP, many thought he was kidding. The Grandpapa of Hiplife joining VIP? That must be some kind of a joke.
The Oseikrom President, however, seems very serious and is even ready to throw a party to celebrate the moment VIP accepts him into their fold.

Talking to Showbiz last Monday, the Maka Maka hit-maker said he was serious about the tweet which stated: “Just read bout my brother Promzy leaving da legendary VIP group! I shud apply to replace him! Always wanted to be in dat group! Lol! Chance”.

“I will be more than honoured to join VIP. I must say that I love their music and I’m a huge fan of theirs. I have followed the group for more than 10 years. I have actually been a part of them.
“I featured them on my show back in the day at the Efua Sutherland’s Children’s Park and have also performed together on two occasions in New York. I have been a close friend of theirs and I flow very well with them so becoming a member of VIP will be just perfect.

According to Reggie, there are several pointers that make him more than qualified to replace Promzy who left VIP recently.
“I am famous; I have the experience and moreover, I am one of the best rappers in Ghana. With all these qualities, I think I woul be the best artiste in Ghana to replace Promzy.”

When it was pointed out to him that he might be too ‘big’ since he is the Grandpapa of Hiplife and also too old to join VIP, Reggie said that “as a musician, you can never say you are too big to join a group. I am still very vibrant and have a lot to offer.”

Asked if he had spoken to the other members of VIP— Joseph Nana Ofori (Prodigal) or Abdul Hamid Ibrahim ( Zeal) about taking over from Promzy, the Plan Ben hit-maker said he was yet to do so but his tweet about his desire to join the group should tell anyone that he had intentions of becoming a VIP.

In as much as he would love to take over Promzy’s place, Reggie indicated he was not happy about the break-up of the group after staying together for two decades.

Reggie, who is currently putting finishing touches to a number of singles he plans to release soon, wished Promzy and the other remaining members of VIP well in the decisions they have taken concerning their music careers.

When Showbiz contacted VIP on their take on Reggie’s intention to join them, the group’s manager, Bull Dog, said though they had seen the tweet, they had not given any serious thought to it.

“It will be an honour to have Reggie Rockstone on board but that decision will have to be collectively taken by the artistes and the management team. I think replacing Promzy with Reggie Rockstone wouldn’t be a bad idea at all,” Bull Dog added.

“I DON’T ALLOW THEM TO SLEEP WITH UPCOMING ACTRESSES THAT IS WHY THEY HATE ME” – REVEALS EMEKA IKE

While our politicians are corrupt when it comes to national resources (money), some of our Nollywood producers gets corrupt when it comes to women.

Emeka Ike who felt he was hated, just let the cat out of the bag on why movie producers do not like him.

See what he said below:

“If you knock at their office and you can’t sleep with them, you won’t be allowed to act.

Is it fair to tell a girl that ‘if I don’t sleep with you, you won’t get my favour?’ if God does that to us, where would we be today? This situation is a general norm. Ask the smallest artiste about my position on the situation. I have stopped productions severally because of this (s3xual harassment).

That’s why sometimes they get issues with me. Continue below.

“There was a day I saw a girl crying at a corner of a movie set, her name is Esther. She is a make-up artiste now because she has stopped acting for them (emphasis).

“I approached her and asked why she was crying. She was lamenting like a girl who has just lost her mother. She told me that ‘look at the girl going with my script, that ugly animal. The producer said if I can’t sleep with him, I can’t get the script.

“She mentioned the name of the person. So because she can’t sleep with that man, she has to be marginalized, Kai! I have something against that. If a girl wants to sleep with you because you are a star or because she likes you, so be it. Don’t arm-twist someone, that is rape. Abroad, they will go to jail for even suggesting it to her.

“You need to be responsible and responsive to the young people you have exposed acting to. You need to stand up and fight for them. Right now, they are interested in acting and there is no place to go to. They go to Ajao and they tell them open your legs, is that what we made the industry for?
“I gave the lady her artiste fee that day.

Go to Enugu and ask of Esther, the make-up artiste. She will tell you about this story. That is why they don’t like me.”

What can you say about this?

IS AGYA KOO DENYING HIS OWN MOTHER IN PUBLIC?

An interesting story developed in the Ashanti capital city of Kumasi when one day a beautiful elderly woman from Kintampo emerged at one of the radio stations claiming that she is a neglected biological mother of Agya Koo, a Ghanaian budding actor in local movies.

The response from Agya Koo, according to our source was that..”my mother died 7 years ago”…. ” I dont know that lady”

Well, who is telling what and what are we the listeners and readers to make from this?

This article is being written as a dedication to our hard working mothers who are always there for us, caring, loving, soothing, feeding, grooming and doing everything for us, and to ask question about what happened to this case if it really got solved:

We also want to generate interests and public opinions on the issue since it is of some significance to almost everybody as we all have mothers. The other goal is the many sorry stories that we hear about people who have new economic and social status and are alleged to be neglecting their own parents especially the mothers.

Are you proud of your own mom or dad and are you taking care of them?
To help address the issue, we have culled readers’ comments and contributions posted at the Kumasi based radio station, NHYIRA FM’s Facebook’s page for your perusal.

IDIKOKO COMPLAINS OF ILL TREATMENT AND FALSE ALLEGATIONS

The immediate past president of the Film Producers’ Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Augustine Abbey popularly known as Idikoko has lamented and poured his heart out at an alleged ill treatment meted out to him and false accusations leveled against him in Kumasi during the just ended elections in an emotional speech delivered at the handing over ceremony in Accra on October 9th 2013.

An emotional Idikoko explained he was made to wander about and not even given an official seat as the then president of the association and was also met with accusations as to bribing delegates with a hundred cedis (GHS100)each to vote for him, something he found very worrying and demeaning.

Explaining further, Augustine Abbey expressed his disappointment in some members of the association who despite rendering accounts of the association to, peddled wrong information of misappropriation of funds and disclosed he was still using his old car and a China phone unlike people had accused him of using the association’s money extravagantly.

He wished the new leadership well and promised to work hand in hand when the need arises.

STONEBWOY TO RE-LAUNCH YOGGY DOGGY’S CAREER

Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy is scheduled to re-launch Yoggy Doggy’s music career several years after the dancehall veteran has been missing in action on Ghana’s music scene.

Reports over the weekend said Stonebwoy has recorded a number of singles with fellow artistes Yoggy Doggy, Kwaw Kese and Fuse ODG.

He will be releasing the songs soon and the one with Yoggy is anticipated to bring back Yoggy who many youngsters may not remember now, as he left the shores of Ghana many years ago.

Stonebwoy had spent the last six weeks rocking seven great shows from one city to the other in London.

He disclosed that it was through those shows he met big names in Afro dancehall music as Randy Valentine, Yoggy Doggy, Sonni Bali and more.

He is set to release the new singles in this last quarter for fans but said the immediate one will be the single with Kwaw Kese.

Even though his ‘Party again’ single leaked into the media, Stonebwoy is promising fans the official release of that song will be soon. He has currently released a video he arrived from London with.

NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS UCHE SECRETLY TIES THE KNOT

No Single Ladies dance for Uche Ogbodo anymore. The Nollywood actress secretly tied the knot with a Norway based football agent Arthur.

The traditional ceremony took place on Saturday 5th October 2013 in Nkanu, Enugu at Uche’s family compound.

Uche and Arthur who are private about their relationship, are yet to release images from the ceremony. Congratulations to the actress.

We can’t wait to see the traditional wedding photos.

AKON WITH ALL HIS MONEY COMES TO GHANA TO SHOOT HIS MUSIC VIDEO & HIRES A GHANAIAN AS A DIRECTOR, YET ...

When some of us say Ghanaians do not see anything good in other Ghanaians or find anything great in Ghana, we are easily jumped on and lynched.

When I read that Akon is in Ghana, I was happy that another African who has achieved great success in America and the world of music has decided to pay Ghana a visit.

My joy temperature went up higher when I continued reading, learning that he is in Ghana to shoot a music video of his song with two Nigerians. And even has hired a Ghanaian director to be in charge of the video.

First of all, Akon could have shot this video in anywhere of the world, including under the water and yet he decided to come to Ghana.

Secondly, he featured two Nigerians on the song and this means Nigeria was a good place for him. Yet he chooses Ghana and flew the two Nigerians to come and join him in Ghana.

What does this tell us as Ghanaians, especially our struggling musicians who will borrow money and clear all their savings to go to South Africa or London for a music video just to showcase the red London buses?

Akon can afford every location for his video and has the resource to hire whoever he wants. But he has seen something great in a Ghanaian and in Ghana. We fail to see these things and will kill ourselves just to stand by the road side in NY to shoot our music video.When will we as Ghanaians begin to read the writing on the wall?

Akon, thanks for reminding some of us that Ghana is such a great place!

GOSPEL MUSICIAN JOYCE BLESSING IN TROUBLE

Gospel musician Joyce Blessing needs more than a blessing to overcome the heat being piled on her. The songstress is about to pay a heavy price for a song on her new album called "Heavy Price" for an alleged infringement on copyright laws.

Graphic Showbiz reports that Blessing has been written to by the law firm Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa and Ankomah that she should "withdraw the infringing song and its corresponding video from the market forthwith, unless and until you have obtained the joint consent of our clients."

According to the paper, the song in question is titled "Nyame Egwamma" but the law firm has claimed and written to Blessing that it is a repuduction of a song written by their clients Ace Ankomah and Joyful Way Inc titled "W'ahenni To Rentwa Da" in 1994.

Ankomah and Joyful Way Inc through their lawyers have given Joyce Blessing a seven day ultimatum to withdraw the song and accompanying video from the market or they will "exploit all of their legal options."

Blessing says she has always thought the song in question was a Presbyterian hymn.

Meanwhile, her management team led by Kwesi Ennin thinks seven days is too short a time to withdraw all the music and video from the market. "We practically cannot withdraw them all within the stipulated time," he said, adding that they "hope to come to an amicable settlement." 

KWABENA KWABENA'S "SAVE A LIFE" CHARITY CONCERT SET FOR OCTOBER 19

The man likes to affect hearts with his love songs but this time around, Kwabena Kwabena is determined to literally touch hearts by staging a show to raise funds to support patients suffering from heart diseases.

The award-winning singer has slated the show for Saturday, October 19 at the State House and he feels extremely encouraged by the support he is receiving from other celebrities.

On the bill to support him on the night will be Samini, OJ, Efya, Funny Face, Joojo, Okyeame Kwame, Stella Dugan, Afriyie, Sarkodie and Becca.

“It feels good to know that other showbiz personalities share my desire to help heart patients,” Kwabena Kwabena says. “We are collectively going to offer a wonderful package of entertainment at the event and I urge all to come and support the noble cause.”

A source within the Aso hit singer’s management team have disclosed that preparations for the charity event are going well and they are looking forward to raise a substantial amount on the night.