NO INSURANCE FOR GHANAIAN ACTORS: VAN VICKER WEEPS

If the issue of insurance for Ghanaian actors is not discussed and actions taken, we shall one day wake up to our shock and fears – we have a lesson to learn from a recent case in Nollywood.

A Nigerian actor by name, Emma Ehumadu, recently hit his head to the door of a bus and had his skull opened whilst shooting an action movie scene. Below was the fate of the poor actor known for gangsterism and bad boy roles in Nollywood (unedited):

“Nollywood actor, Emma Ehumadu, was involved in a ghastly accident while filming a robbery scene with Jim Iyke and other actors at a movie location in Asaba, Delta State on Wednesday March 12th. Jim was driving the vehicle during a 'high speed chase' while Emma was shooting a gun from a half open door from the vehicle.
 
Unfortunately there was an issue with the brake and the vehicle hit a location bus. Emma hit his head on the door of a bus and his skull opened. He was rushed to the hospital where he's responding to treatment.” (Source: LindaIkeji)
  
The latest information on the said actor has it that he has been flown to Dubai to undergo neurosurgical operation to patch up his scattered skull together. Fellow Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker, could not starve off his tears and grief as he took to social media – Facebook to share his solidarity (unedited):
  
“**TEARS IN MY EYES***. So Sad! Actor Emma Ehumadu {popularly known as ?#?LABISTA?}to Undergo Neurological Surgery in Dubai, Begs For Assistance! He had an accident while driving on set acting an action film. May God be with him & make the operation a successful one (AMEN). PLEASE TYPE AMEN NOW BECAUSE HE NEEDS OUR PRAYERS.”
 
I can't stop sobbing as I pen down this story, because, it could have happened to any of our Ghanaian movie stars! The plight of the Ghanaian actor (or workers general in Ghana) is one of a sad tale to tell. The lives of our actors are at stake. Let's open the discussion once again, for the way forward. Until then…MOTWUM!!

AMANDZEBA TURNED DOWN OFFER AS DEPUTY MINISTER FOR TOURISM, CULTURE AND CREATIVE ARTS

Legendary musician, Amandzeba Nat Brew apparently was offered the post of Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts but he turned it down.

Amandzeba, who has years of experience in  the music and the creative arts industry, said he turned down the offer by President John Dramani Mahama because it would have interfered with his music career.

According to him, "the reasons mainly was personal." He said it was practically impossible to handle a ministerial porfolio while remaining active in the music industry.

He explained that as a Deputy Minister, his post would have also interfered with his work as the Deputy Chairman of the Ghana Music Rights Organization.
The Deputy Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts ministerial position is currently occupied by Dzifa Abla Gomashie.

The current administration of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) headed by Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour) has come under a lot of flak for allegedly not seeking the welfare of musicians.
Legendary musician, Gyedu Blay Ambolley alleged there is a cancer of 'Mafiarism' in the Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) which is derailing the progress of the musicians' body.

Gyedu Blay Ambolley told Hitz Entertainment News that, "'Mafiarism' is in MUSIGA. It was started a long time ago and [now] to the present Musician Union."
He explained that, "things are going on in a way that [is] not favouring the musicians [or] people [who] have contributed a lot to music in Ghana."

Blay Ambolley contested the MUSIGA presidency but lost to a paratively young musician, Bice Osei Kuffour popularly known as Obour.

Commenting on Obour's impact as the president of MUSIGA, Amandzeba said it is not too satisfactory and believes that he can do better.

"What everybody is actually seeing and observing may differ from what I see so it's quite relative but I think that the performance is not too delightful. This is a young man who can do more so I think that for me it is not too satisfactory," he said.

GOSPEL MUSICIAN ERNEST OPOKU IN TROUBLE AGAIN

Information reaching Flex newspaper indicates that gospel musician Ernest Opoku is in hot waters as one female gospel musician Angela Agyemang, has accused him of selling a song he sold to her, to another artiste.

Speaking to the manager of Kumasi-based Angela Agyemang (Lady Angie), Mr. Henry Antwi Bofiah, he said his artiste Angela Agyemang (Lady Angie) returned from the U.S. and decided to venture into gospel music so went to Ernest Opoku to buy a song titled ‘Me Hia Wo.’ His artiste, therefore, went to the studio, recorded it, shot the video and had the song registered at the copyrights office in her name.

“Yes, he sold the song for us and we paid for it but unfortunately we started hearing and seeing on radio and TV later, the same song titled ‘Me Hia Wo’ done by another female gospel musician called Francisca Sarpong which features he (Ernest Opoku),” he explained.

Henry said he contacted Ernest Opoku who apologized for giving the same song he sold to my artiste to another artiste, and even promised to stop the second lady from promoting the song and also compensate his artiste with four songs.

His problem, however, is that after some time, Ernest Opoku has not fulfilled his promise because the song composed by Francisca Sarpong is still making waves on radio and television and on sales at CD shops and the compensatory four songs are not forthcoming.

“Selling a song to two people is a fraudulent act and Ernest Opoku must account for it. It is very bad to be doing this in the gospel industry. We will by all means drag him to court if he tries to be unyielding to the terms we both agreed on,” he said.

All attempts to contact Ernest Opoku to hear his side of the story proved abortive because he is out of town but we promise to update our cherished readers on any new development on this story.

REGGIE ROCKSTONE: I HAVE HUMBLED MYSELF TO JOIN VIP, NOW VVIP

When Reggie Rockstone announced a couple of months ago that he was joining VIP, many were those who thought it was a joke because they could not believe that the Grandpapa of Hiplife would do a thing like that.

Showbiz can confirm today that indeed, Reggie is a member of VIP. Last Monday he told Showbiz that the trio will now be known as VVIP.

“It all began when I posted on Twitter that I was joining VIP. That simple message drew a lot of attention but the truth is that I have always wanted to be a member of VIP.

When Promzy left I told myself that VIP has to continue in order not to slow down the vision. I said to myself, I’m not bad looking and I can still rap so why not join my younger brothers to keep the vision in progress?”

Most importantly, Reggie added, “It is God’s work; it has nothing to do with Promzy’s leaving. It happened after many discussions but the truth is, it was all by divine intervention.”

As to people’s perception that he is too old or too big to come to the level of VIP, Reggie said that was neither here nor there because people still rap and sing regardless of their age, mentioning Jay Z as an example.

“No matter how old I am, I can still be a member of VIP, the merger is historical. Regardless of my age, I have humbled myself to join my younger brothers, it has not happened before and that is why I call it historical.”

Asked if he was going to be the leader of VVIP, Reggie said, “Originally, I think Lazzy (now called Zeal) was the leader but the chemistry of working together is so tight that there is no leader but my age and experience in African terms makes it easier for them to listen to me.

“There has always been mutual respect even before I joined the group and I must admit that they are both respectful.”

Reggie revealed that their first single, Selfie will be released tomorrow Friday which happens to be his birthday. “Today is Efya’s birthday and tomorrow is my birthday so there is going to be a big party at Rockstone’s Office, Django Bar to celebrate our birthdays.

According to Reggie, the party is open to all, “You just pay to get in and be part of the party, proceeds will go to charity, and it will be so much fun no one would want to miss it, please dress well.”

Throwing more light on Selfie, Reggie said it is a very danceable song and everyone will love it. “Another single will follow soon but I will keep the title of that one a secret for now,” he said.

“It was produced by DJ Breezy who comes from D-Black’s camp. “We are on a mature level now, call it senior citizens,” he said with a smile.

Incidentally all three VVIP have had baby girls within the last one year. Lazzy’s (now Zeal) is Jara; Prodigal’s is Nana; and Reggie’s is Rehji.

I DON'T WEAR PANTIES - ACTRESS

Female celebrities all over the world, because of the nature of their jobs and their status in society have an exotic and often highly developed sense of fashion and sexy actress Baby Blanche is no different.

Due to the kind of clothes she likes to wear and is comfortable in, Baby Blanche has revealed in an interview with Showbiz that she hardly wears panties when she’s going out.

“I love all kinds of lingerie that make a woman feminine because I’m a woman, but I hardly wear panties. This is not because I don’t want to wear them but because the clothes I love to wear wouldn’t permit me to,” she told Showbiz.

“I try as much as possible to act as a lady and not to let my panty lines show just because I like to wear dresses that hug my figure. So if I wear clothes and the outline of my panty is glaring like that I don’t like it,” she explained.

“Being a lady is not only about wearing make-up and Brazilian hair but also comprises the propriety of whatever you’re wearing,” says Baby Blanche.

Baby Blanche says she does not worry much about thoughts that she may be sexually attacked by unscrupulous men because she makes sure she doesn’t go to awkward places at awkward times. “ I wouldn’t ever put myself at risk by finding myself at an awkward place at an awkward time.”

Talking about her the progress of movie career, the actress says she refuses to be type-cast any longer in so-called ‘sexy’ roles as had happened in the past, she now chooses roles that are challenging because as an actress she believes she should be able to play different roles.

“When I first get a script, I read it and think about it. Do I really want to do this job? Is the story catchy enough? I just don’t say because I’m an actress I accept just any script. I read a script and if I’m interested, I give it a shot. I want to be challenged this time around so I want daring scripts that would have more challenging roles,” she explained.

Having been out of the limelight for some time now she says she is back with a vengeance.

“I’ve been away from movie sets for a while due to personal reasons. But I’ve sat down and decided that this is where I belong and this is my passion. My family and my fans let me know that this is my talent and since then, I’ve done three movies so they should watch out. I’m coming back soon, better and rebranded.”

Baby Blanche was discovered by Socrates Safo of Movie Africa Productions and started acting about four years ago. She has appeared in several movies helmed by the famed producer/director, including Hot Fork, Adults Only, What S*x Can Do, among others.

She assures her fans of nothing but the best from her in subsequent movies. “I can assure my fans that anytime they see me in a movie it will be something they will really want to sit back and watch. I’m going to surprise a lot of people who do not know the depth of my talent,” Baby Blanche says.

“I thank my fans for the support and the encouragement I’ve been getting on social media, like Facebook and Instagram. Had it not been them, there would be no point in me being out there. I thank them and everybody who wants me to come back. And I thank my enemies because they give me the urge to strive and give off my best,” she added.

The sexy actress says the parts of her body she feels most comfortable flaunting on any day are her flat tummy and her legs. She says she does it only to ‘tease a little’.