JOHN DUMELO GRABBED IN NEW YORK

One of Ghana’s most celebrated actors, John Dumelo seems to have landed into trouble in the United States of America (USA), where he went to recently to receive an award.

From what he posted on the internet, the police in New York city flagged him down for breaking a traffic offence of the land.

He was said to have switched lane while driving in the city.

“That awkward moment when the police pull u over and start thinking of the best excuse to give them. My offense: I switched lanes.....ah! I miss Ghana! #melo moment #police selfie,” the actor posted online a moment ago.

I STILL CREATE TIME FOR MY FAMILY—ACTOR

Though many people think entertainers do not spend ample time with their family members, recent happenings have shown that they do create time to be with their relations despite the busy schedules of attending to work and social functions.

The likes of Omoni Oboli, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde have shown that family is sacred to them and would do everything to spend time with them.

One of Nollywood handsome actors, Ramsey Noah has revealed that despite his busy schedule, he still creates time for his family. The actor said despite the fact that he tries to take his job seriously, he does not jeopardize family for work.

In his words, “I try my best to be as professional as I can on set and at the same time be the best husband that I can be at home.”

Ramsey covered the latest edition of Glitz Africa magazine.

CASTRO IS NOT DEAD...HE HAS CHANGED HIS HAIRCUT

Private legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has alleged that some individuals close to Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan have attempted bribing the parents of missing hiplife artist, Theophilus Tagoe to keep mute over his fate.

Tagoe, popularly known as Castro and a lady friend, Janet Badu, disappeared on the Ada estuary while jet skiing on a holiday with Gyan at Ada. The two have not been found since the accident. Critics of the Stars’ skipper have accused him of using his friend for spiritual purposes.

Speaking to Adom FM, Ampaw said he is aware of efforts by some powerful people in society to ensure that media discussions over the matter is ceased.

“I am told the guy is not dead and that he has changed his haircut. Who are they trying to joke with” he fumed.

“Now I am provoking the police to act. I can tell you for a fact that attempts have been made to bribe Castro’s parents but they failed.” he alleged.

Maurice Ampaw had earlier called for the arrest of Gyan over the matter.

WE ARE PRAYING FOR CASTRO’S RETURN – ADEBAYOR

“Asamoah Gyan is one of the best players in Africa and he showed it today by scoring a great goal for his country.

“That’s why I respect a lot of African players, players like Drogba, Eto’O, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari. We get a lot of problems with our national teams, we get problems with our countries but we still show commitment and turn up to play.

“Look at the problems Asamoah Gyan and his family are going through. People are saying a lot of things they don’t know about and it’s sad. We all like Castro and we are all praying for him to come back. So I think it’s very bad what people are saying about Asamoah Gyan.

“He showed how good he is today, this is a player who showed how special he is by scoring a great goal today and I say congratulations.” – Adebayor, speaking to Journalist, Rusell Wiafe, after yesterday’s game.

I ONLY ROCK ON STAGE NOT ON BED - MZVEE

Young dancehall musician, MzVee, who often gets her audience excited by the way she twerks and winds her waist during live performances says most men get it wrong when they equate how well a woman dances to how good she may be in bed.

“I don't understand it”, she told Showbiz, “why some men think that because of the suggestive dance moves I make on stage, I am automatically naughty or I’m a bad girl.

“I know most women performers suffer such stereotyping but I would want to say that, the fact that I do that does not mean I am enticing any man to go to bed with me.

“Dance moves do not make me good in bed neither am I what they perceive me to be when they see me on stage or in my music videos.

The truth of the matter is that, I love to dance and I am good at twisting and winding my waist which so far, I think has been very helpful to me as a performer.”

When MzVee was bluntly asked whether in real life she considers herself to be good in bed, she refused to answer the question.

“Right now, I am not dating so I’m sorry I can’t answer that question, but all I can say is at the right time, the right person who can give you the testimony and the right answer will come,” she giggled.

Describing who she really is, she said “I am a very principled person. I come from a disciplined family where no form of indecent behaviour is accepted so it sometimes baffles me when people think I am a naughty girl because of what I do on stage.

“I think, it is about time people get to know how showbiz works, you need to be identified with something and for me, dancing is what I can add to my singing so that I can be distinguished from my colleagues.

“But in all, I appreciate it because it shows that people are able to identify me with certain things and that is the dream of any artiste, to be, identified among the lot”, she said.

According to the Revolution singer, she has a choreographer who takes her through vigorous dance lessons before she performs on stage or does music videos.

Born Vera Hamenoo – Kpeda, the Keta-born musician is a student at Ghana Telecom University. She was the lead singer in the defunct all-girl group, D3 and she won the Unsung Artiste of the Year at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

MzVee is set to start her Tip Toeing Party tour and her first stop will be Vienna City in Kumasi on September 20. The tour is in preparation for the release of her maiden album, Re-Vee-Lation, on November 1.

She is popular for songs like Borkor Borkor, Harmatan, Natural Girl, Revolution, Dancehall Queen, Re-Vee-Lation, Gimme Dat and My Everything.

"I WANT PRAYE TO PROPOSE AGAIN"

Former Big Brother Africa housemate, Selly, can be a rather funny young woman sometimes, people who are close to her say.

The actress and television show host is asking her boyfriend of four years-plus to do an unusual thing, propose to her all again.

Selly’s boyfriend, Praye Tietia, a member of the once popular Praye Hiplife trio, curiously was the one who set Selly’s mind to the unusual request.

Last month, when Selly’s mother was marking her birthday, Praye sent her a message on Facebook referring to her as 'mother-in-law'.

He wrote, “Happy Birthday to the most amazing mother-in-law. I love you." But it seems the harmless gesture was taken quite seriously by some people. Their case?

Praye Tietia also known as Big J should not refer to Selly’s mother as an in-law since there had not been formal rites to tie their union.

The argument had gone back and forth in social media circles until last Tuesday when Selly came to the defence of her heartthrob. “We have both noted the concerns of many of our fans and followers but we don’t want to be pressured at all.

Why the pressure? There shouldn’t be anything of that sort because we are two mature adults and know what we are about,” she said.

According to Selly, who is in her twenties, as the only child, she has been receiving similar concerns from her mother but has convinced her into understanding that the “real deal will come on when the time is due."

The exposure from her Big Brother participation no doubt opened many opportunities for Selly afterwards and she admitted that, she is poised to make a success out of such endeavours, the reason she said have put their legalising their relationship on hold for now.

“It is not that I appreciate being with a man who has not formally married me. I know my worth as a woman. It hurts to read some demeaning comments about my person, but I want people to know that, I don’t want my children to go hungry, so I’m building a strong future for them.

“Thankfully, after Big Brother, I have had big deals and opportunities and I want to build my career. That is what I’m doing now. Marriage would come afterwards. But for now, I say ‘we don’t need this pressure,” she stated.

Even though Selly has been defending Big J, she took a romantic swipe at her sweetheart when she issued an “ultimatum” to him to officially propose to her again.

“He gave me a promissory ring two years ago just to drive away the men but I want a special proposal this time around. That proposal has expired. I want a new one,” she jokingly said.

Currently, the host of Cine Afrik Premieres on Multi TV, Selly who lost out on the award for the Most Promising Actress at the City People’s Awards earlier this year said she has plans on hitting it big on the screens next year.

“I thank God that my show on Multi TV is doing well, and my acting career is also getting better each day. I’m just grateful people appreciate the talent that I have. But the public should expect something big from Big J and I soon," she hinted.

When asked to give details of the “hidden” project, she remarked, “It is a surprise so would lose its secrecy when I disclose what we have in store. What I can say for now is that, there is a new branded Praye Tietia in the making."

As a way of giving back to the society, Selly noted that she plans on spending her birthday which falls on September 26, with some orphanages in the country.

She said that her fans should watch out for the launch of her new cosmetic range of products this year.

JOYCE BLESSING STANDS OUT AMONG OTHERS

There is an out of the ordinary surveillance in the music industry which is needed to be discussed, and I believe after reading this article; you will also do your assessment and come to conformity with me.

Before the 2014 VGMA hosted on May 3, which happened to be the 15th Edition, the assessment so far is that, all the songs that were nominated be it most popular or the other categories such as gospel song of the year, Afro-pop song of the year, Highlife song of the year and many others.

The categories had hit songs like: Shatta Wale's 'Dancehall King', Kwabena Kwabena's 'Adult music', Joey B's 'Tonga', O.J's 'Maye se mo pen', Pope Skinny's 'Hotcake', Cecilia Marfo's 'Osoree Nnwom, Castro's 'Odo pa', Sonnie Badu's 'Wonder God', Patience Nyarko's 'Menwu, Guru's 'Boys Abre', Samini's 'Scatter badmind and many others.

The gospel diva Joyce Blessing from the camp of Media Excel who entered the industry with the 'Heavy Price' album like 'Egwuama', 'Heavy Price', 'Monko Mo Akyi' and others has so far been on top of her game.

Though she didn’t win all the awards she aspired to win in the categories she was nominated, Joyce Blessing and her Management team have been distinct, compared to other artistes who had more awards.

Her songs have been able to stand the test of time, and she still enjoys more airplay than most of the musicians in some categories she was nominated for.

One does not know whether it`s a sort of some secret that is being employed by her management or it`s the fact that the songs are good themselves that is why they are flying like that.

INTERIM BOARD ASSURES, "THERE IS HOPE FOR GHAMRO"

The interim board of the Ghana Music Right Organization (GHAMRO) has released a statement spelling out strategies it intends to use in ensuring transparency with the affairs of the organization.

The statement, read by a member of the interim board and music publisher, Enoch Agyepong, during the first press conference of GHAMRO on the 28th of August, 2014 at Oak Plaza, stated:

As part of building transparency, the board will publish its financial Statements monthly in dailies at the Office Noticeboard and also a copy sent to AG. The board will also hold Stakeholders meeting in October.

“There is going to be an Open Door Policy. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Linkedin and YouTube have been created for questions and suggestions and interactions," he added.

Under the theme, “Current State of GHAMRO And The Way Forward”, the first Press Conference was organized, according to the board, to lay bare the current state of affairs of GHAMRO, what has been done since assuming the office and the way forward.

The interim Public Relations Officer, Kwame Nsiah Apau, also talking about the current state of GHAMRO’s account, revealed that since their appointment as receiver managers, they have been able to receive an amount of twenty-five thousand Ghana Cedis and saved in a Guaranty Trust Bank account.

The conference was attended by veteran musicians like Nana Ampadu, Kojo Antwi, Ekow Micah, Randy Nono, Akosua Agyapong to mention a few. In the course of the conference, an agitation came up among some of the stakeholders.

Most of the agitation was due to the previous board’s lack of an opportunity to let people express themselves.

According to Kwame Nsiah Apau, though the agitations disturbed the cordial tempo of the press conference, any opportunity for people to vent themselves is a good thing because then at least we know what people are thinking so going forward the board will know what to do.

This is one of the issues to tackle during the stakeholders meeting in October 2014.

"STAY TRENDY IF YOU WANT TO BOUNCE BACK"

CEO of Bullhaus Entertainment and the manager of popular dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, Bulldog, says if old and veteran musicians have the same level of drive and passion they had in their peak time, it will be easy for them to return to the music scene and into the spotlight again.

Bulldog was reacting to issues concerning the return of veteran musicians into the current musical scene and trend.

Many are of the view that veteran musicians cannot compete the current crop and surge of musical trends in the country if they keep to their trends and genre of music.

Bulldog believes passion and drive can bring any artiste who has petered out of the musical scene back onto the scene to compete.

Bulldog stated that his outfit, Bullhaus which manages artistes including Natural Face, artiste of the year Shatta Wale, and veteran female artiste Pauline Oduro, was ready to work with any of the old musicians provided they are willing to adapt to the changes in the musical landscape.

"I'M NOT THE DANCEHALL QUEEN YET" - MZVEE ANNOUNCES

MzVee whose real name is Vera Hamenoo-Kpeda has been around for eight months and has managed to bait tons of adoring fans to her music.

Her fans have declared her their Dancehall Queen, fanning the flames of an ongoing debate on who runs the female sector of Ghanaian dancehall music, MzVee however chooses to remain modest and humble, stating in her new song that she is still rising and isn't yet a queen.

When Lynx entertainment announced the release of MzVee's latest tune "My Time" featuring Lil Shaker, fans went mad with anticipation, displaying the level of trust they have invested in her; MzVee fans were certain that their diva will thrill them yet again.

The song displays MzVee's ability to flow on any instrumental as she seemed comfortable on the hardcore hip-hop beat created by multiple awards winning producer Richie Mensah.

In a chat with MzVee, she stated that the song is a statement "After a lot of hard work, its time to appreciate my fans and declare that it's our time" the bubbly singer stated.

Listening to the track, even the sternest of all critics will appreciate the lyrical ability of MzVee as the song carries an impressive level of word play.

Lil shaker after dropping impressive hooks and chorus on many hit songs proves himself worthy again. He is heard declaring MzVee a confident conqueror on the chorus of this song.

After blessing the song with great vocals, he states in GA that its about to go down, MzVee then responds chanting in her native Evé dialect that she has arrived, the aggressive approach tells that she is not in for jokes.

MzVee embraces her success so far and displays her unwillingness to relax as she declares "Started from the bottom now I'm rising, not a queen yet, but the throne I'm climbing " she says.

"Its too early to declare myself a queen, if I do that now, there will nothing left to say when I'm at the top. " the musician retorted.

DOCTORS, CINEMATOGRAPHY BOARD APPROVES 'EBOLA' MOVIE

After the leak on a try poster for Kumasi-based movie producer, Samuel Ofori’s upcoming movie on the deadly virus, Ebola; some concerned Doctors quickly proposed for a copy for preview.

This was to confirm if the movie isn’t the usual Kumawood style, and the production team was privileged to be at the doctor’s premiere over the weekend in Kumasi.

Surprisingly, Doctors of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital had a simultaneous line in an interview, a nurse from Atasemanso Clinic, Madam Dorcas Asibey said, “Indeed, the movie is very educative, hope the government comes on board to support the producer. The movie educates on the preventive measures. I love the new Kumawood.”

President of Cinematography Exhibition Board of Ghana (CEB)also approved of the movie, ‘Ebola’ officially adding a remarkable text, “We will call on the Health Ministry to assist this creative piece. Let us know when you will be in Accra, congrats!”

The Actor-cum-director, who was overwhelmed by the response, displayed the remarkable text from the Censorship board during the interview.
Well, the official poster is out now and a teaser that awaits a subtitled trailer.

"FOR EBOLA SAKE, LETS FAKE KISSING IN MOVIES"

Ghanaian actor Adjetey Annan, popularly known as Pusher has suggested that kissing in movies should be faked to prevent actors from contracting the deadly Ebola disease.

The actor in an interview with Joy FM proposed that stakeholders should find ways to make the movie industry healthier.

According to him, kissing in movies should be stopped at this period when the dangerous Ebola is widely spreading.

"These are different times in the country so whatever we are facing, we need to find ways and means of going around it to make our industry healthier.

There is a need for us not really to kiss, but to fake it, we should make it believable with the help of camera angle," he said.

Adding, “you can never know who has the disease. You can’t say that this guy looks healthy, so there is no problem with it. We can continue our kiss when things are clear about the disease.”

GHS50,000 FOR A KUMAWOOD MOVIE?

For those who have always had issues with movies produced in the Twi language and might have wondered how much goes into their making, report has it that it is very expensive to make a Kumawood movie.

Renowned Kumasi-based movie producer, Paul Gee, has told Flex newspaper that about GH¢50,000 is needed to make a standard movie.

Another producer and PRO of FIPAG Mr Michael Kwaku Ola also said actors such as Agya Koo, LiWin, Akrobeto, Kyeiwaa and Nana Ama Mcbrown to mention but a few would charge between Ghc.1500 and GHS 5000 cedis.

Ola Michael added that with the aged such as Katawere, who are quite weak and can't take many difficult roles, they won't take less than GH¢1,000.

All things being equal; a movie involving about 5 of these top names would cost close to GHS15000 just for payment of the cast.

This tells clearly that these movie producers are putting in so much to produce these movies, but the quality of movies produced would continue to engender controversy among movie lovers.

After all is said and done, one will have to come to the market to find out whether they can recoup the amount they invest into these movies or not.

BEFORE DISAPPEARING, CASTRO WAS WARNED ABOUT JANET BANDU

Several months have passed since sensational hiplife musician, Theophilus Tagoe, known in showbiz cycles as “CASTRO UNDERFYRE” and Janet Bandu went missing.

Castro had accompanied his pal and Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, and other friends for a weekend rendezvous at the 'Peace Holiday Resort' In Ada.

Peace FM had the opportunity to interview a close pal of Janet Bandu who gave a full account of what happened.

According to Alberta, Janet Bandu’s friend, upon the invitation of a male friend, she and Bandu travelled to Ada to have fun with Asamoah Gyan and Castro.

She reveals a live band team was hired to entertain them and so upon arrival at the resort, they danced till it was late night.

“We didn’t sleep early because of the live band music and woke up late the following day. The next day, Janet and I saw Castro and our friend Sammy riding on a jet ski and we asked if we could join them - but we were not allowed so we came up with an idea that if we should ask for a picture, they would allow us.

We requested for a picture and they allowed us on the jet ski… Janet sat behind Castro and I sat behind Sammy. As the ride begun, I overheard Baffour Gyan shouting at Castro that, Janet isn’t wearing a live jacket so he shouldn’t go far with her but because of the sound of the waves - it made it difficult for him to hear the caution.

All of us wanted to get to where Asamoah Gyan was going to play volley but both riders took different directions and that was the end,” she recounted.

As to whether a spirit caused the disappearance of Castro and Janet Bandu, Alberta said she can’t tell.

She explains that parents of the missing Bandu shouldn’t fault her over an accident she has no hands in. She rather urged them to have faith in the Lord rather than retort to blame games.

“When news went viral that Castro and Janet were missing, we downplayed it. This is because we saw their jet ski floating on the river and someone claimed they had gone somewhere… I am the same person who directed the family of Janet Badu to the place she was staying. They never knew what she did for a living and where she stayed. It is sad they are threatening me now over the issue”, she said.

As a witness, Alberta says she hasn’t been invited by the Police to even write a statement. She however pledged to appear before them if the request reaches her.

SIDIKU BUARI CAUTIONS MUSIC STAKEHOLDERS

The former President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Alhaji Sidiku Buari, and former Vice President of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), has called on the stakeholders in the music industry in Ghana to put their differences behind them and work as a team to move the music industry forward.

Speaking in an interview with BEATWAVES, Alhaji Sidiku Buari said the in-fighting within the organisation would not help the industry to grow, adding, “A united musician’s body will aid and promote our well-being.”

The former MUSIGA president, who was once chairman of COSGA Oversight Committee for eight years, said Ghanaian musicians have a lot to gain if only they would come together and work as a team, pointing, “In order to win the support of the music stakeholders, the Ghana Music Right Organisation (GHAMRO) management team should exhibit transparency in their activities.”

He stressed that the members of the GHAMRO board should also see themselves as stewards who are taking care of one other’s precious properties and for that matter should bring their activities unto the door steps of stakeholders to avoid speculations and suspicion.

Sidiku Buari also urged GHAMRO to organise seminars and workshops to educate the people, royalty distribution, collective management organisation, piracy, among others.

The former MUSIGA president again advised the leadership of GHAMRO to put in place measures that would guarantee regular income for the right owners.

With over 52 awards to his credit, Sidiku Buari, who was appointed in 2014 as the vice president of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM) and served with distinction until the end of his term in 2008, is one of the pioneers of movie production in Ghana with his first production, ‘Ayalolo’ showed commercially in all the cinema houses throughout the country.

DKB THREATENS TO SUE AKOO NANA

Comedian Derick Kobina Bonney (DKB) has reacted with resentment to the lyrics of a song, ‘yawa’ by hiplife musician William Ankrah popularly known as Akoo Nana and threatened to sue the musician.

He has threatened to sue the musician for what he considers disparaging remarks about him.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM, the comedian said he is disappointed in Akoo Nana for passing such comments about him.

“I’m disappointed in Akoo Nana, I swear if I listen to the song and it’s really true, he will hear from my lawyers,” he said.

Hiplife musician, Akoo Nana, who is not new to controversies, boasts in his latest song – Yawa – that he has flirted with the girlfriends and wives of some key entertainment personalities including D-Black, DSP Kofi Sarpong, and comedian DKB.

The musicians said in the song: “DKB – Your girlfriend left you and is now chasing me because of your scary and scarface.”

However, the comedian feels disrespected and offended by the lyrics of the song.

“People will forgive him but I wouldn’t, he can’t take people for granted,” DKB added.

"SUGAR DADDIES CHASED ME FOR SEX"

Bubbly Ghanaian actress, Lydia Forson has revealed that sugar daddies used to chase her during her university days at University of Ghana.

The 'Scorned' actress said these old men showered gifts on her expecting something in return, but she never fell for their tricks. Lydia Forson disclosed this when giving synopses for her yet-to-be released movie, 'A Letter From Adam' on Radio Univers.

“Basically I wanted to talk about a contemporary love story that is not overly sexual or dramatic but a real love story. This movie just explores relationships. The key relationship in this movie is an older man and a younger girl. You know most times when we talk about these old men, sugar daddies?”

She further chanted “Legon girls!! Legon girls!!" This cheer by the actress resulted in the question “whilst you were on campus, did any old man come to you?”

The actress answered “they will come, but it depends on the choice you make.”

She added that “if you are a girl and an old man has not approached you then there is something wrong with you. They will come, but the question is; did you allow? If you will buy free food for me why should I reject it? I like free stuffs, but it doesn’t go beyond that. I don’t like complicated things.”

According to the best actress award-winner at the 2010 African Movie Academy Award, she never rejected the gifts by these men because she did not ask for the gifts but they willingly gave it out, “I did not request for it, you gave it and that is not a sin. So if he is sending a credit I shouldn’t take it? God forbid.”

Lydia Forson further advised that men should not give gifts to ladies with the intention of expecting something in return, "you should not give anything to anyone in this world with the intention of getting something back.

When you do that, it diminishes everything you did. So when I see a guy who gives free gifts expecting to get something back, I will just take them, and you will never get what you want” she told Abrantepa, host of the mid-morning show, Brunch2Lunch.

'A Letter from Adam' premieres on September 19 at the Silverbird Cinema in Accra.

The first self-produced movie of Lydia Forson is a contemporary story about love, loss and hopes and will draw audiences into a realistic cycle of life seen through the pain of loss, the journey of self-discovery and the courage and strength to find hope in the face of adversity.

Set in the busy yet simple city of Accra, 'A Letter From Adam' seeks to give the audience an often neglected truth about love – that love doesn’t always come in the form one expects it to.