Exactly Seventeen (17) years ago
today, 13th February, 1997, I started my career as a TV presenter. I was
at work by 5am, ready to do my work as a floor manager (that was what I
was supposed to do) for the first ever Breakfast Show on TV in Ghana.
But,
by sheer Grace, Favour and Mercy of God, Madam Beatrice Aidoo (May God
continue to bless her) asked me to sit on the red couch with her and
read the news papers while she reviewed with the late Harry Mozalas of
GNA. The rest, they say, is still History in the making.
The
first review in the news papers of me was “beautiful enough to decorate
the set, but not intelligent enough for the programme”. I wept and that
was when my dad gave me this advice, “the best form of revenge, is to
succeed”.
He encouraged me and urged me on. Mr Edward Boateng of
Global Media Alliance, who started the Breakfast show on GTV decided to
give me a chance. Mr Wallace Bampoe Addo ( the famous Uncle Wallace) saw
something in me and challenged me to do more.
Since 13th
February, 1997, I have interviewed thousands of people. Some have become
presidents (4 of them: Presidents John Kuffuor, John Mills, John Mahama
and Obasanjo, well before they announced to the world that they wanted
to be presidents and after they became presidents) and others who were
presidents, including Hellen Johnson Sirleaf, the late Muamar Gaddafi
etc, world leaders, ministers, political leaders, heads of institutions
and ordinary and everyday people like myself etc.
I have
travelled around this country and some parts of the world to do stories,
human interest stories and cover world events. I have hosted many
programmes and national events. I have hosted my own show, The
Standpoint, for the past five and half years. I have spoken on many
platforms including my favourite one, The Spring Board Road Show, three
years consistently.
Today, 13th February 2014, I am speaking to
about 2000 pupils on Sèx and Sèxuality at Kaneshie. I don’t need to tell
you that it’s been a rough road, it’s been challenging and sometimes
heart breaking. But I have continued to push on, stayed focus and
passionate, all by the Grace of God. I have listened to advice and taken
in criticisms, while holding my head high, while moving on.
The
Question is: what are people saying about what you do? Do you love what
you do? With God, nothing is impossible. You can achieve your dreams
only if you believe, work hard and stay focused and trust God.. My
journey continues… Will you continue yours?
On my 17th
anniversary as a presenter, I hope my story inspires and motivates you
to do what you love to do despite the challenges. Much love.
Award winning actor Majid Michel has
left many movie enthusiasts wondering and confused as to what he really
meant by ‘there is no Ghollywood, it’s only Nollywood’ comment on HITZ, a
program on ONTV, an entertainment channel which operates under Sound
City TV in Nigeria.
Reports coming in from Nigeria has it that
the Ghanaian actor who is known for his lover boy roles declared on the
said program that there is nothing like Ghollywood as some Ghanaians
have claimed but there is only Nollywood in Africa and that it was
Nigeria that came up with the whole idea and made it a reality for
others to follow.
Now questions being raised by some sources from
Nigeria are ‘Does the movie industry in Ghana has a name or is there
any industry at all that Ghanaians can boast of?
Was Majid right
in his comments on the show? So where, from which movie industry at all
did he (Majid) started his movie career if his comments was well
understood?
Despite the hundreds of attempts and efforts to reach
the popular Ghanaian actor to explain his comments passed on HITZ on
OnTV have proved to be more or less impossible since his phone line
fails to go through.
Carlos Sakyi, the chairman of Ghana
music Rights Organization (GHAMRO), a collective society, yesterday told
'Beatwaves' that all those calling for his removal from office are
enemies of progress who do not want the development of the Ghanaian
music industry.
A section of the stakeholders in the music
industry have been on several radio programmes, castigating Carlos
Sakyi, K.K Kabobo and others for what they call incompetence,
unprofessionalism and lack of transparency being exhibited by (Carlos
Sakyi).
Reacting to various defamatory statements made against
him, Carlos said he had initially decided not to respond but his silence
had rather emboldened them to unleash more fabrications, thus making it
necessary for him to react.
He said, “All those fighting me are
enemies of progress. They lack a sense of direction. They are fighting a
lost battle. I don’t want to listen to them because I’m a focused
person. I don’t want to talk about their utterances because they don’t
make sense.”
On the accusations of the lack of transparency at
GHAMRO, Carlos responded: “The board is very transparent and for the two
years that we have operated, we have stayed on course and put money in
the pockets of the members. Since we took over we have made progress and
stakeholders are happy with our performance.”
Carlos Sakyi, who
has worked tirelessly towards the progress of the industry and also
improved the royalty collection and distribution system in Ghana, told
'Beatwaves' he had operated with absolute integrity and transparency.
He
entreated level-headed stakeholders, some of who are his close
colleagues, to restrain the troublemakers within their selfish agenda.
He
also warned music owners to beware of the unreliable veteran
stakeholders who are creating division by their poisonous sayings, which
carried no wight due to their track record of double standards.
It
is on record that since Carlos took over as chairman of GHAMRO, there
have been consistent unjustified attacks on his image without legitimate
basis through the making of false, baseless and irresponsible
statements.
Carlos Sakyi and his committed colleagues at GHAMRO
are focused on transforming the livelihoods and careers of GHAMRO
members and would ensure they earn a good living from the exploitation
of their music copyright works.
On the issue of piracy, the
chairman of GHAMRO noted that piracy undermined the legitimate market,
impoverished music owners and deprived government of tax revenue.
He
added that anti-piracy raids would continue unabated throughout the
country till the pirates whom he described as “thieves and industry
destroyers” were brought to book.
The rainmaker in gospel music,
Minister Sonnie Badu is preparing to visit his fans in Houston, Texas
with his worship teaching conference
The singer who has proven beyond
doubt that he is not just a dynamite when it comes to performing on
stage will through tour show his skills as a powerful teacher and
preacher of the gospel.
Dubbed the teach me how to worship
conference, Minister Sonnie Badu will take the participants through the
word of God and minister to souls. The conference which was established
five years ago has been relevant to many worship leaders over the years.
According
to Sonnie, the decision to organize the conference stems from his
realization that the body of Christ needs to know who God is and the
power of his might.
“The event is free because I started teaching
myself everything when I had no other”, he emphasized. The worship
conference is scheduled for March 20th to 23rd 2014 and the venue is the
chapel of Restoration, Houston, Texas.
The teach me how to
worship conference is free and interested persons should register at
www.sonniebadu.com before the event date. The tour will be replicated in
other countries at a later time.
Meanwhile, Minister Sonnie Badu
and his management wishes to send thank you messages to fans, patrons,
sponsors, media partners and all who contributed to the success of his
shows; Accra and Kumasi.
“I am grateful for your support, help, patience, prayers and encouragement. God bless you all”, he added.
Her breakup with Nigerian musician,
Iyanya, a year ago brewed a lot of media fuss, but Ghana’s sexy actress,
Yvonne Nelson, appears to be fantasizing about who her next man will
be.
In a new tweet Tuesday touching on her sex life, the multiple
award-winning actress suggested she is far from meeting her ‘Adam’ but
enjoying her secondary chastity; a year after the break up with
boyfriend Iyanya.
“The guy I love...see him only in my dreams...
He's only in my head and dreams...will let you know when I meet him one
on one,” Yvonne tweeted.
For now, the once Miss Ghana contestant
appears to be relishing what she termed “secondary virginity” until she
meets the next or perhaps the last man that she would spend the rest of
her life with. “But for now, my secondary virginity is still on,” she
revealed on twitter with an applause, ostensibly for that feat in her
sexual life.
And for those who still may think Yvonne is having a
secret relationship with co-actor, John Dumelo, here is her response:
“Ok! Now about John Dumelo, I love him like a brother; we go wayyy back!
So charley guys relaxxx. Love him tooo much to date him”.
BBA The Chase winner, Namibia’s
Dillish Matthews, may be having a heartbreak after another report of her
splitting with Stephen comes up.
Lately, she has been spotted
having a romantic dinner with a new guy named Flavour and all pictures
of of herself and her beloved Steven on her instagram page has
dissappeared.
News of the pair splitting is not new. In 2013,
Dillish had to release a photo to prove they were still together when
news of their split came up. She shared pictures taken at a friend’s
wedding ceremony with him.
There has been no attempt by Dillish to rubbish the recent rumour about thier alleged break-up.
Last week the news that Nollywood
actor Osita Iheme was getting married to a Ghanaian lady went viral but
it has emerged that it is totally false.
Osita, famously known as
Pawpaw, has denied the rumoured marriage stating he is already used to
such stories since he was the best man at his friend Chinedu Ikedieze
(Aki)’s wedding in December 2011.
He has been associated with
different ladies since Chinedu got married. Some of the ladies include
Ghanaian actress Nana Ama McBrown and London-based model, Brenda Gowon,
who was allegedly said to have dumped him in 2008.
Pawpaw,
reacting to the married rumour, is quoted to have said: "Na lie! There’s
no such thing, they are just rumours." Osita isn't leaving the league
of bachelors anytime soon, he is still available.
