JIM IYKE INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT!

Credible reports reaching Peacefmonline.com indicates that Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has been involved in a ghastly car accident which occurred Saturday February 22.

According to a reliable source the unfortunate incident happened around Kanda Highway in Accra on his way to the location of a new movie.

The ‘bad boy’ actor was admitted at the Nyaho Medical Centre Accra Ghana. According to Molokwupeter.blogspot.com, Jim Iyke was unresponsive to treatment after the crash and his actress girlfriend Nadia Buari and her mum have been with him at the hospital since the accident on Saturday.

According to reliable information available today, the actor is now responding to treatment and will be discharged as soon as he is strong enough to go home. 

A Source closed to the actor has also disclosed that the car he was driving is a Chevrolet Camero saloon car belonging his girlfriend Nadia.

We also gather that the crash may have occurred due to brake failure and over speed. 

AFTER LANDLORD THROWS EMEKA IKE OUT OF HIS HIS RENTED MAGODO APARTMENT SEE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY

Speaking to Saturday Sunon the development, Emeka, wondered why the media should be interested in his private life

According to him, “there is a position now, because I don’t want people who have not achieved anything in their lives to use unnecessary distractions to gain prominence. It is my money and investments and it is not a national crisis.

STATE OF THE NATION: DON’T BLAME PREZ. MAHAMA – SAYS YVONNE NELSON

The news-making actress, Yvonne Nelson does not only talk about acting, heartbreak and bleaching, she also has some say when it comes to governance and the state of the economy.

The actress shared her thoughts on the state of the Ghanaian economy when she conversed with KOD on GHOne’s Hanging out with KOD’ – where she expressed her displeasure on the inability of her leaders to provide basic things like water, electricity and fuel for the people.

The ‘House of Gold’ actress admitted that she is not happy with African politicians including those in Ghana and what is going on in the country. However, she thinks President John Mahama should not be blamed for the current state of our economy especially on issues to do with water shortages and inconsistent electricity supply.

“I am not happy with the politicians! No, Iam not. We have a lot of issues so we can’t blame the current President for anything. I believe that these things have been going on for a very long time so you can’t blame him because he is our current leader. Most of our problems started from the previous administrations,” she said.

By her declaration, Yvonne has taken a u-turn on her thoughts on the President considering her tweet last year on how President Mahama should do something on the state of the economy.

Asked what she would tell the President if she gets to spend 10 minutes with him, Yvonne said, “Basically, general developmental issues will be discussed. Things we see around us like electricity, water and other utilities are causing us headaches these days.”

“I sit back and see politicians and the things they say about helping their own people and when they come to power, they act like we are all good. When we complain, it’s like nothing happens.

“I do vote every election year but what does it do anyways? Voting is good but empty promises are too much and it’s about time our leaders act,” Yvonne stressed.

She also stated that Ghanaians have a bad attitude of being comfortable with everything and most of us are scared to talk about things we are not happy about. “It is a Ghanaian attitude. We are very comfortable and when are not happy about certain things, some of us are afraid to speak about it and it is bad.”

Asked what she thinks can be done to better the situation in Ghana now, she proposed, “I think for now, things that affect Ghanaians such as utilities like electricity and fuel should be tackled because these are things that we use on daily basis and if the prices are high, we will complain.

The leggy actress said she would have loved to serve in a political office in order to help make Ghana a better place. “I would love to help Ghana but I don’t like the way politicians go about their operations and how they make promises and renege on them but I would like to serve and help Ghana if things are done well.”

On what she loves about Ghana she said, “I do all these for Ghana. I want to project Ghana and Africa for people to see what we are capable of doing.”

The former beauty queen, actress, film Producer and philanthropist said she would love to be the voice of the people in future, “I just want to be a voice for the people. I believe a lot of people in Ghana are not happy,” she conclude.

BBC BANS GHANAIAN MUSICIAN FOR “HATEFUL” COMMENT

Popular comedian, Hip-life musician and political satirist A-Plus real name Kwame Asare Obeng has been blackballed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) AFRICA for a comment on their Facebook wall. Controversial A-Plus who is also an anti-gay campaigner stated categorically on the international platform that, Africans hates homosexuality’s despite the imposed by some foreigners leaders to make it legal. His comment came after Uganda’s leader has signed into law a bill toughening penalties for gay people but without a clause criminalizing those who do not report them. However, US President Barack Obama had cautioned that the bill would be a backward step. He described it as “more than an affront, and a danger to, Uganda's gay community. It will be a step backwards for all Ugandans” But A-Plus who seems upset with Mr. Obama’s statement posted on BBC AFRICA Facebook wall that “There is a one way mission to Mars. All gays can join. Fortunately you are not coming back to earth. Africa hates you. We hate gays.” In a sharp riposte, BBC AFRICA publicly banned the Ghanaian musician by saying “And fortunately you are not coming back here. You are hereby banned from posting on BBC AFRICA Facebook for your hateful message. We are also reporting you to Facebook. This is a space for healthy comment and debate but we reserve the right to delete comments which are racist, sexist, homophobic, sexually explicit, abusive or otherwise objectionable.” Adding that “BBC AFRICA also reserve the right to ban users whose posts promote hate speech or advocate violence of any kind” Kwame Asare Obeng (A-Plus) also known for his hit track “Mesuro mpo na merekeka yi o” further posted that “Tweaa! Come to Ghana and you will get what that means. Still no gays in Africa”

BLEACHING IS BAD - PASCALINE EDWARDS

The issue of bleaching amongst Ghanaian female celebrities has inundated the media front in recent times with one actress or TV personality being accused of altering their skin colour every day.

One popular actress who was one of the first celebrities to be indicted for bleaching is Pascaline Edwards.

Edwards took a lot of backlash from fans and industry observers when her released photos some years ago depicted some skin colour change.

In an exclusive interview with the actress, she denied ever bleaching and stated emphatically, ‘Bleaching is bad, but I am not ready to educate the stars who are into bleaching because they are mature enough to know that bleaching is bad’.

Asked if she will advise them against the act giving the opportunity she responded, ‘Hell no: I have other important business to do, so I can’t waste my time to go and research more about bleaching movie stars.’

On whether she’s aware and can mention some of the names of the various movie stars who bleach, she said that she’s not in position to mention the name of any celebrity who bleaches, because every celebrity has his or her own reasons for doing what he or she does.

According to her, she has heard that some Ghanaian celebrities bleach for movie roles, but she doesn't believe that statement, because she’s fair and doesn't get roles in recent times: so if indeed it’s true that celebrities who bleach do so because of movie roles she would have been getting more roles than she’s getting now.

GHANAIAN MUSICIANS MUST PAY IF THEY WANT THEIR SONGS OUT THERE TO BE PLAYED

For many years, we’ve smoked ourselves in the US 1950’s doctrine of Payola without necessary looking at the cross-sectional effects—especially the benefits of paying for your music to be hugely played on radio stations.

Ghanaian songs are not going anywhere and this is partly due to the fact that, our musicians have bought into this concept of; ‘I will not pay for my music to be played or promoted’, wrongly terming every payment for radio broadcast as POYOLA, a contraction of “pay” and Victrola record players.

Now let me emphatically mention that, paying a DJ to play your song on radio is not PAYOLA and there is nothing wrong with it—be it legal or moral.

According to the U.S. law, 47 U.S.C. § 317 which gives grounds to PAYOLA, the illegal act of PAYOLA takes place when a radio station plays a specific song in exchange for money, service or other valuable consideration directly or indirectly and fails to disclose on air as being sponsored airtime—rather, presents the song as being part of the normal day’s broadcast.

All around the world, musicians and record companies pay HUGELY for their songs to be played/promoted on radio stations, online and TV. There is nothing wrong with such payments; the only thing wrong is when those broadcasting the songs fail to state that their actions are sponsored.

In fact, I consider Payola as an intelligent crime against radio listeners and not even the musicians so why are the musicians in Ghana rather the ones heavily fighting it?

Have we sat down to think of this? What is the difference between paying for your music video to be shown on a TV station and paying for your music to be played on radio?

If there are equally good or crap songs out there and a DJ has a limited time on his hands, I see nothing wrong if a musician buys 4 minutes of the DJ’s airtime to make sure his song is played—-and remember the catch, as long as the DJ makes it clear to the listeners that this is a promo or does not present the song as being part of the normal day’s broadcast, that is not illegal and it is not called Payola.

Ghanaian musicians are seriously failing to market and promote their songs. Most think printing out some promo CDs and handing it out to a few radio stations is just enough—and that compels the radio stations to play their songs.

What stops a musician from walking into the marketing department of a radio station, buy airtime as they do for their music videos and make sure their new songs are heard?

To me, it is time musician’s re-evaluate the concept of Payola and ensure that while not breaking the law, they can get their songs out there, especially when the industry is over-saturated.

In law, the playing of a song and acceptance of money to do so is perfectly legal, and does not constitute payola. It is it the failure to let listeners know through an announcement that payment has been made that makes this act a misdemeanor offense.

Like it was once said, “Hell, there’s payola in every industry. It’s common knowledge that most products and services are sold not just on their interest quality. For example, food companies often pay retailers to give their products prominent placement on store shelves. None of that is illegal. It is all an accepted way of doing business. We can argue whether it is ethical, but it’s not illegal”.

I am not saying Payola should be championed, because it is a crime against radio listeners. However, I am saying, payola is not what most of us think it is—-and that paying a radio station to play your song is not payola. It becomes payola when the radio station deceives its listeners by presenting the song as being part of the normal day’s broadcast.

If Obaapa tomatoes can pay and advertise on radio stations, nothing stops a musician from paying and advertising his music too. A commercial like; ‘Hey Charley, have you heard the new song from Efya or Sarkodie, it dey be k3k3—and a minute of the song being played—thereafter’ during allocated commercial time can never be illegal and it will do magic!

SOCRATES SAFO QUITTING MOVIES FOR LIQUID SOAP...

This may come across as a joke but controversial Ghanaian filmmaker Socrates Sarfo says he is thinking about quitting filmmaking because he is no longer making profit from the movies due to unprofessional activities in the industry. He told NEWS-ONE’s Francis Addo that he is now into the production of a liquid soap called Soc Liquid Soap.

Where has Mr.Socrates Sarfo been hiding?

I am not hiding. I sleep at home where I live with my family and go to work at my office.

We have not seen much of you since last year. Have you stopped producing movies?

I’m stopping.

Why?

I’m fasting and praying that I will have the courage to stop because it’s abnormal to me when you are dealing in an environment made up of abnormal thinking people.

You mean the industry or the country as a whole?

The film industry in Ghana, I mean.

Why do you say they think abnormally?

They are not smart. I think the problem is either the food they eat or the water they drink. I wonder why they can’t add a simple 1+1 to get a simple answer. How come in a population of 25 million we can’t easily sell 100, 000 copies of a movie to break even?

What exactly do you want them to do?

Everyone is losing money, yet it looks like they are just happy to get a camera and a group of wannabe actors, then a story and then they shoot a movie, then they head straight to TV stations and beg for it to be shown on TV. They are only happy to see it being shown on TV but they don’t think of how to raise money to pay their production cost.

The distributors also get the films from you and give them out to people who hold themselves as retailers without capital for free and the producer is ignored and denied his money…Kwasiasem!

What do you think is causing the problem and how do we arrest it?

I’m tired. There is nothing new to tell them.

What has FIPAG done about it?

I’ve said all that needs to be told to sensible people but they don’t get it. For years I have been talking about systems and structures. We need to put them in their proper places, yet they don’t get it. So I won’t be stupid to go down with them.

Sounds like you are really angry about this?

I am not angry, I’m tired.

What structures do you propose?

I’ve told them all that already. How does one get to be a producer? What structures are there for exploration of the works and distribution channels needed to be fixed?

Which movie did you last produce?

I am now into soap production. Soc Liquid Soap is what I’m into now. It’s for washing and cleaning.

So are you seriously stopping filmmaking?

Should I write it in English for you to understand?

I hear the problem is the sale of movies.

Many people are watching films now but they are not watching what we are selling, just tune to any TV channel and you can watch film for free so why buy with money.

Has the problem with movie sales got something to do with the general economic challenge in the country?

No no no, don’t bring economy into this. It’s that we are giving it out for free on TV, so they don’t see the need to pay for it. Have people stop buying pure water?

Don’t you think it will be unfair to compare the two?

If you create the interest for it by advertising, people will go for it but when it can be accessed for free why should someone use money to buy? That’s my point.

But Socrates, I think some people like Abdul Salam are still making movies? And I believe they are making money.

My wife has even stopped driving to opera to collect films from the shop for free because she gets them for free on TV. How much more someone who buys with money?

You used the right expression, ‘Believe they are making money.’ As for making films you can but how about making your money back? As for me I will be truthful with the facts. I’m not making money anymore if someone chooses to brag about himself, fine; that’s his or her problem.

Are you saying some people are only bragging and not making money as we are being told?

I am speaking about myself. I don’t know about others.

Socrates, do you think the best way is to opt out of the industry?

For now, that is the sensible thing any smart person will do. I am not Hercules to take the whole industry on my shoulders and force them to do things right. I don’t believe in luck; I rely on strategic planning.

Socrates, tell readers about yourself.

I’m a native of Kwahu Abetifi in the Eastern Region of Ghana. I was born in Accra, attended Amamomo-1 Primary, then to Ayalolo-1 Boys Middle, then to Mercedes Benz GNTC Technical Institute. I grew up on the streets of Bukom. Fortunately, I am gainfully married to a woman that God prepared for a man like me.

Your wife is a Pastor.

It’s her prayers that keep me going and it takes a special kind of woman to manage a man like me and take care of my four stubborn children-three boys and a girl.

Did you ever feature any of your children in your movies?

I will never advise or allow any of my children to go into movies.

Where is Baby Blanche?

She is in her house, I believe.

When did you officially start filmmaking?

We finished shooting on July 1, 1986 and managed to release it on May 3, 1988 at the Globe Cinema.