A REP IS YET TO BE SELECTED FOR 2014 MISS WORLD – EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

Organisers of the Miss Ghana pageant have debunked reports that a new queen was selected to replace Miss Ghana 2013, Guissepina Nana Akua Baafi, who was stripped of her title last month.

It came to light late last month that, Ghana did not have a reigning Miss Ghana because the winner of the 2013 edition of the pageant together with her first- and second runners-up had resigned.

Earlier last month, Exclusive Events Ghana, organizers of the pageant, relieved the reigning queen, Miss Giuseppina Nana Akua Baafi of her role as Miss Ghana 2013 Ambassador.

Inna Mariam Patty, CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana had disclosed to Myjoyonline.com that following that development, there were attempts to select a suitable person as Miss Ghana 2013 who will also represent the country at the Miss World pageant.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from 2013 contestants, 2012 contestants and total strangers [numbering] over a hundred. We are going to do an interesting interview and selection process, but we will make sure that whoever qualifies does understand the brand, has the experience and will do us proud,” at this year’s Miss World pageant.

She added that, if the organisers don’t get a suitable candidate by first week of August, it means that Ghana will not have a representative for the 2014 Miss World pageant.

The Razz Newspaper reported this week that organizers of the pageant have selected Miss Nadia Ntanu, the first runner-up for the Miss Ghana 2012 edition, to represent Ghana at the Miss World pageant scheduled for London, UK in December 2014.

The paper alleged that due to time constraints organisers have had an extensive discussion with Nadia, and she is said to have begun feverish preparations for the Miss World pageant.

But Inna Mariam Patty has refuted the story in an interview with Myjoyonline.com stating that organisers of the pageant are yet to settle on a suitable candidate, and they will announce the person as soon as that is done.

“As franchise holders, we will communicate when the committee concludes on who will represent Ghana,” she said.

ASAMOAH GYAN FOUNDATION ANGRY AT 'OPPORTUNISTS' OF CASTRO'S DISAPPEARANCE

Management of Black Stars captain Asamoah ‘Baby Jet’ Gyan's foundation has expressed disgust at how some opportunists are taking advantage and cashing-in on Hiplife Musician Castro’s disappearance and all the mystery surrounding it.

These illicit activities both on the streets and social media have caught the attention of Asamoah Gyan's Foundation who has released a statement on behalf of Asamoah Gyan and family of Castro.

Read the statement below:

The Management and Foundation of Asamoah Gyan have detected with much regret the use of the Ghana striker and his missing friend Castro for commercial purposes without authority.

Several books and pamphlets are being insensitively being sold of the supposed death of Castro who till date remains missing. Some unscrupulous individuals have also waged several social media campaigns in the name of Asamoah Gyan to con people into contributing funds for the family of the hip life star.

These insensitive moves by these unknown individuals have incurred the wrath of the families of Asamoah Gyan and Castro. Moves are, therefore, being initiated to mitigate and stop these insensitive acts.

“It is sickening to see all these publications, posters and other souvenirs being sold on the streets,” Chief Executive Officer of the Asamoah Gyan Foundation Samuel Anim Addo disclosed.

“They are highly insensitive and must be stopped immediately. We have reported the issue to our lawyers to take immediate action against these acts.

“We have also written to the social networking sites where these corrupt campaigns to raise money are being waged to pull them down and report the individuals for prosecution.

We remain steadfast in our search for Castro but in doing that we urge the public to refrain from any attempt to cash in on the situation.”

SONNIE BADU TO GET MARRIED ON AUGUST 23

Award-winning Ghanaian gospel musician Sonnie Badu is busily finalizing arrangements to get married to the love of his life.

Close friends and family sources have confirmed the news to Citifmonline. The ceremony, which would be officiated by Rev. Dr. Victor Osei of Family Chapel in Kumasi and Pastor Kingsley Appiagyei of the Trinity Baptist Church, is scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom on August 23.

Even though Sonnie has personally not announced it publicly, close friends and family sources say he’s excited about the marriage and sees it as an overwhelming blessing.

Sonnie Badu is a multiple award-winning Gospel singer, songwriter, philanthropist, producer, TV presenter and author. He is arguably the most successful gospel export to emerge out of Africa in recent years.

His unique blend of intimate worship, high-class visuals, and his energetic style of ushering congregations into the presence of God is affecting lives worldwide.

Sonnie leaves his audiences mesmerized both emotionally and spiritually.

HIPLIFE ARTISTE EDUWOJI OF ‘YENKO NKOA’ FAME ARRESTED

Ghanaian Hiplife artiste Eduwoji has been arrested by the Ada Police on the Accra-Aflao highway yesterday 7th August 2014 for illegally possessing a substance suspected to be marijuana.

The Yenko Nkoa Hit maker who was in a group of other three young men were said to be on their way to ‘Mepe’ in the Volta region to perform at the annual Asafotu festival.

According to sources, other artistes including Stay Jay, Gallaxy and Tema based music promoter Mc Coaches were also spotted being searched few hours prior to Eduwoji’s arrival at the check point where the police were doing a random search.

In accordance with the police regulation, the musician and his entourage have been moved to Ada police station to assist in police investigation.

I AM 80% FIT, THANKS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS - KUNTA KINTE SHARES "STROKE" STORY

They hit the limelight when they released One Gallon in 2005. The two brothers, Bradez then inched their way further into the hearts of music lovers when they followed it with Simple in 2009.

However, before Simple could hit the market, one-half of the Bradez duo, Kunta Kinte, suffered a stroke at the age of 21 years and found himself bedridden.

Telling his story, Kunta told Showbiz in a telephone interview from his residence in Kumasi: “it was a Monday, and I was in school."

Kunta was then a Level 200 student at the School of Performing Arts, Legon. “I remember I had recorded my verse on Simple and five days after that I began feeling very feverish.

“I thought it was malaria, so I went to the Legon Hospital. However, after leaving the hospital, I felt like I was sinking. I was falling. It is difficult to explain, but I realised something was happening to me.

“I woke up later to find myself in one of the beds at the Legon Hospital. I was told I lost consciousness, and I was in a coma for a day or so. I was later referred to Korle-Bu after spending five days at the Legon Hospital," he said.

According to Kunta, 26, when he came from his unconsciousness, he realised something was not right with him. “I couldn’t talk; I couldn’t move my right hand and right leg. In fact, the right side of my body, was paralysed.

There was no strength whatsoever in that part of my body. I later found out that I had suffered a stroke” he said.

Touching on how he felt when he discovered he was ‘bedridden’, Kunta said “I was devastated at first, but I knew I had to fight to overcome it. I am a very energetic person who loves to sing, dance and there is no way I wanted to be confined to bed for the rest of my life.

“When it happened, I virtually had to be helped in everything I did. My mother and brothers had to support me because I could not do anything on my own and I am grateful to them and God for how far he has brought me.

“Initially, I thought it wouldn’t take long to get well but I have realised it is not so. I admit it bothers me that it has taken this long. It’s been five years now, but I am very grateful to God.

“To think that before I couldn’t do anything on my own and now I have regained 80 percent of my strength is magnificent. I can talk, sing, and since last year, even drive myself to do my physiotherapy. The feeling is just great.

“There are people who have suffered stroke and couldn’t regain their strength. Some have even lost their lives, so I am very happy to be alive and to get stronger each day. I can even cook for you” he added with glee.

Asked what he could cook, Kunta amidst laughter said “ I can cook Indomie and rice. It has not been easy, but I am about 80 percent well now. I am working hard to add the other 20 percent to be fully recovered and that I know will be soon. I am very grateful to be alive” he added.

Touching on his music career, Kunta said “I don’t want to come back on the music scene half-baked. I want to come back with a bang. So I am taking my Physio very seriously so I can join my brother and together with him, Bradez will be bigger and better than before.

Kunta is very grateful to God, his mother, brothers, family, Samini and a host of others who have been very supportive of him.

“I am thankful to everyone who has been there for me. I will plead with my fans to be patient with me and wait for Kunta because I will be back” he added.

I AM NOT OFF BAM RECORDS - JOEY B

'Tonga' hitmaker, Joey B has responded negatively to the beaming question asked over the weekend published on Georgebritton.com whether he had left D-black’s record label, BAM. He indicated that he had not left the label yet, and he is not leaving anytime soon.

Black Avenue Muzik, the record label which nurtured him to win the discovery of the year award at this year’s Ghana Music Awards.

This was a result of a study made by the writer for many days. According to the report ‘Joey B has been seen alone and sometimes with a few friends out of the circle of BlackAvenue Music at some events including EL’s B.A.R concert and also at VVIP’s SallaFest show which marked the end of the Islamic fasting and praying season, Ramadan.

While, D-Black together with his team have been moving around without his signed artiste, Joey B that is quite surprising as the two had always been seen together at almost all events.’

Likewise the fans of the ‘TONGA’ hitmaker, who has taken up the responsibility as well to refute the question put forwards their lovely artiste, Joey B with the answer being ‘FALSE’.

But in this industry, there are some instances you do not need anyone to tell you before you realise that this is going. One has to do his permutation and get to know that this is what is happening, and the probability that your guess is right will be higher.

OFORI AMPONSAH: I’M NOT MUSICALLY DEAD

Although his maiden gospel album did not do well on the market as he had expected, highlife musician-turned-pastor, Ofori Amponsah, says nothing will make him go back to secular music.

“I receive calls regularly from friends and fans who keep asking me to go back to highlife music since I am not doing well in the gospel scene.

Whenever I hear such comments, I brush them off because I know what I want to achieve with my gospel music” he told Showbiz in an interview on Tuesday.

According to Ofori Amponsah, although his earlier songs were mostly decent love songs, still, there is no way he would go back to secular music as his admirers suggest.

“What people forget is that I am a born-again person, and my new rules do not permit me to do secular music. Yes, many people wish I did secular music but I am sorry that cannot happen” he said.

To prove to his fans and friends that he was not “dead” on the music scene as many people believe, Ofori Amponsah said he would turn things around with his latest song Wose Kwame Ate Ahwe, which will be released next week.

“I hear people say all the time that I am no more useful on the music scene, but I think it is about time I proved all those doubting Thomases wrong, I’m confident that my song will be a hit because I have put in so much.”

Currently, Ofori Amponsah has a music school which together with his team teach new musicians how to compose and write their songs.