“CHANGES” BRINGS MISS JANE HER SHINE

“There are times when people walk into your life not to stay but rather to bring the much expected shine then walk away. These are blessed angels who descend on us in the form of blood and flesh. Filled with goodness, they inspire our lives aside shaping our aspirations. They become the agent of Change in our lives, the best thing that can ever happen to someone”. That formed the theme of her song which was the night’s favorite and her personal best.
Though appearing to have lost considerable amount of weight, the young singer looked very elegant in her well fitted yellow dress. The hair style wasn’t any of her accustomed “fanatical” ones, an indication of a new chapter in her life. Afia has eventually come to replace Miss Jane, a name that won her several hearts as a contestant in the famed Stars of the Future reality show. Her performance on the night can better be described as marvelous.
The night was fairly young and the spot was getting packed. The venue appeared a perfect one, perfectly serving the night’s purpose. The double swimming pool served as a breather more especially with the night’s actions getting more brisk and haphazard. Both ends of the pool quarter had heavily stocked liquor bars which were complimented by readily spiced meat which lasted all night. Glamour and style was the trademark of all heads that showed up.
That was how the atmosphere at the African Regent Hotel looked last Friday night when Canoe launched their Greatest of all time edition. The numbers on the night was quite huge, including Accra’s self-styled celebrities, pressmen and ordinary party raves. Copies of the GOAT edition could be seen on display as a group of pretty models moved them to every space.
With a welcoming speech from MC for the night, British based Ama K Abebrese, the program got underway. Citi Fm’s DJ Armani was behind the turntable making sure the attendees remained on their feet all night long. His playlist was quite versatile with recent Nigerian classics in dominance. Armani perfectly worked the crowd with the dance floor getting sweaty.
A member of the creative team of the magazine was invited onto the stage. Looking very bubbly, he welcomed all attendees to the event in a very dramatic tone. He outlined the achievements of his outfit before highlighting on the goals of the Canoe. Assuring of more surprises to in future editions, he entreated the crowd to take to reading.
A fashion show preceded the night’s performance. Spotting magnificently designed cloths, the models took to the narrow asphalt space which served as the runway. In a perfectly rehearsed movement, they attracted much attention and unending applauds from the crowd.
The night’s climax arrived when Miss Jane stepped on stage for a great showing. Thanking Canoe for featuring her in the GOAT edition, she promised to consolidate her stay on the GH music scene. She was full of energy and creativity. Her second song titled “Changes” appeared to be the nights best. A typical crooner’s piece, it got the entire place quiet as Jane preached about relationships and love partners.
Hip Life kingpin, Reggie Rockstone who was also featured in the magazine moved onto the stage to support the song bird. He had his own rendition of changes which sounded just great. The Hip Life Papa went on to drop some bars from his large repertoire of classics. Looking all calm and composed he added much to the night with his persona. Till late into the night, it became a dancing/drinking affair.

VICAR TAKES DOWN CRUCIFIXION SCULPTURE “BECAUSE IT’S A SCARY DEPICTION OF SUFFERING”.

A vicar has removed a sculpture of the crucifixion from the front of his church because it was a 'horrifying depiction of pain and suffering' that was scaring off worshippers.
Rev Ewen Souter said the traditional Christian symbol was frightening children and that it would be replaced with a modern, stainless steel cross.
Some of the congregation have reacted angrily to the decision, saying it is another blow to Christian tradition.

One long-standing member of the church, who asked not to be named, said: 'The crucifix is the oldest and most famous symbol of the Christian church.
'Pulling it down and putting up something that would look more at home on the side of a flashy modern shopping centre is not the way to get more bums on seats.
'Next they'll be ripping out the pews and putting sofas in their place, or throwing out all the Bibles and replacing them with laptops. It's just not right.'
Rev Souter said today: 'The crucifix expressed suffering, torment, pain and anguish. It was a scary image, particularly for children.
'Parents didn't want to walk past it with their kids, because they found it so horrifying.
'It wasn't a suitable image for the outside of a church wanting to welcome worshippers. In fact, it was a real put-off.
'We're all about hope, encouragement and the joy of the Christian faith. We want to communicate good news, not bad news, so we need a more uplifting and inspiring symbol than execution on a cross.'
The sculpture by Edward Bainbridge Copnall MBE, a former president of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, was installed onto St John's Church in Horsham, West Sussex, in the Sixties.
It has now been removed and delivered to nearby Horsham Museum, where it will be displayed in its full glory.
Rev Souter, who has been vicar at St John's since 2001, believes the modern new cross - designed by artist Angela Godfrey - will present 'a positive message of hope' on the side of his church.
A spokesman at Horsham Museum said: 'Thanks to the generosity of St John's, we have been given the remarkable sculpture of Jesus on the Cross by Edward Bainbridge Copnall.
'The museum was keen to have the figure because it is a stunning example of Edward's ability and skill as a sculptor.'

SANDI TAKES DIVA DELICIOUS TO STUDIO 53

What started as a hobby from her mid teens is gradually becoming a viable venture worth millions of Ghanaian Cedis, a currency presently unfortunately tricky to come by. Aside becoming a million richer with an enviably fat bank account, she unconsciously puts food on the table for quite a number of families. With over hundred of ideas yet to be implemented, she plans on erecting an empire with her creativity. That was how I perceived this lady when I engaged her in a genial chat. She runs me through her life at this corner pub and restaurant next to the famous RE lane in the cosmopolitan Osu, where she described as her favorite hang out.

Sandi Owusu was dressed in a local print which perfectly revealed her size eight frame. A relatively big “virgin” pink hand bag will make her outfit complete. Sandi is the latest revelation in a fairly unpopular local industry, grabbing enormous attention that surpasses the very designers who inspired her curiosity at a younger age. The 23 year old Sandi is the youngest in her line of trade but boasts of bracing designs admired by people of all ages. She is wholly artistic and can best be referred to as a “creative brain”. With a wide range of creative products, her chic lady bags are in the majority. Her products are attractively woven and characterized by a perfect blend of alluring colours, accounting for her peculiarity among the host of other imaginative designers.

Sandi’s popularity goes beyond the shores of her place of birth just like her career triumph, now twice bigger then her rather minuscule body. Vigorously strengthening her brand, Sandi is taking her Diva Delicious to several platforms and the latest social network craze, facebook is no exception. Just a few weeks ago, she dazzled the entire continent with her unending sequence of inventiveness when hosted by arguably the continents most viewed television show. Anita and the studio 53 crew handed her a surprise visit after her enchanting products had caught the attention of the production team.

She goes ahead to introduce her Diva Delicious line which she claimed represented her identity and her lifetime dream. On the show, the model cum vibrant bag maker presents her world of creativity. The bags were of diverse shapes as well as designs. With her collections made of the finest Ghanaian straw material, her great sense of patriotism is revealed. Several of her hand bags come with colourfully arranged authentic glass beads and handles which give them that irresistible appeal. Sandi currently taps from the accessory market to make sure her target market is not limited.

Diva Delicious on studio 53 included images from the “weaving zone” where her creativity is initiated and implemented. Her finest local weavers looked vigilant but comfortable on the job. They exhibited the craftsmanship involved in producing the bags and other products. Fresh mother and interviewer Anita Erskine couldn’t hide her delight as she continually admired and handled the moderately priced bags and accessories. This is not strange at all, as her favorite viewers can judge by her ideal sense of fashion exhibited anytime she takes to the stage.
About the genesis of what is currently referred to as the “creative empire”, Sandi recollects the first bag she made and the responses that followed. “It was just a great moment and feeling for me then. I was quite younger and that was the least a lot of people expected from me. The initial one was for my personal use. My family liked it and some requested I did a similar thing for them. This was followed by some pals who continually requested for them. It was then that I realized I could go commercial with it. I did a bit of research and upon realizing how rewarding my effort would be, I went commercial with it”.

Sandi attributes her motivation to her Maker and appreciates the talent she has been blessed with. She acknowledges the importance of her family and friends who kept faith with her during her rough times. She further emphasizes her quest to depart from conventional methods of doing things as one of her open secrets. “Its feels good to hear someone say a great thing about your works but I have always challenged myself to do something new just to be unique. That has kept me going all this while as well as sustaining the interest in what I am doing.”

The final year student of the University of Ghana is set to wow the creative world with her tall list of unimplemented ideas. Though her products are scattered throughout the nation, she hopes to stock them in the most famous fashion joints from Johannesburg through Monaco to New York in the next five years. Check out Sandi’s Diva Delicious line of products the next time you walk into any fashion join. I assure you they are irresistible. Cheers!

BACK FROM BAHAMAS, JENNIFER TAKES HER READING CAMPAIGN TO THE CLASSROOM

It’s a perfect day devoid of the usual smoldering sun, but unlike many of my working mates, I am fervently incapable of screaming “Thank God It’s Friday!” my usually copious weekend scheduled interviews are about to begin. With my rather unusual executive outfit not matching my persona I found myself in the multi purpose Alisa Hotel. Here I was, sitting in a vitally positioned couch just by the bar and next to the reception desk. The Southern Wing looked quite empty aside the uniformed staff and the handful of clients having their brunch. Seated opposite me was a young lady whose beauty had continually created a “buzz” in my mind as we steadily stared at each other.
Though meeting her several occasions during my uni, never had her looks enthralled me until that day. She looked rather simple in a white tang top over a brown high waist skirt, a ideal colours blend that perfectly matched her relatively lighter skin. Her adorable physique brought memories of a famous book by super model Tyra Banks. In “Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out”, the once $30,000 per fashion show model dished out beauty tips as well as ways of maintaining an adorable stature. Jennifer Victoria Koranteng is this splendor and a perfect replica of the ideal lady Tyra described in her book.
Jennifer. a 23 year old Theatre Arts and Psychology graduate of the nation’s premier University on June 28 this year battled her way to be crowned Miss Universe Ghana. Not even the taut completion from Daphne and Suzana was enough to sway Jennifer from the ultimate, unlike in the Miss Ghana competition where she placed first runner up seasons back. After the exciting four categories of grueling task performance on the night, she involuntarily became GHs rep to the world competition in the tranquil ex British colony of Bahamas, which was held some few weeks ago.
My most exciting moment being a Ghanaian was the mid of August when the Miss World 2009 season kick started. My media friends then stationed in the Caribbean Islands continually flooded my facebook page with pictures of GH’s pride and others closely followed me with minute updates on my twitter page. These notices wouldn’t grad my attention until August 20, when Hollie Clemence, a British journalist pasted “Ms Jennifer Victoria Koranteng, Ghana’s representative at this year’s Miss Universe competition emerges a front runner” on my wall. After hastily going through my inbox, I became aware of Jennifer’s exploit in the competition.
Though not in the top fifteen, Ms Koranteng make a good showing in the Miss River Race as well as hitting the competitions most cherished Leader Board virtue her exceptional presentational skills and her added physical fitness. This formed the subject of our discussion when we met that Friday. William Bedzrah, a member of her management team would occasionally interrupt unleashing his untamed sense of humour on us. Looking very invigorated and bubbly, Jennifer would follow up with a chic joke which made the conversation more fascinating.

“I loved the Miss Race completion and it was absolute fun. I was very much interested in it and that could have resulted in my good showing in that completion. It was not easy anyway, getting into a completion with over eighty ladies on that high level. But I was very happy about it and it did bring out a thing in me. How better can it be described than fun, excitement, entertainment, or a great sport, lets say”. These were the beauty queen’s words relating to her performance in the Miss River Race segment of the completion.

According to Jennifer, she was convinced of a good showing and didn’t see herself as an add-up to the numbers. “I had this in mind but knew it was not going to be very easy. I was prepared to bring a change and sell the nation to the world. I knew what I was about and had the confidence it could be achieved the very moment I entered the place. I was noticed by the other ladies who had arrived before me. This even preceded the major events where I caught the attention of designers from several parts of the world”.

Ghana couldn’t make it to the final round but was perfectly sold leaving no doubts on the minds of the competition connoisseurs, who rooted Jennifer for the Leader Board achievement. Jennifer has her reservations and disagrees with the notion that pageants are just about nudity and wrongful exposures. “I think showing flesh in pageants is a way of showing once fitness and telling others to stay healthy. It is not wrong like certain people make it look because they don’t like it. It’s just about healthy lifestyle”.

Jennifer is about to begin her project which will target children in deprive communities. Her Reading Program will inculcate into children the habit of persistent reading. Her campaign will also include book donation as well as classroom work which she is passionate about. Jennifer says she is looking forward to building a career and being an advocate for abused women and destitute children.

OKOMFO KWADEE RETURNS WITH “MEA ME NIE”!!

After several years in the wilderness characterized by disingenuous speculations, one of Hip life’s kingpins over the weekend proved to his critics he remains a force to recon with. The much anticipated weekend concert attracted the desired numbers much to the admiration of the concert organizers. Aptly dubbed “Mea Me Nie”, it plainly highlighted the comeback of the “indigenous” musician.
Okomfo Kwadee is one celebrated GH artist with a chain of commercially successful albums. His series of hit tracks has over the years strengthened his brand and also cemented his strip as a general. Aside the concert announcing his return to the forefront of the GH musical genre, it harbingers his up coming album, an eight track album speculated to follow in similar triumphs like his previous albums.
Strategically, the concert’s supporting artists were kept as a secret giving the gig an enormous publicity. Kwadee’s very dramatic attitudes during interviews sparkled speculations of his mental soundness, a right recipe for the concert. The concert took off with a number of underground cats giving good account of themselves. One after the other, they fervently exhibiting their immaturity thought it didn’t prevent several people from applauding.
Mc for the night, established presenter Kofi Okyere Darko (K.O.D) had a great showing but was reduced to just brief speeches. The atmosphere inside the national theartre went electrifying when K.O.D in a thespian fashion announced the night’s celebrant with a horde of accolades. That was the show’s climax preceding a series of spectacular performances from the very best currently on the GH music scene.
The concert witnessed a record number of supporting artist on a single night’s gig. MAMA nominee and MTN ambassador, Samini who had come under public scrutiny for poor in recently had many people having a second thought of their judgment. He did put up a splendid performance receiving huge love from the audience. Okyeame Kwame, Obuor and the king of the street, Kwaw Kesse followed with excellent showing of showmanship.
A perfect blend of extreme emotional expressions coupled with exciting applauds best describes the reception Okomfo Kwadee received when he appeared on stage. The over three hours waiting for the ace act had soon become history. With no traces of rustiness, Kwadee relived his past glory with his classic. Song after song, he got the crown singing along until they totally make the songs theirs. This served as a teaser for his new album as he ended with a performance of the album’s title song, “Mea Me Nie”.

Ayigbe Edem, Asaase Aban, Pope Skinny, Madfish, Vyroz C-zar, Iwan and Ahenkwa the Calibious included the other GH artists who kept the crowd on their all night before Naija singer; Chinedu Okoli placed the icing on the cake. Chinedu also known as Flavour Nabania made sure the crowd had a real feel of his banging hit song “Ashawo”, which is currently enjoying gigantic rotations on GH radio.