Doctor Carl: A Presenter With Promise

Apart from family relations and friends, Carl Kenneth Ofori wouldn’t ring a bell, rather Dr. Carl, a name common to many listeners of Radio Universe.

His family valued education and little Carl always found himself in the classroom though usually against his desire. That was his mother’s only means of keeping him away from the streets and a suburb that could boast of copious social vices. Spending much time with his elder brother, he was introduced to hip hop music which he later fell in love with.

While at Dansoman based Wesley Grammar High School, he realised his potentials as a master of ceremony. The Black James Bond rallied his peers for rap competitions and later started hosting entertainment shows leading into a strong passion for radio.

“I finally got into radio in 2003 after months of attachment at Unique Fm where I learnt the rudiments of radio. Then a freshman at the University of Ghana, I was offered a spot at Radio Universe and under the tutelage of now Joy Fm front liner, Dzifa Bampoe and Sitso. I started as a member of the production team for a music show then Dzifa’s morning show”.

Handed the Space Jam, the ‘green’ Carl was placed on the spotlight which eventually brought him his shine. He stood his grounds to introduce an alternative procedure to transform the show. Then perceived as controversial, it finally paid off with immense success as his show attracted a huge listenership.

In 2008 the BA Political Science graduate launched the Ghetto Skola Cloth line to exhibit his entrepreneurial abilities. Unlike promoting Ghanaian music as he does on radio, he wanted to do more for himself.

“I became a scholar right from the ghettos and I want to serve as an example to others. I believe everyone posses the power to become whoever he desires, if they are ready to confront their challenges and frustrations”.

His latest add-on is the Grandaddy Multimedia, a marketing communication company which he hopes to become a giant in less than a decade. Grandaddy Multimedia is the power behind Radio Universe’s current online project.

Catch him every Thursday night and Saturday midday on Radio Universe or www.radiounivers.listen2myradio.com

A Designer Extraordinaire, Brigitte Merki

At the launch of her BM Label a few weeks ago at the Accra Polo Club, she got patrons astounded with her level of inventiveness. An ideal blend of enchanting colours and a rather unanticipated choice of fabrics, her collection eventually becomes the perfect and only option for the ever-daring woman of today’s competitive world.It remained a spectacle when models took to the runway to showcase her collection which ranged from glamorous flowing bridal gowns to other classy evening wears. Brigitte Merki-Ibrahim isn’t a regular designer rather a perfectionist obsessed with getting things done appropriately exclusive as vindicated by her designs.

A loving wife and a mother of three, it isn’t difficult to trace the source of Brigitte’s special ingenuity. Her mum was a famous Ghanaian designer in her prime and her dad a Swiss expatriate who appreciated arts and continually invested his fortune into paintings, crafts, furniture and traditional musical elements.

Born in the nation’s capital, she had her basic education at the R.M.S Swiss School before moving to the land of her ancestors for high school. While at Staefa Dorfschule, she had an apprenticeship in Salesmanship as required by the in Swiss curriculum. She moved to Zurich to continue with an apprenticeship in Business Management.

With Ghana serving as her first home, she returned to be with her family as she prepared for further studies. After securing admission in an institution and traveling to the United States to commence her studies, the inevitable had occurred forcing Brigitte to abandon that dream.

She had taken seed and so had to stay and start a family with her husband, Jamil Ibrahim, a real estate developer and member of the national polo team. After the birth of her first baby, she enrolled at the University of Ghana where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.

By then she had started creating her designs, aside those she assisted her mum to work on. Brigitte signed up for a course at the Vogue Style School of Fashion and Design to harness her talent and obtain the requisite rudiments of her chosen trade on the advice of her mum. On the back of her passion and dedication, she was crowned most outstanding student and another award for creativity at her graduating ceremony.

While heavily pregnant with her last baby months after Fashion school, she entered into the Redds African Fashion competition in 2008. With an award winning design that scored her the needed graduating marks, Brigitte appeared the strongest contender for the ultimate. All things

being unequal and on an equal playing field, she was adjudged the runner up for the R.A.F.D.A 08.

Inspired by the elements of nature (fire, wind, water), the BM collection speaks to all women who prefer to step out dazzling, alluring, elegant and conspicuously beautiful. Brigitte Merki’s clothes are tailored to individual measurements and a person’s body type, age and skin tone informs the style. According to the creative brain who emphases on the finishing of her works, her MB label has come to stay!

THE PERSONALITY BEHIND THE FACE, KSM

Kwaku Sintim-Misa id filled with humour, wit, charisma and remains the undisputed king of satire in GH. He is a jack of all trade and interestingly a master of all- an actor, presenter, writer, producer and director, all of which he is an acknowledged giant. Exposing the phenomenon of satire, he has given a refreshing meaning to comedy in Ghana. He fuses a higher intellectual acumen and immense hilarious antics. Being an epitome of versatility, he’s standards remains higher.

He was born in the garden city (Kumasi) amidst the usually imposing euphoria just before the yuletide on December 5, 1956 to the late Rt. Rev. Godfried Kwadwo Sintim-Misa, a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Mrs Mary Oforiwaa Sintim-Misa. Young Kwaku grew up surrounded by Christian literature and other religious materials leaving him with nothing short of Christian values at a tender age.

Kwaku had his primary education at the UST Primary School before obtaining admission into the Presbyterian Boys' Secondary, Legon, for his secondary education. He left after the first year of his study to Kumasi, joining Prempeh College where he completed his secondary education and sixth form later in 1977. Thereafter, he enrolled at the National Film and Television Institute.

As fate will have it, he left for the United States after a year of NAFTI, where he studied for a degree in Theatre Arts and Communication at the Trinity College in Hartford majoring in acting and directing. Adding value to himself, he pursued a Masters of Fine Arts degree in film production at the New York University in 1986. He later worked with several film companies where he learnt the rudiments and also put to test what he had learnt from the lecture rooms.

After his return to Ghana in January 1996, KSM as referred to by his adoring fans and the general public alike became one of the top entertainers and media personalities in Ghana. At Vibe Fm, he carved a niche for himself using his oratory skills plus a unique style of presentation. His command over the queen’s language is excellent. His performances at the National Theatre aren’t only highly rated but generally sold-out concerts.

The prolific and gifted writer cum producer has over the years captivated audience with his one-man plays in Ghana and beyond. To describe his showing as fantastic is surely an understatement. His ever increasing audience is of diverse backgrounds- from politicians, technocrats to other professionals. The former president, Jerry John Rawlings and spouse have always been a regular on the front row though usually being at the receiving end of Kwaku’s satiric routines and humour.

The uniqueness of his performances lies in his ability to get people thrilled all night as they laugh at themselves and scream for more. On his last production Afia Siriboe which he assumed the role of the four-time divorcee with a passion for provocative dressing, KSM exhibited his qualities with ease vindicating himself as the best stand-up comedian around.
He is happily married to Mavis Ampah, a Senior ICT Policy Analyst at the World Bank office in Accra who he has four children with. Nana Yaa, Nana Kwasi, Yaw and Nana Ama are wonderful children as KSM, a self confessed family oriented man describes them. He claims to be very close to his wife and usually plays basket ball aside riding bike with his children. If not writing, he is sure to be reading or watching a movie.

The amusing host who brings excitement to several homes, cushioning them into the weekend is the Chief Executive of Sapphire Ghana Ltd., a radio and television content development company. His television production credits include the highly acclaimed Build Your Ark, Divorce Court (both on GTV) and TGIF (Thank God it’s Friday), a joint production with Metro TV. The Saga of the Returnee, Politically Incorrect and Pure Madness with messages ranging from domestic violence to religion and the racial divide also comes from his stables.

He is full of praises for his wife who double as his and best friend as he touched on his series of performances. “My wife is a fantastic person with a sense of humour. On Afia Siriboe, i consulted her to find out how women react to certain situations. From my findings I came out with the entire concept. I did discuss some aspects of the scripts with her to make sure its perfect. I usually take about three months to come out with a script after going through the first, second and third writings. After this begin to memorize and rehearse”.

KSM anchors “That’s My Opinion” and “Connecting with God” both aired on Accra based Choice Fm every Tuesday from 10 am to midday and Sunday morning respectively. He admits the Christian programme is a platform to revive Christ in lost souls and also reach out to others. As no major concert looks likely any time soon, don’t miss a date with him every Friday night on TV for a rib cracking experience!

In The Couch With Lawrencia - From newsroom, artist management to events, what next?

Lawrencia Thompson Duah is a household name and needs no introduction to any enthusiast of Ghanaian showbiz expect for those who only touched base just last night. Lawrencia has come a long way, successfully carving a niche for herself in an industry purported to be unfriendly to women. Winning for herself a general’s strip, she is an authority when it comes to the area of show business.

Naa as her buddies prefer to call her hasn’t always been that famous until the latter part of the year 2003 after a planned relocation to Ghana. In her element and with people she feels comfy, expect her to continually jest and nothing else. The ever-smiling pretty faced lady isn’t just full of witty jokes but deep as well. These she easily revealed as I engaged her in an interview.

To her growing up was quite intriguing under the watchful eyes of her grandmother, a disciplinarian and principled woman. “I was with my grandmother who made sure we did things right else you risk your vacation in Switzerland or London. It was her way of keeping us focused and on track. That was the beauty of life at that age as a regular family. It was a humble beginning for me and my siblings.”

From the Ridge Church School, she enrolled at the Ebenezer Secondary school and later moved to Accra High for her sixth form education. With her passion and curious nature, Lawrencia settled on journalism and gained admission into the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Cushioned by her exploits in athletics during secondary school, she graduated with a Diploma in Communications with her major in Sports Journalism.

According to Naa, her entry into showbiz was merely by chance- an opportunity that came along. She got her media career flying with Accra based news station, Joy FM. She moved to Kumasi to become the assistant news editor of LUV FM, an outfit of the Multimedia group. The chief objective was to build Luv fm into a formidable brand.

After two years of a successful stewardship which came with numerous challenges according to Naa, she shifted base to Portugal where she pursued other interests. Also at the time, she studied for a Diploma in Interior Décor from ICS and broadened her horizon with courses in Public Relations.

On one of her trips to Ghana, she received an invitation to the second edition of JOY FM’s Night with The Stars event. That reignited her interest in local music, serving as a major influence for her entry into showbiz. An unusual performer, Terry Bonchaka, stole the night, giving Naa a reason to consider the Hiplife movement and its prospects.

“By 2004, I had finally settled in Ghana and planned a few projects to embark on. I heard works of Samini and I was convinced he had talent. He became the first artist I worked with. I was concerned about branding my artist to become marketable. We worked on his identity and his name went from Batman to Samini.

The next thing was to give him an image. He was to reflect an icon with that sexy flavour and that was what we achieved. There was someone who took care of his hair every time and clothing deals arranged. Working as his publicist was easier with his quest for success and understanding of the basics of the trade. He was ready to listen to me.”

What excites Lawrencia most about the Samini’s project was her ability to impact on his career and eventually his life. Aside laying the foundation for him becoming an MTN icon, she worked tirelessly to ensure her artist won the ultimate after being nominated for a MOBO award in 2006. She describes Samini as a great talent and a creative mind to work with.

She was everywhere and commanded a following. She was a regular on copious television shows and discussions on radio. Appearing week after week on then effervescent entertainment show on TV3, called Spotlight, her submissions were very discerning. Also as a guest judge on the Mentor show, her comments remained insightful and critical.

Soon, Lawrencia moved into the world of events usually on the forefront of promotions. Aside the local concerts, Lawrencia has worked on other gigs hosting international superstars including Wyclef, Eve, Omarion, Fat Joe and arguably American finest rapper Jay Z.

“Working on these projects weren’t difficult but rather challenging. Handling protocol and hospitality, I was to get them from the airport, their schedules, movement and food were also inclusive. I remember Eve requested to be in a space filled with scented candles before going on stage for Zain’s 026 Experience at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium and nothing else. That was her way of psyching up for her performance.”

Currently the host of a cookery programme on TV3, the bubbly presenter appears to have more under her sleeve. She promises to roll a reality show the first quarter of 2011 to precede the series of projects planned for the year. Lawrencia is confident her wholly structured production will get Ghanaians captivated and also present us with stars of the next generation.

One thing is certain, re-invention is Lawrencia’s middle name.