Is Ghana now a dumping ground for CFC?

Nana Osei is a non conformist filled with a lofty zeal to continually put food on the table for himself and his extended family. Usually referred to as Osei Germany by his associates and other pals, he traces his roots to a family along the hills of Kwahu- a tribe known for their rather swift business strategies. After sojourning for over a decade in the former Nazi governed Germany, Osei now owns a shop in Osu, along the beach road. His stock is diverse but chiefly, used (second hand) goods.

A bus ride with Osei Germany from the harbour city, Tema, to the central business district brought out a fairly astounding experience. The one-hour trip was relatively smooth though it was impossible to get myself glued to my seat as I could not resist viewing the sight outside the van. Before arriving in the city centre of Accra, I had counted not less than fifty outlets (superstores and make-shift shops alike) openly displaying used wares for sale.

Coincidentally, all these shops had patrons who were either checking out certain items or moving them into their cars. My utmost shock was how all these shops paraded chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerators. Knowing perfectly the dangers of this Freon to the environment, I pinched myself so hard to believe importers/dealers of such wares were ignorant of the long standing ban on such wares in several parts of the world. Is this your first time hearing CFC?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a family of chemical compounds developed back in the 1930's as safe, non-toxic, non-flammable alternative to dangerous substances like ammonia for purposes of refrigeration and spray can propellants. Their usage grew enormously over the years and it became acknowledged the chlorine has the potential to destroy large amounts of ozone. This was vindicated after careful observation, especially over Antarctica after levels of genetically harmful ultraviolet radiation have increased.

Seeking for the impetus and rationale for such operations, I went window shopping at Osei Germany’s store for first hand information. His wares included television sets, ghetto blasters and microwaves aside refrigerators. I found out that Osei was aware of the dangers his refrigerators pose not only to the ozone layer but to the health of millions of people. Obviously blinded by profit margins, Osei imports such items deliberately ignoring the health hazards.

The aggressive looking Ghanaian businessman revealed there is a relatively larger demand for used items. This he attributes to affordable prices.
“These appliances will finish in no time because they are cheap and everyone can buy one. The new ones in boxes are for the rich people in society. Whenever I have new things, there is a massive rush for them. The fridges and televisions move faster than the radios and others” were his words.

Jemima is a young lady in her mid twenties and apparently a regular patron of Osei. That was her third visit to the shop in the month. She had come to buy a Greenwood branded microwave. According to Jemima, all electrical gadgets in her house were purchased from Osei.
“This place has the best things from television, fridges and radio tapes. Then he was also selling blenders, furniture among others. We don’t have any problems with the things I bought from here”.

Another gentleman who prefers used (second hand) appliances is forty-year old Daniel Ekow. According to Dan, used goods usually last twice the lifespan of new ones particularly with television sets. “My younger brother is a television repairer who explained to me new appliances are not good. Also their parts are not in abundance so it is very difficult to repair when it breaks down”.

Just like Jemima, Dan is ignorant of CFC gases and the dangers they pose to the world at large. There is currently an increase in the influx of such banned goods around the world into Ghana. Can’t we have any legislation to stop this? It appears Ghana is eventually becoming a dumping ground with persons like Osei Germany who have expressed no willingness to stop such operations. Moreover, there are over one thousands of people ready and able to patronize “second hand” goods.

SARKODIE’S KONVICT CONTRACT FAKE?

Call it the talk of town or the craze of the week and you won’t be far from the perfect truth. Receiving enormous spins and rotations from the electronic to the print media, it ranked as the priority on the content list of several entertainment shows including discussions. As some Industry gurus dissected the issue highlighting its recompenses, the music fans weren’t left out as they expressed their expectations. Thinking that will bring an end to months of rumored tales is a total fallacy, rather a new dimension to the entire speculations has surfaced.

The entire buildup was orchestrated at Reggie’s Office the previous Saturday when a group supposed to be representing Konvict Musik touched base. Hosted by the grandpapa and prominent promoter of Hiplife, they were involved in an historic event asserted to be the best thing to have happened to the GH music nation in recent times. Though on a low note, it was the official endorsement ceremony of GH’s currently most sorted after artiste, Sarkordie.

It was a successful event attracting several major players in the music fraternity; from producers, artistes to music promoters. It became obvious several big shots left the event venue with unanswered questions lingering on in their minds in spite of the question opportunity segment. I personally wondered if fellow artiste with enormous international exposure, M3NSAH had satisfactory answers to his series of “penetrating questions”.

Could this be attributed to the “domineering” fashion that characterized the answers of the moderator and his reluctance to lay out details of the contract or his inability to clearly outline the strategies mapped to market the GH act.

Classified information available to JIVE and from credible sources suggest the endorsement ceremony was a gimmick and a calculated attempt aimed at exploiting the fastest GH rapper as well as playing on the intelligence of entire population of GH. From the impeccable sources, Sarkodie plus other African artistes soon to be unveiled will be used as models cum ambassadors to promote and market the Konvict Africa clothing project being championed by the team.

Furthermore, the GH emcee will not be joining the mainstream Konvict music where he will get to record alongside celebrated artistes including Akon amongst a host of others. The sources also revealed there is no stipulated distribution deal for the young Ghanaian artiste not to talk of a network to promote his works. In addition, Sarkodie might get to take his album to the world only and only if he is approved for a possible album “Sway tour”, a GH Hip Hop act that he collaborated with.

Not to take anything from the Konvict team, our source divulged the achievements and the pedigree of the leader, Babs. The businessman of GH descent is the Creative Director and President of Konvict and Aliaune Brands. With over fifteen years experience in the fashion industry, Babs remains a co-founder of FUBU and a pioneer of Phat Fashions, launching the Phat Farm and Baby Phat brands. His great success opened the doors for other American based fashion companies to enter the European scene.

In an interview with the Konvict rep in Ghana, he was not in shock but rather strived to set the records straight. Sounding very confident, Nii Laryea revealed he had anticipated such reactions amongst what he referred to as rumours. “It is rather unfortunate for people to reason like this but that is the issue and we have to deal with it. Sarkodie is now with Konvict so he would be wearing cloths of Konvict, which I don’t think is very wrong. This shouldn’t be wrongly interpreted by the people”.

In his response to Babs moderation and reluctance to reveal details of the contract, Nii denied the allegation suggesting the unavailability of a contract as he came to the defense of his boss. “Babs did not give out any details of the contracts and that doesn’t mean there is no contract.” All we were doing is respecting the confidentiality of the deal and it is for the artiste to reveal that if he so wished. We are respecting our contract as well as the privacy of the artiste. This explains Babs actions that day and it is very simple”.

According to Nii, Babs has his background deeply rooted into fashion and that shouldn’t be interpreted negatively in relations to music. “Truth is truth and I think its high time people try to get the facts in this issue. Babs is the president of all the Konvict brands, meaning he has hold of everything. It seems many people are refusing to accept and believe it, but the truth is the rapper is with us and Universal will be distributing his music”.

In a chat with a key member of the management team of Sakordie, he did emphatically deny the endorsement deal being a gimmick. According to Korsah, the event was real though he wouldn’t give conclusive grounds for his assertion. “There is much more to this deal than money and I think people should support the artistes rather than doubting it. This is a great time for GH music and we can’t afford to play such games. We are getting a lot from this deal and we are very excited!”.

Korsah was quick to add that his artiste will have his music distributed by Konlive, an affiliate of Konvict Musik. “Babs is having this Konvict Africa project to promote African artistes in the Americas and beyond. They come with other businesses including the distribution of the clothing line in Africa. They are in to help Africans than exploit them. My advice to other artistes and their management is not to focus only on money, it doesn’t make them grow in the industry”.

WISHFUL THINKERS CALLED THE PAPARAZZI’S OF ACCRA!!

It was Friday, but to several movie-goers who continually throng the nations leading movie joint, Silverbird, it’s an all new movie day. Speculated to possess the finest motion pictures yet to be witnessed in any GH movie, it attracted the crème de la crème from the entertainment industry. Effusively represented was the “Paparazzis” whom inadvertently I place on the spotlight in my article.

As news of demeaning acts by a couple of the nation’s highly admired characters appear to be engulfing the entire nation and beyond, the nation’s capital has emerged to be in a state of permanence. This is Accra, a cosmopolitan city filled with persons of diverse cultures as well as ideologies. Life isn’t relentlessly brisk, leaving city dwellers legroom to catch up on anything that matters to their survival.

I have always been upbeat about the phenomenon of celebrities principally due to my optimistic revolutionist nature. Being a celeb could be fun and enjoyable aside the fame and favors that accompany it. With a thousand and one eyes focused on your every movement, celebrity status occasionally becomes tricky and frustrating more especially when one looses his/her privacy and yet expected to manage the influential power that rolls in.

On the other hand, celebs should be perfectly equipped to represent a paradigm shift with their natural positions as role models and pacesetters. Get a celebrity to approve a concept and see how many figures will root for that without critically accessing the benefits of such initiatives. These circumstances perfectly highlight the necessary reasons why people tirelessly work towards becoming famed personalities; to receive enviable attention, boundless recognition and populous endorsement.

The above paragraphs represent my candid interpretation of a celebrity before getting my first shot at radio as a freshman in Uni. Several years of my active contribution to the trade with my pen persistently poignant across my pad, I have noticed unimagined facets of stardom but without shock. The city plays host to a group of Paparazzis dotted across the showbiz fraternity to other areas. These aren’t the scandal-seeking photographers known in journalism if I should be mistaken.

Truth be told, there are too many self styled celebrities parading the streets of Accra. From the media through entertainment corridors to the corporate world, these can be found all over. The media circle has witnessed far too many charlatans carrying themselves as journalists. With “sham” titles and their supposed media outlets which have remained only on paper, they hop from one spot to another in their selfish interest.

To tag such individuals as an embodiment of ignoramus will certainly be far from abhorrence. Not only do they bring the journalistic trade into disrepute, they dent the image of focused minds within the trade. The least said about other unabashed folks hidden under certain media umbrellas, the better! You wonder how people elect themselves as “gate keepers” of the industry in a jiggaman style and put out crappy articles. Tabloid journalism can’t be accepted and the earlier they are told off, the better for our puny industry.

Come to the pure entertainment field and you can’t afford to miss out on the new wave of “Jacket Fellas” of the nation’s capital. They include a wider syndicate of obsessed folks craving for stardom. From event to event, they would show up only to exhibit out-of-this-world mannerisms all calculated to win them attention and recognition. Their actions can only be equated to deceit and swindle.

Imagine this dude who fruitlessly tries to carve a niche for himself, always spotted in a jacket irrespective of the day nor the time. It is uncertain his career path but holds himself as an industry don. Though rumored to be borrowed cars, he has driven the finest of cars within the past few months. So one wonders why he will have to scheme such gimmicks just to grab attention. Such wishful thinkers parading themselves to be the icons of this era should be considered as victims of identity crisis.

To be continued…

“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.