In a statement released by the Ministry, Shatta Wale delivered the performance “pro bono in honour of the President and the Ghanaian people,” and took full responsibility for expenses related to dancers, costumes, rehearsals and stage production.

“True to his promise to deliver an experience that extended beyond football, the Minister engaged Shatta Wale, who not only agreed to perform pro bono but personally covered all costs related to his performance,” the Ministry stated.

Shatta Wale has since confirmed this in a social media post, writing: “Let’s bring the love of football back and Shaxi fully sponsored my performance.”

The announcement comes in the wake of widespread public praise for the record-breaking success of the 2025 President’s Cup, which filled the Accra Sports Stadium to capacity on Sunday, 6 July. The Sports Ministry described the event as a turning point in public confidence in domestic football.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, is being credited for overseeing the full turnaround. This marks the second major football event under his watch to draw a full house, following Ghana’s 5–0 win over Chad in March.

“This is a clear demonstration of his conviction that sports, when marketed strategically, can be self-sustaining,” the statement reads.

The Ministry attributed the success of the President’s Cup to a blend of strategic partnerships, targeted mobilisation, and entertainment integration, all achieved without spending a cedi of public funds.

To ensure sustainable financing, a fundraising committee chaired by Dr Tony Aubynn and Bola Ray was tasked with mobilising resources from both the public and private sectors. The Minister personally led the sponsorship efforts, sending out proposals and letters to potential partners.

The 2025 edition sharply contrasted with previous years, notably the 2023 tournament, which struggled to attract even 5,000 fans.

The Ministry said a comprehensive media campaign, a friendly regional rivalry sparked by the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regional Ministers, and the unification of supporters’ groups under one umbrella, all helped create the buzz that led to a packed stadium.

Supporting performances from Kwaku Smoke, Bogo Blay and Camidoh also added to the event’s appeal.

Beyond the showmanship, the Ministry noted that the Minister has taken steps to improve infrastructure and maintenance at the Accra Sports Stadium. A task force is now in place to manage the pitch, and critical renovations have been undertaken to meet CAF and FIFA standards. The stage for the musical performances was placed behind the goalposts to avoid damaging the playing surface.

The Ministry concluded that the success of the President’s Cup, coupled with the Black Stars’ earlier match against Chad, “demonstrates that with innovative thinking and stakeholder engagement, the narrative around Ghanaian sports can be transformed.”

The statement further indicates that Kofi Adams’ leadership of the 2025 President’s Cup is a clear signal that public confidence is returning and that Ghana’s sports sector has the capacity to thrive on its own merit.

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyEnt

Ghanaian artiste Akwaboah has said that he took a decision to stop writing music for others because of the persistent lack of credit from persons he wrote songs for.

Speaking on Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie on Saturday, 5th July 2025, Kalybos said several indicators suggested that the party was not going to win the election.

He cited the country’s voting pattern and internal challenges within the party as major reasons for the loss.

“With our democratic system here, it looks like every eight years, the people will bring in a new government. And it depends on how peeved people are during your last term. And we can all attest to it. This is no party bit. It was in shambles. It was in a mess, for a lot of things going bad. It was bound to happen, let me just put it that way, so they would sit down and think about all that has gone on. It got to a time they weren’t really for the people. That is where I think the problem came from. And now I think they are righting their wrongs and I think they will do better,” he said.

He added that although he remains a loyal member of the NPP, he believes the party failed to respond to the economic needs of the people during its last term.

“We all saw what the economic hardship was. I am a full party person but when it is A you need to say A. There was a problem. There was someone who would not listen,” he stated.

Kalybos, who is known for his roles in comic films and skits, publicly declared his support for the NPP in the lead-up to the 2020 general election.

He was part of a group of entertainers who campaigned for the party at the time, and continues to identify with the NPP despite their 2024 electoral loss.

According to him, he got attracted to the NPP because of their Free Senior High School Policy. He said it took away his burden of fending for a number of people in terms of their education.

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyEnt

This, he said, was after realising it was the only way to stay true to himself and his roots.

“Yeah, I actually started as a Twi rapper,” Tinny said. “I was doing more Twi and English than a bit of Ga, but I wasn’t a Ga rapper.”

Explaining why he initially chose Twi, Tinny pointed to its commercial advantages.

“Twi is the most spoken language in Ghana, so when you’re doing something in Twi, you perceive that the faster it will go. Consider merchandising and market-wise, I mean it goes fast. So I decided to do my thing in Twi.”

But that changed when he had a moment of reckoning with his identity.

“Later on, I realised that I’m not original. I have to be me and represent where I’m coming from. That’s why I went back to my pen and my paper and I wrote like Makola Kwakwe and other songs.”

When asked if someone influenced the decision to rap in Ga, Tinny was clear. “No one, I decided myself.”

There had been rumours that acclaimed producer Hammer encouraged the shift, but Tinny shut them down.

“No, this was way before meeting Hammer. I was a Ga rapper before meeting him.”

He recounted how their first encounter happened through another artist.

“I remember I met Hammer through Doggo. When Doggo was going to record his album, Hammer was looking for a Ga rapper.

“So Doggo actually told Hammer about me, and I was home when he called me. I drove there, and I met him, and the rest is history, as they say. So it wasn’t Hammer at all.”

On what it was like working with the legendary producer, Tinny described it as inspiring.

“The feeling alone was great. Because Hammer is the type that can mute everything and drop you some baseline that you go crazy… wow… even before dropping the strings and everything.

“So it brings the feeling out of you. Like the creativity to come out. I love working with Hammer, one of the best engineers so far.”

When host George Quaye noted that some artists have found Hammer difficult to work with, Tinny had a different take.

“Maybe it is the understanding. I dey worry, but Hammer still works with me.”

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyEnt

In an interview with Doreen Avio, the award-winning artiste shared that his years of service in church laid the foundation for his music journey. However, it was after a particular gospel programme in the Volta Region that things began to shift positively.

“It was that hard in the church till sometime ago I had a friend who took me to Volta Region and as soon as I came back from Volta Region, all of a sudden, everything just changed. I joined MTN Hitmaker and I was picked. After MTN Hitmaker, I was second runner up, afterwards, I was signed by Lynx Entertainment. I took Song Artist of the Year, from Song Artist of the Year to New Artist of the Year,” he recounted.

He added that the invitation came from a friend who was a pupil teacher, and it marked a significant moment in his early music journey.

“She was a pupil teacher and she invited me there for like a three-day convention with her church. I was Minister Eugene Marfo then. That was actually where I had my first pay, so shout out to that female friend of mine,” he said.

Kuami Eugene emphasised that the church played a critical role in shaping both his spiritual and musical path.

“Sometimes I see a post on social, somebody wants to bring something, Eugene Marfo will just pop up. I’m still a minister of God and the transition started from the church. The church taught me every single thing that I know how to play the piano, guitar and everything. When I was schooling, I was still doing the music while I was playing drums for the church. I was still doing the music thing, but the push wasn’t there like I’m getting now,” he explained.

He went on to acknowledge the individuals who have supported him along the way, particularly highlighting divine grace and mentorship.

“I’m super grateful for, um, this journey in the first place and it’s been a very beautiful one. There are few people in my life that I wouldn’t be here without their help. First of all, God. God has been the tool of my life in the entire process from the Fadama days till now it has been His Grace, my mom, my dad, my family, and then I met mentors like Richie Mensah, Eric Goka, and they’ve been very instrumental in my life. I’ve learned so much from them so shout out to those who gave me the chance,” he said.

Kuami Eugene, born Eugene Marfo, has grown to become one of Ghana’s most celebrated contemporary artistes. He has produced several chart-topping hits including Angela, Wish Me Well, Open Gate, and Monica.

A product of MTN Hitmaker, he has gone on to win awards such as Highlife Artiste of the Year and Artiste of the Year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, and continues to be a dominant force in the Ghanaian music industry.

He is currently out with a new song titled ‘Do Better.’

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyEnt

Lue and Rue shared images of themselves kissing and cuddling at Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and the Aburi Botanical Gardens, under the banner of a “Show Ghana Love” campaign. Their caption framed the photos as an act of solidarity with Ghana’s queer community in the face of an impending anti-LGBTQIA+ bill that would criminalize same-sex relationships with up to three years in prison.

While the couple said their goal was to meet hate with love and shine a spotlight on the plight of queer Ghanaians, their actions have been met with outrage. Many Ghanaians pointed out that the country’s Penal Code, dating from colonial rule, outlaws “unnatural carnal knowledge” and that the Supreme Court has upheld these laws as constitutional.

Section 104 criminalizes intimate relations between men with up to three years in prison. A separate bill under consideration would further restrict advocacy and public displays of affection, imposing harsh fines or jail time on supporters.

Local photographers and tourists who regularly visit these sites have raised concerns about rising fees, strict dress codes, and limited access enforced by site caretakers. Yet in this case, the same guardians of our heritage seemingly allowed Lue and Rue to stage provocative photo shoots at the Independence Arch and in front of Kwame Nkrumah’s statue. Critics ask how such actions could slip through amid rigorous enforcement of other rules.

The fallout has been swift. Online posts attacking the couple have crossed into hateful rhetoric, with some users calling for their prosecution. Advocates for queer Ghanaians fear that these images will fuel further harassment and justify the very bill the couple sought to protest. Instead of opening hearts, the stunt has deepened divisions and stoked homophobic fervor.

Ghana’s cultural treasures belong to every citizen and visitor. They represent our history and values. It is the responsibility of the Ghana Tourism Authority to ensure that these sites are respected.

Tour guides, security personnel, and caretakers must be trained to enforce clear guidelines on appropriate behaviour. They should intervene whenever visitors attempt stunts that violate cultural norms or jeopardize public order.

Similar incidents abroad offer lessons. In Mexico, a German tourist was arrested for climbing the Maya temple at Chichen Itza in defiance of preservation rules and faced worldwide condemnation. Ghana’s authorities can adopt the same zero-tolerance approach to protect our landmarks and prevent them from being used as political or social statements that undermine their dignity.

Advocacy against homophobia and support for LGBTQIA+ rights are vital. But effective campaigns must work within local laws and cultural contexts. Events like these demonstrate how easily a well-meaning protest can backfire, harming the very community it aims to uplift.

The Ghana Tourism Authority must act now. By reinforcing site regulations, providing staff training, and establishing clear protocols for visitors, it can preserve the sanctity of our monuments and ensure that all who come to Ghana do so with respect and understanding. Only then can our landmarks continue to stand as symbols of unity rather than flashpoints for division.

Amelley Djosu is a communications strategist and media professional who crafts and elevates narratives that underscore heritage, innovation and social impact in Ghana’s creative sector.

Source: Amelley Djosu

Medikal has been sued by the Gospel group Alabaster Box for copyright infringement, the group is demanding GHS 15 million in damages.

According to lawyers for Alabaster Box, the substituted service has become necessary after unsuccessful attempts to personally serve Medikal with the writ of summons.

The court’s order sighted by 3News and dated June 12, 2025 allows for the substituted service to be carried out via Medikal’s social media handles – Facebook, Instagram and X, and also through his Manager’s WhatsApp line and on the court’s notice board.

i) By pasting a copy of the Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim on the High Court Notice Board, Law Court Complex in Accra.

ii) By serving copies of the Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim on Defendant through his verified social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and X namely; Medikal, amgmedikal and Medikalbyk respectively.

iii) By serving a copy through the defendant’s Manager, Kofi Jam on his registered WhatsApp number

Alabaster Box in its writ of summons alleged that Medikal’s song, “Welcome to Africa,” unlawfully sampled their copyrighted song “Akwaaba.”

The group claims that the first ten seconds of Medikal’s song are a derivative work of their original composition.

The group emphasizes that they have invested significantly in promoting their music and own the exclusive copyright to “Akwaaba” in Ghana and the United Kingdom.

The lawsuit highlights that Medikal’s song contains “expressive profanity, vulgarity and unprintable words,” which Alabaster Box argues has tarnished their brand.

Alabaster Box is seeking GHS 10 million for copyright infringement and an additional GHS 5 million in exemplary damages “for Defendant’s intentional infringement of the Plaintiff’s copyright, brand association with vulgarity and for diminishing the good mileage of the copyright work.”

The group is also asking the court to order Medikal to account for all revenues from his song and to withdraw it from all digital platforms.

Her appointment, announced on 21st June 2025 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, is part of a list of 15 new diplomatic nominations. The appointments include ambassadors, high commissioners and a consul-general designate who are expected to represent Ghana’s interests across various countries.

Sinare, one of Ghana’s most respected actresses, brings decades of experience in film and public engagement to her new role.

She is known for her roles in films such as Out of Sight, Crossfire, Ties That Bind, and Trinity. Her screen presence and versatility have made her a household name, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She has also starred in a number of television dramas and stage plays, earning praise for her depth and delivery.

Kalsoume Sinare has won several awards throughout her career, including honours at the Ghana Movie Awards and recognition for her contribution to the arts and entertainment sector. In 2021, she was celebrated at the Golden Movie Awards Africa for her enduring legacy in the industry.

Beyond acting, Sinare is also a producer and advocate for women’s empowerment and creative arts development. She holds a diploma in Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana, Legon, and has used her platform to champion issues related to education, youth development and gender equity.

The 58-year-old actress also holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

In 2021, she had her first degree in Public Service and Governance from the same institution.

Her diplomatic appointment comes at a time when Ghana is seeking to deepen cultural, economic and bilateral ties with European nations. Spain remains a key partner for Ghana, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism, renewable energy and migration management.

Other notable appointments include businessman Benjamin A. Quashie as High Commissioner to South Africa, former Kumasi mayor Kojo Bonsu as ambassador to China, and former Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, as ambassador to India.

All appointees are expected to go through the required vetting and approval processes before assuming their diplomatic responsibilities.

Kalsoume Sinare adds to the growing list of creatives who have been appointed to various positions in President Mahama’s government.

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyEnt

The celebrated gospel artiste, known for chart-topping hits such as Adom (Grace) and Mo Ne Yo, will headline a new fashion exhibition titled The Vibranium Dream Runway. The event is the maiden runway showcase of her clothing brand and promises to highlight bold designs, vibrant colours and refined creativity.

In what many are calling a groundbreaking move, Diana Hamilton herself will grace the runway wearing pieces from her latest DH by DH collection. The event will be streamed live on Instagram via the official DH by DH and Diana Hamilton pages at 9 pm Eastern Time (EST), allowing fans across the globe to witness this historic moment.

Launched in 2020, DH by DH is a fashion label that blends contemporary style with traditional African aesthetics. It caters to bold, confident and elegant women who take pride in both their heritage and their personal expression. The brand has gained popularity for its vibrant prints, sharp tailoring and emphasis on grace and modesty, reflecting the values Diana Hamilton upholds both in her music and public life.

Hamilton, who has won multiple Vodafone Ghana Music Awards including Gospel Artiste of the Year, continues to expand her creative influence beyond music. Her entry into fashion underscores her multifaceted talents and commitment to empowering women through both faith and fashion.

As anticipation builds for The Vibranium Dream Runway, the event is poised to set a new benchmark in the fusion of gospel artistry and fashion entrepreneurship.

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyEnt