Radio & TV
Al Jazeera launches ‘Africa Direct’, an immersive series of short documentaries
Al Jazeera English launches Africa Direct, a distinctive series of compelling and immersive short documentaries produced and directed by all-African filmmaking talent.
The films open an authentic window onto a range of ordinary and extraordinary African lives, to present nuanced and complex perspectives of this diverse and multifaceted continent. The stories give voice to African storytellers, who have so often been drowned out or overwhelmed by outsider mediation. The series comprises around 30 short documentaries, curated into half hour episodes. The first tranche of six half hours starts airing on Al Jazeera English from 30 November 2021 until 4 January 2022, featuring the first 14 short films from 11 countries. These slice-of-life stories each centre around a main character who articulates their own narrative, without reporters or other mediators. Simply put: Africa Direct is African stories, told by African storytellers about African lives – for audiences across the continent and around the world.
What’s on Offer?
These character-led films are traditional and modern, poignant and flamboyant, with people who are surviving or thriving, poor or powerful. At the heart of each film is a story which makes us think, feel and connect.
Traditional knowledge is uncovered as we witness the ancient arts of parchment book-making in the Ethiopian mountains in The Bookmaker, directed by Girum Berehanetsehay; and of calligraphy in Timbuktu as a man restores ancient manuscripts in Beïrey-Hou: Desert Libraries by Andrey S. Diarra (Mali); tension between old and modern ways features in In The Aluminium Villageby Onésiphore M. Adonai (Benin) where we meet an engaging young man who must straddle the old ways of his village and his youthful aspirations.
The lives and vocations of African women are explored in On the White Nile by filmmaker Akuol de Mabior, where we are transported into the world of a spirited South Sudanese fisherwoman and boat captain; in The Young Cyclist by Yuhi Amuli, a young Rwandan former hawker becomes a female bicycle taxi-driver and then a competitive cyclist; in Joan Kabugu’s Throttle Queens (Kenya), we meet a women’s motorcycling club and witness how their love of riding brings them exhilaration, freedom, adventure and a sense of control over their lives; and in Amelia Umuhire’s Settling (Rwanda) a professor of architecture inspires her students to take a people-centred approach to the city’s ‘informal housing’ challenges.
Celebrating Africa’s flair for creativity and the unusual, we meet a dancing deputy mayor who officiates at wedding ceremonies in Happiness, a joyful film by Valaire Fossi (Cameroon); while in The Cave, directed by El Kheyer Zidani (Algeria), a puppeteer and artist prepares a new show in a remote town, where he and his father share the joys of theatre, music and storytelling; in Colours Are Alive Hereby Seydou Mukali (Kenya), a rising star and fashion designer in Kibera, Nairobi’s large urban slum, invites you in to his bustling life as he surrounds himself with creativity, design and artists.
Filmmaker Oumar Ba’s Kalanda: A Wrestler’s Dream (Senegal) tells the story of a young man determined to make it to the main wrestling arena; and in Diggers and Merchants, by Nelson Makengo (DRC) we meet a manual digger who has worked the copper quarries around his village for years – all he and his peers want is a fair chance to make a living and be respected.
“Documentary storytelling is a hugely influential medium in terms of perceptions of places, people and their power,” says Ingrid Falck, Manager of Documentaries at Al Jazeera English, who conceived and commissioned the series. “We have long championed the idea that those who know their stories best should own them in the media, claim their storytelling space. We have huge audiences across the continent and show a lot of great Africa-centred content – but the western gaze still casts a long shadow over Africa in a lot of other international media. Africa Direct is a celebration – of African documentary talent and of local stories. I’m deeply grateful to the superb pan-African teams and filmmakers who’ve delivered these stunning, immersive and thought-provoking short documentaries, for our global viewers.”
Al Jazeera partnered with Big World Cinema for this project: it is entirely based within Africa. The team includes Executive Producer Steven Markovitz (SA), Series Producers Angele Diabang (Senegal) and Brian Tilly (SA).
“We received over 300 proposals from 31 countries,” says Executive Producer Steven Markovitz of Big World Cinema. “It was an extraordinary experience reading and assessing the wide range of stories from across the continent.”
Watch the series on Al Jazeera English, from 30 November at 2230GMT, with reruns the following week from Tuesday.
Radio & TV
Nat Geo: “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” To Premiere On GOtv The man, the music, the movement
In Uganda’s 2021 presidential election, music star, activist and opposition leader Bobi Wine, together with his wife Barbie, rallied his people in a dangerous fight for freedom from President Museveni’s oppressive 35-year regime. Documenting his presidential run, National Geographic’s Bobi Wine: The People’s President, premieres across Africa on DStv 181 and GOtv 201 this Sunday, 3 December at 7pm.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Leqt5JhRa5A
Born in the slums of Kampala, Bobi Wine, Ugandan opposition leader, former member of parliament, activist and national superstar musician, risks his life and the lives of his wife, Barbie, and their children to fight the ruthless regime led by Yoweri Museveni. Museveni has been in power since 1986 and changed Uganda’s constitution to enable him to run for yet another five-year term.
Running in the country’s 2021 presidential elections, Bobi Wine uses his music to denounce the dictatorial regime and support his life mission to defend the oppressed and the voiceless people of Uganda. In this fight, he must also take on the country’s police and military, which are not afraid to use violence and torture in a vain attempt to intimidate and silence him and his supporters.
His characteristic enthusiasm for democratic discourse and the popularity he had earned from his prior artistic and philanthropic endeavors successfully endured his transition to politics. Bobi Wine continues to lead the NUP, the largest political opposition party in Uganda and has become the main opposition leader to President Museveni’s rule.
More information about the documentary is available here: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/bobi-wine-the-people-s-president
Radio & TV
Best series to binge this December on Showmax, from Poker Face to The Winter King to World On Fire
Radio & TV
MultiChoice Ghana Staff Bring Akwaaba Magic’s ‘Nana Akoto’ to Life
Walk-in customers to the MultiChoice Ghana HQ in Accra were thrilled to see staff transform the office into a colourful display of the rich Ghanaian culture depicted in the Akwaaba Magic epic, ‘Nana Akoto’ on Friday 24th November 2023.
Barely a month into its premiere, ‘Nana Akoto’ has already become a household name for many viewers of Akwaaba Magic. However, the extra attention garnered from the staff activation added another layer of excitement and anticipation from viewers and those yet to watch the series.
The epic story of ‘Nana Akoto’ is inspired by true events; it tells the story of a young prince of the ancient Kwaaman kingdom, whose life takes a turn when he is sent to the powerful Denkyera Empire as a tribute. After years of indoctrination and a loss of identity, Nana Akoto must rediscover his identity and find his way back to his people.
The team at MultiChoice Ghana were able to bring the story of Nana Akoto to life in the Ghana office, dressing in traditional costumes with its accompanying accessories as exhibited by the characters in this series. Participation was “massive” as staff brought on their A-Game as they stood the chance to win a shopping voucher amongst others.
Commenting on the activation, Human Resource Manager at MultiChoice Ghana, Matilda Asare, said she was impressed with the high participation from staff. “This has been one of the most successful campaigns we’ve run this year. This is a true testament that we do not only promote our Ghanaian series on Akwaaba Magic to external customers, but internally, we consume our content as well,” she noted.
The excitement transcended to our GOtv and DStv customers as staff shared their colourful pictures on their social media handles. Juliet Fianko from our Customer Value Management team confirms she received several messages from her followers enquiring about the show. Juliet adds “I wish we could do this again because the feedback we received from customers has been encouraging, and the attention helps to promote local content on Akwaaba Magic.”
Nana Akoto airs every Monday to Friday at 20:00 GMT on Akwaaba Magic on DStv Ch. 150 and GOtv Ch. 102.
People & Lifestyle
Meet the Top 10 Finalists! Miss Malaika Ghana 2023…. Grand Finale on 24th November!
When the call for this year’s edition dubbed #thebloomseason was made, thousands responded and showed up. And after a series of audition processes, 20 ladies were selected to begin this life changing journey. Weeks have gone by, weeks of intense training, laughter, tears, highs, lows and of course, evictions which have dropped the numbers down from 20 to the big 10 finalists. And now we are ready for a showdown, the prestigious Miss Malaika Ghana 2023 Grand Finale, and it’s happening on Friday, the 24th of November at the Grand Arena (AICC), 8pm prompt.
Meet the Final 10 Delegates.
Pristine Adzo Agbozo is a 23-year-old graduate of KNUST (voting code 43). Bridgetta Glover is a 24-year-old graduate of the Koforidua Technical University (code 19). Comfort Amoah, AKA Reina, is a 23-year-old graduate of Action Progressive Institute (code 31). Fareeda Habib is a 23-year-old graduate of KNUST (code 33). Fortune Akua Agyeman is a 23-year-old graduate of KNUST (21). Christiana Bervelyn Anim is a 22-year-old graduate of UPSA (code 14). Lady Nana Yaa Nyarko is a 22-year-old graduate of KNUST (code 2). Kimberly Akornortey is a 23-year-old student of University of Ghana (code 6). Charlotte Mawusi Gokah is a 25-year-old graduate of Adonten (code 1). Enyam Dzandu is a 21-year-old student of University of Ghana (45).
Get ready to witness a night where fashion meets glitz and glamor, as the beautiful and smart finalists take the stage in an ultimate spectacle of elegance. This is the crowning moment of the bloom season queen. Who gets the enviable right as the next Queen? Who wins the Crown, the Car, and the Cash.
Tickets for this extraordinary evening are selling for GHc100 at Charterhouse or dial *713*33*24# and follow the prompts. For more information, call 0501288520.
Performing Live are artistes of the new school; Mr Drew, Sefa, Olive the Boy, Loli X Lola, Maya Blu and Banzy Banero.
Get more on-the-go information on Miss Malaika Ghana socials; Instagram & Twitter: @missmalaikagh and Facebook: Miss Malaika Ghana. Watch each episode on CharterhouseLive on YouTube.
Miss Malaika Ghana is a Charterhouse production and is proudly brought to you by GTP, Shandy Bosoe and Pepsodent. With support from Vaseline, Atlas Rent-A-Car, Geisha, BVS Butchery, Ecogel, Locus Estates, Special Ice, Tasty Tom, Best Wester n Plus Beach Hotel, Tigon Creative Studios and Media partners.
People & Lifestyle
Kwame Sarfo makes cast of Netflix’s largest reality show yet, ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’
Old Bridge, New Jersey-based Kwame Sarfo, who is the founder of Obrempong Home, has been cast in Netflix’s biggest reality show yet, ‘ Squid Game: The Challenge‘! (more…)
Listen
Apple Music reveals Yung D3mz as the latest Up Next Artist in Ghana
Apple Music today announced Afro-fusion rapper and songwriter Yung D3mz (real name Nicholas Edem Coffie) is the latest musician to be featured in its Up Next artist development program in Ghana.
“Look ma, I’m Up Next! It’s an honour to be considered amongst the new guard of Ghanaian music,” he tells Apple Music. “I’m super geeked for this major opportunity to share my story and my art. As an avid listener, it’s legit a full-circle moment to be discovered the same way I found some of my favs, a befitting milestone to my journey.”
Born and raised in Ghana’s Tema Metropolis, Yung D3mz began writing songs at the tender age of 11 as a way to focus his energy into a passion. It was only around 2017 that he threw himself into production, motivated by his intense love for music and curiosity for all things production-related.
Influenced by the sounds of Travis Scott, Burna Boy, 6lack, Wizkid, The Weeknd and a whole host of other groundbreaking artists, Yung D3mz’ built a reputation for exuding versatility with a sound that’s smooth but comprises raw melodic elements.
With his debut EP Yung (2021) he fuses his African heritage with Western pop stylings, best exuded in uptempo single “Fever” and the ballad-esque “Carolina”. His new R&B-soul single “Do What You Want” (2023), available to stream on Apple Music, further cements his status as a musical chameleon as he flexes an ultra smooth vocal.
As the latest Up Next act to be spotlighted in Ghana, Yung D3mz will be featured across Apple Music’s Up Next playlist. The curated Up Next playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre agnostic and represents a line-up of artists our global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience.
The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Foushee and Tems
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