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‘Coming to America’ flipped and reversed? Anwar Jamison wraps up shooting of ‘Coming to Africa’ in Ghana
American writer and director, Anwar Jamison has wrapped up shooting scenes for his latest film, ‘Coming to Africa’ in Ghana.
According to the filmmaker who is known for ‘5 Steps to a Conversation’, ‘A Bitter Pill to Swallow’and ‘Funeral Arrangements’, the new film is ‘Coming to America’ flipped and reversed!
He explained in an interview on Ameyaw TV that: “The plot is completely different from ‘Coming to America’ but I wanted to play on that because it is so familiar to a lot of people, it is a movie that is still dear to the hearts of many. So I just said, what if you had a similar situation of two guys going the other way; being dropped into a completely different culture and adjusting and learning from it?
“I just wanted to give a balance perspective of Ghana, an African country because over there in the US, we never get that. We grew up with a very one-sided view of Africa, it is always negative but the more I read, the more I learned, and the more I had people who visited tell me more about what they saw, I just wanted to capture it in a movie, I thought that would be a perfect format. “
Playing the two Americans who get to experience Africa through Ghana are Anwar himself and Powwah Uhuru. The Ghana cast includes David Dontoh, Paulina Oduro, Nana Ama McBrown and PY Addo Boateng, who is also a producer on the project.
Anwar Jamison expressed his appreciation of the crew he worked with while filming in Ghana. “ I’ve never had a crew like that, they surprised me. The energy was on and their dedication was amazing. Sometimes in America people get a little lax, and feel entitled but over here everyone was professional and fun.”
With the Ghanaian scenes completed, the remaining scenes are going to be shot in Memphis, where Anwar plies his filmmaking trade. He is aiming for a summer release in 2020 and premiering it at an international film festival.
“We are going to roll out something in the spring for everybody and that would be worldwide. And then we will come back to Ghana sometime in the summer to have that time to celebrate because it is quite an accomplishment. Nobody has done this before; from the biggest Hollywood studios to Indy producers, nobody has come here to tell this kind of a story,” Anwar expressed.
Anwar Jamison has film in his blood. As a child prodigy, he attended John Robert Powers Acting School in Tulsa Oklahoma at age 4 and was featured in several commercials. At 16, he enrolled at the University of Memphis and ultimately received his B.S. in English Writing from UW-Whitewater. He went on to receive an M.A. in English and an M.A. in Film & Video Production from the University of Memphis.
In 2008, he wrote and directed Funeral Arrangements, his first feature film, which was distributed nationally by Select-O-Hits.
Already an English Professor, in 2012 he established the Digital Media & Film program at Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis, Arkansas for which he still serves as Lead Faculty.
In 2013, he wrote and directed his second feature film, 5 Steps to a Conversation, which was also distributed nationally by Select-O-Hits.
In 2017, he co-authored Priceless Dream: The Story of the Dallas Cowboys #1 Fan with Ms. Carolyn M. Price. The book is the biography of Ms. Price, coming of age in segregation-era Dallas and her ultimate rise to universally recognized Dallas Cowboys number one Fan.
In 2019, he released A Bitter Pill to Swallow, his first documentary feature. The film tackles the epidemic of prescription pill abuse as a street drug and its effect on the users, their families and the community.
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‘Kuami Eugene is alive and receiving treatment’ – Lynx Entertainment issues statement
Following news of Ghanaian musician Kuami Eugene’s involvement in a car accident, Lynx Entertainment, the record label representing him, has issued an official press statement. (more…)
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Ghana International Trade Fair Center on the eviction and demolition of Fantasy Dome
The Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited has dismantled the “Fantasy Dome,” owned by Fantasy Entertainment, which has been on the trade fair site since January 2018, to pave way for developers to complete the ongoing “Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project.”
The dismantled facility will be available to its owners for it to be relocated.
The tenancy agreement between owners of the Fantasy Dome and the Trade Fair Company Limited expired on 31 December 2023. Since then, all efforts by the management of the Trade Fair Company Limited to get “Fantasy Entertainment” to remove the “Fantasy Dome” from the Trade Fair site has proved futile.
The CEO of Fantasy Entertainment has stated in a Saturday March 17th interview that he has an injunction, but the Trade Fair Company Limited has VEHEMENTLY DENIED any such injunction. In fact the company states that it has not been served with any court processes and no injunction was served on the day of the demolition.
Ironically, access to the portion of the site where the “Fantasy Dome” is situated at the Trade Fair site is vital for developers to construct the power and water infrastructure for the project as well as the drainage system to serve the new Ghana International Trade Fair Center. The dome has hampered the progress of these works for approximately 12 months.
To this end, the Trade Fair Company Limited on Saturday, 16 March 2024, embarked on an exercise supervised by the Ghana Police Service with support from the National Security Ministry to take down the “Fantasy Dome” in order for construction works on the Trade Fair site to proceed freely.
Brief background
The Ghana Trade Fair Company (GTFCL) was established by an Executive Instrument (EI) in 1960 as a project to facilitate Ghana’s post-independence trade and industrialization drive.
The Executive Instrument 10 acquired a 239.92-acre land for this purpose and to showcase Ghana’s exports with the view to attracting investors into its fledgling economy.
From its origins in 1960, GTFCL has metamorphosed into a limited liability company strategically positioned to promote and facilitate trade in Ghana.
There have been attempts by successive governments to revive the company through various public-private partnership initiatives. These attempts have focused on redeveloping the entire center under various themes. The current redevelopment project is considered as a core part of President Nana Akufo Addo’s vision to position Ghana as a trade hub for West Africa.
The new Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project, when completed, would have a convention and an exhibition center, a technology hub, retail mall, commercial offices, hotel accommodation, and public realm spaces.
Infrastructure works and construction of the major exhibition center are now underway.
It is under the Akufo-Addo government that the company was revived to successfully undertake an aggressive redevelopment of the site. The management and board of directors of the company under this government have worked tirelessly to turn the company into a commercially viable business today and have secured funding from development partners to develop the site.
The new GTFC
The new Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project, when completed, would have a convention and an exhibition center, a technology hub, retail mall, commercial offices, hotel accommodation, and public realm spaces.
Infrastructure works and construction of the major exhibition center are now underway.
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Kuami Eugene Survives Car Crash, Sustains Injuries
Multiple award-winning Ghanaian singer and songwriter, Eugene Kwame Marfo, professionally known as Kuami Eugene narrowly escaped a near-fatal accident when his car rammed into a tipper truck on the night of Sunday, March 17, 2024. (more…)
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Ghana’s Blitz Bazawule’s ‘The Color Purple’ dominates 2024 NAACP Image Awards
“The Color Purple” a film directed by Ghanaian filmmaker Blitz Bazawule dominated at the 55th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night, taking home four accolades including outstanding motion picture. (more…)
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Mix Master Garzy’s 2MG Music foundation inspires hope through music on Ghana’s Independence Day
Ghana Independence Day holds great significance for the nation, but for 2MG Music Foundation, it became a day of deeper meaning as they embarked on a journey of compassion at Orthopedic Training Centre in Nsawam.
Benjamin Garzy Mensah, popularly known as Mix Master Garzy is the Founder and CEO of 2MG Music Foundation, an NGO based in Ghana which is also affiliated with the 2MG Music record label.
Their inspiring mission of “Touching Lives through Music: was definitely achieved at the OTC Camp. On Ghana Independence Day, the music foundation arrived at the hospital loaded with instruments, ready to uplift spirits and bring smiles to the patients.
As the musicians played, OTC came alive with the soothing sounds of music. Children had the chance to showcase their talents through dance and song, creating a fun filled inclusive atmosphere. Performing artists rallied to show their unwavering support for the event such as Niashun, Akua Music and Mr Drew and the Band Masters who held the fort for the live entertainment.
The music served as a welcome distraction for the OTC members, reminding them of joy and resilience amidst their physical challenges. Each song imparted a message of hope, showing them, they were not alone in their journey towards healing. Beyond melodies, they forged connections and touched hearts, leaving a lasting impression on children, families and staff. Inspired, they pledged to continue spreading joy through music.
In commemorating Ghana Independence Day at OTC, 2MG Music Foundation embarked on a meaningful journey of compassion and solidarity. Through music, they brought smiles and hope to all, reminding us of the importance of supporting one another in times of need.
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