People & Lifestyle
Guest Blog: Revisiting Maiden Edition of Big Brother Africa 20 Years On
Today, 25th May, which is also “Africa Day” (which is observed annually to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity – OAU), marks exactly 20 years the first season of Big Brother Africa (BBA) was launched in Johannesburg, South Africa. The show was produced by Endemol for Electronic Media Network or “Em-Net” (stylised as “M-Net”).
It started on 25th May in 2003 and ended on September 7 of that year, lasting 106 days. The housemates were Cherise (Zambia), Mwisho (Tanzania), Tapuwa (Zimbabwe), Warona (Botswana), Gaetano (Uganda) and Stefan (Namibia). The rest were Bayo (Nigeria), Abby (South Africa), Sammi (Ghana), Alex (Kenya), Zein (Malawi) and Bruna (Angola).
BBA1 was the first in the world to have housemates of different nationalities from one continent. These 12 English-speaking young Africans were confined to a palatial home in Johannesburg. The two-bedroom self-contained house had a garden, storeroom, diary room, living room, bathroom, kitchen, toilet and dining area, with 27 video cameras and 62 microphones capturing and picking every move, action and sound of the housemates. It was broadcast live, 24 hours-a-day on M-Net’s defunct channel 37 on DStv – Africa’s premier satellite TV provider.
Between May and September of 2003, the housemates brought their emotions, opinions, cultures and personalities into focus as they lived, fought, laughed, argued, learned and loved under one roof. On the last day, Cherise Makubale from Zambia was pronounced the winner of Big Brother Africa 1, after receiving 6 votes (out of the 13 votes) from Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia to win. She walked away with the coveted $100,000 cash prize, which was handed over to her in a silver briefcase on the stage.
The inaugural Big Brother Africa was a very fascinating and outrageous “social experiment” and “TV laboratory” that mixed voyeurism with entertainment, captivating the diverse audiences – an estimated 32 million TV viewers across Africa.
The decision to stage the pan-African version of Big Brother was a business and marketing strategy. In their quest to broaden the Big Brother show audience and also to encourage people to buy their own TV sets (which was a ”luxury” back in those days) and eventually subscribe to DStv, MultiChoice (a subsidiary of M-Net and operators of DStv) allowed free-to-air local TV stations across Africa to air a packaged 30-minute daily highlights, excluding the “shower hours”. Ghana’s Metro TV (then owned by Talal Fatal) was the local Ghanaian TV station that partnered with M-Net to screen it to their terrestrial TV viewers hereby increasing the audience for the BBA1 show substantially in Ghana.
What intrigued and captured the public’s imagination about BBA1 (and the Big Brother format in general) was the allure of watching ‘real’ people in action as opposed to scripted TV dramas and movies. It was a novelty to many people in Africa, and as a result it became the talk of town, especially the “shower hours” where some of the housemates were seen on TV (only via the live feed on DStv) bathing completely naked. These live TV images of the housemates showering together stark naked, like “Adam and Eve”, titillated the obsessive live DStv feed viewers who feasted their eyes like a spider in the top corner of a bathroom.
BBA1’s “shower hours” stoked up considerable controversy across Africa, with a section of the public describing it as an affront to “public decency” and the “vilest spectacle” ever on TV in Africa. As a highly impressionable teenager at the time, this alien and avant-garde reality TV concept really piqued my curiosity and interest, and also had a profound effect on my young mind.
How Big Brother was imported to Africa
The Big Brother show was created by Dutch media mogul, John de Mol Jnr. in the late 90s in the Netherlands (Holland). Between 1997 and 1999, John developed this reality TV format with a team from his TV production company, “John de Mol Produkties” – an independent company part of Endemol.
The term “Big Brother” came from George Orwell’s novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four” (also published as “1984”), with its theme of continuous oppressive surveillance. And thus, in the Big Brother TV show house the housemates are monitored 24hr/7 with menacingly rotating super high-tech cameras fixed in every nook and cranny of the house. There is absolutely no place to hide in the Big Brother house!
The world’s first ever version of Big Brother was aired in the Netherlands on Veronica TV in 1999. This Dutch TV project became a huge hit and quickly spread across Europe. Big Brother’s franchise was then sold and syndicated internationally across the world, making it a worldwide hit show on television.
The Big Brother franchise was “imported” to Africa, through South Africa, in the year 2000 by Carl Fischer – a white South African who worked with Endemol South Africa and M-Net in the late 90s and early 2000s respectively. Carl is credited for revolutionising the TV scene in Africa (especially in South Africa) by introducing the continent’s first reality TV series, Big Brother, leading to his popular nickname “Mr. Big Brother”.
During his tenure at M-Net as Director of Local Programming, Carl pushed to increase the TV network’s investment in locally produced TV programmes, and M-Net’s investment in local programming saw a boom under him.
Hitherto, scads of the TV shows that aired on TV channels in South Africa were imported from outside the African continent, notably the Netherlands, ostensibly owing to the strong historic ties and long-standing special relationship between the Dutch of the Netherlands and Afrikaners (white South Africans) who own most of the TV networks (like M-Net) in South Africa.
The Big Brother show, being a totally new TV show format in Africa, was initially ‘piloted’ as “Big Brother South Africa”, with housemates from only South Africa – black, mixed race and white South Africans. The first season of the South African version aired in 2001 and the second in 2002.
Prior to the season 2 of Big Brother South Africa in June 2002, M-Net organised a celebrity version called “Celebrity Big Brother” which aired for only 8 days. Featuring South African celebrities as housemates, all the money raised from voting was given to charity. The two seasons, and also the celebrity edition, were all hosted by Mark Pilgrim, who recently passed on in South Africa.
The enthusiastic reception and astonishing ratings for Big Brother South Africa (which took a long hiatus after season 2, and was revived/rebranded in 2014 as “Big Brother Mzansi”) and the “Celebrity Big Brother” inspired M-Net and Endemol greatly to stage the continental edition – Big Brother Africa.
Launch of Big Brother Africa in 2003
The maiden edition of Big Brother Africa was launched and celebrated with far too much pomp and pageantry that any individual who claim not to have seen and/or heard about it was probably “deaf” and “blind” around that time.
The late Mark Pilgrim was once again given the baton to host the pan-African version too. There were also 12 guest presenters in each of the 12 participating countries whose responsibility was to interact with the kith and kin of the housemates, coupled with updating viewers on Big Brother news and highlights from their respective country.
In Ghana, that mantle fell on Christopher Nii Keith Attoh, simply called “Chris Attoh”, who was then a young freelance TV presenter and undergraduate student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology (KNUST).
Big Brother Africa was apparently designed to feature housemates from only Anglophone African countries. For this reason, most of the viewers were quite surprised to see a participant from Angola – a Portuguese-speaking nation.
But the organisers didn’t see this as a big deal, perhaps due to the fact that Angola had a sizable English-speaking population despite the country being a “lusophone” (Portuguese-speaking) nation. After all, the show targets primarily the elite class who predominantly formed this “sizable” English-speaking population in Angola.
Not surprisingly, the first housemate to be evicted from the BBA1 house was the Angolan representative, Bruna. In the wake of her eviction, word got around that the viewers in Angola misconstrued the communiqué (delivered in English of course!) issued in relation to the voting system.
From its very outset, till its fourth season (Big Brother Africa 4: The Revolution) in 2009, the public voted for the housemates they wanted to “evict” and not to “keep” in the house. But alas, the people of Angola, likewise other ‘ignoramuses’ in other part of Africa, voted massively for Bruna, thinking they were rather keeping her in the house.
It was a popular view during BBA1 that the most “beautiful” and “sexiest” housemate was this Angolan musician cum model called Bruna Tatiana Estevão (search her up on Google to confirm. LOL.). Accordingly, it was excruciatingly painful for some viewers to see her walk out of the house, barely 28 days.
Another interesting highlight of BBA1 was when Gaetano surprisingly swapped places with Big Brother UK (BBUK) housemate, Cameron Stout (from Scotland) who in the end won that season of BBUK. Gaetano’s UK trip was a prize for the best cocktail contest which was actually won by Bruna. But owing to her eviction (which was just some few days to the UK trip), it was passed on to Gaetano who came second in the contest. The Big Brother housemate swap was a “twist” designed to liven up the season 4 of the UK version which was being screened at that time in the UK.
Gaetano upset British housemate Tânia do Nascimento when he called her “a piggy” (because of the amount of food she eats), causing her to walk off in tears amid threatening to leave the Big Brother UK house. The two buried the hatchet before Gaetano left the BBUK house and returned to the BBA1 house in Johannesburg. The next day, Tânia was ‘shockingly’ evicted from the BBUK house, receiving a high public vote to evict.
For the entire 4-month period that Big Brother Africa 1 was on TV, it drew a huge following across sub-Saharan Africa (Africa, excluding “North Africa”). The explosive popularity of the show even ‘triggered’ the then President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, to go on the radio to endorse and canvass for the country’s representative, Warona.
BBA1 became a way of life on the continent. People would frantically dash out of their offices to their various homes just to catch the latest antics on TV. Individuals with no television often raced to pubs and bars in droves to watch on communal TV sets. At such venues, there were even reserved seating for some ardent audiences. The teeming crowd grew larger when “evictions”, held on Sunday evenings, were about to take place.
Big Brother Africa Controversies
BBA1 was praised highly in countries like South Africa, Botswana and Uganda for bridging cultural gaps, and also reviving the spirit of pan-Africanism and camaraderie among Africans.
However, the reverse was the case in some other African countries. In Zambia, BBA1 came under sharp criticism from church groups, political and religious leaders who said it was too explicit, encouraged immorality and seemed to condone casual sex in the midst of Africa’s HIV/AIDS pandemic.
They further argued that, the show portrayed scenes of nude housemates taking showers on live TV, which was not in consonant with African cultures and values. And hence, they started a petition to get the show off the state-owned TV station Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
Namibia’s then president, Sam Nujoma also tried to ban it by ordering the country’s national TV station Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to stop telecasting it. But the president’s fiat fell on deaf ears just as in Zambia. Some people were of the view that the President Sam Nujoma’s “dislike” for the show may have been born out of the fact that the Namibian housemate, Stefan Ludik, was not a black Namibian and so he should not have been Namibia’s representative in the pan-African contest (there are white people in Namibia, just like in South Africa).
There were equally fierce agitations in Malawi to get this “immoral show” (as BBA1 was referred to) taken off air. Unlike in the aforementioned countries, the Malawian parliament voted to ban the daily highlight broadcast on the state broadcaster, TV Malawi (TVM). A fortnight later, a high court in Malawi repealed it, arguing that the Malawian Parliament acted outside its powers.
Carl Fisher, the “mastermind” behind the Big Brother format in Africa, was famously quoted as saying, “If (the show) didn’t generate any controversy, the project would be a failure”.
BBA1 was the highest-rated show in the history of African television. It was later aired in America on the “Africa Channel” from November 2008 to March 2009, making it the first non-American edition of Big Brother shown in the United States of America (USA).
The success and popularity of Big Brother Africa 1 led to M-Net and MultiChoice investing in more African versions of reality TV franchises like “Survivor” and “Idols” viz. Idols South Africa, Idols West Africa, Nigerian Idol and Idols East Africa.
By: Eugene Selorm Owusu
People & Lifestyle
BLISS GVS PHARMA GHANA DONATES MEDICINES AGAIN TO CAPE COAST TEACHING HOSPITAL
Spearheading the initiative for the fourth consecutive year, Bliss GVS Pharma’s campaign, “Act for Africa: A Malaria-Free Continent,” aims to provide crucial medical support to combat malaria, particularly in vulnerable communities.
In a significant stride towards eradicating malaria from the African continent, Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana reaffirms its commitment to corporate social responsibility by donating over GHC 250,000 worth of medicines to Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Winneba Trauma Hospital to commemorate approaching World Malaria Day 2024.
The gesture underscores Bliss GVS Pharma’s dedication to ensuring that every individual gets access to high-quality medicines, particularly in regions heavily burdened by malaria. The donation encompasses anti-malarial and other essential medicines like LONART, GSUNATE, Fricks, Gacet and many more.
The driving force behind this noble vision is the Managing Director of Bliss GVS Pharma, Mr. Gagan Sharma. His unwavering belief in the fundamental right to healthcare motivates the company’s endeavours to make a tangible difference in the fight against malaria.
Pharm Rosemary, the representative of Bliss GVS Pharma, underscored the company’s steadfast commitment to malaria eradication, she said it is our social duty to contribute towards ensuring that no one is deprived of essential healthcare, especially in the battle against diseases like malaria. Through our ‘Act for Africa’ campaign, we aim to play our part in making Africa a malaria-free continent.”
Dr. Eric Kofi Nyedu, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, who lead a delegation to receive the items expressed profound gratitude for Bliss GVS Pharma’s benevolent gesture, stating, ” We’re grateful for Bliss GVS Pharma’s generous antimalarial and other essential medicines donation, which strengthens our ability to treat patients, especially during peak malaria season and health outreaches in villages around the Cape Coast enclave. We have identified that Bliss GVS is dedication to improving community health through our partnership and we will always recommend them”
The donation of GHC 276,000 worth of medicine symbolizes Bliss GVS Pharma’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its belief in the transformative power of collective action. By partnering with healthcare institutions such as the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Winneba Trauma Hospital, the company endeavours to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to malaria treatments.
In addition, the students of the Cape Coast Nursing and Midwifery College were engaged in a health talk where resource persons equipped them with topics on personal and vaginal hygiene, malaria prevention, and spread.
On World Malaria Day 2024, as the global community unites to amplify efforts against malaria, Bliss GVS Pharma Ghana stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a healthier, malaria-free future for Africa.
People & Lifestyle
Stay Ahead of the Curve: How Profit Edge Gives You the Edge in Trading
The tools or devices that you will never run away from for your edge in the business, for that matter. Traders are always ahead with the trading platforms that get upgraded and advanced tools. One, with rapid inroads, is profitedge.org.
That’s what this extensive guide to Profit Edge is going to go into.
1. Understanding the Importance of Staying Ahead
Anticipation, dynamic expectation, can move the edge into a market movement before it happens.
Profit Edge: A Trading Game Changer
This section assesses the ways to derive profitable trading opportunities and reduce the risks by staying ahead.
2. Harnessing Cutting-Edge Technology
Leveraging Profit Edge for Maximum Returns
The brand makes use of the latest technology in order to give analytical insight and live market insights to the trader. The brand with its advanced algorithms and predictive analysis gives a comfortable position to the trader to decide.
3. Exploring Profit Edge Features
Key Features of Profit Edge
This part presents some of the characteristics that make Profit Edge stand out from conventional trading platforms. Both experienced and novice traders have a very easy trading experience with Profit Edge due to customizable dashboards and easy-to-use interfaces.
4. Benefits of Using Profit Edge
Why Profit Edge is Essential for Traders
Benefit from the sample of the numerous benefits that Profit Edge has to offer, ranging from efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. The friendly interface coupled with advanced features will elevate your trading to the next level.
5. Maximizing Profit Potential Strategies for Maximizing Profits with Profit Edge
The following are the different strategies that show just how potential profit is maximized using Profit Edge: from trend analysis to risk management, Profit Edge presents all that it takes for you to survive in today’s competitive markets. ## 6. Overcoming Challenges
Navigating Challenges with Profit Edge
While all manner of traders—from the most novice to the most experienced—face challenges, how Profit Edge can help traders of all levels to overcome common obstacles and, therefore, control the typical rough market conditions confidently, is now pondered.
7. Testimonials from Satisfied Users
Real-Life Success Stories
In the following, you will certainly find the answer: from the beginner-level investors to professionals who have been in the business for ages, Profit Edge is praised for being easy to use, operationally reliable, and accurate.
8. Future Trends in Trading
The Future of Trading with Profit Edge
This section will take a look at some of the emerging trends in trading and how Profit Edge positions itself for the future of the industry. From AI-driven algorithms to predictive analytics, Profit Edge is definitely trading technology of the future. —
Conclusion
In summary, Profit Edge is a game changer in the trading world, providing that edge a trader needs to have a fighting chance in today’s markets. It can be that one empowering tool which will give advanced features and an uncluttered user interface that is easy to understand, ensuring giving out every minuscule detail for exposure to the users and possibly giving the best accuracy that no other platform might even promise. Profit Edge is made for young and old investors—what are you waiting for? Sign up for Profit Edge today and take your trading to the next level.
People & Lifestyle
BTC Ai Evex ™: Your Gateway to Investment Education Excellence in 2024
Welcome to BTC Ai Evex ™, your pathway to excellence in investment education for the year 2024. With very rapid changes in digital assets and cryptocurrencies, being current and continuous learning is very important. With BTC Ai Evex™, a person taps into information and becomes exposed to probably the largest knowledge base taken care of by professionals in that field. Let’s take a look at what makes the BTC Ai Evex™ site so preferable to any investor way before the somewhat toilsome run in the wild wild west of the cryptocurrency market.
Unlocking the World of Cryptocurrency
Understanding Bitcoin and Beyond
With https://cryptoengine.app/, we empower our clients with information that makes you have a comfort zone in the digital environment. Starting from beginner information on Bitcoin to very advanced details regarding Altcoins, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced trader, our comprehensive resources cater to all levels of expertise.
Embracing AI Technology
The advent of Artificial Intelligence has brought revolution to the ways of handling investments. BTC Ai Evex ™ presents to the world of users superior insights and predictive analytics use AI technology. Our AI-driven instruments analyze market tendencies, find patterns, and offer you invaluable suggestions for activity. You, as an investor, will be acting from an informed decision-making pedestal.
Navigating Investment Strategies
The right strategy must be in place for this crypto investment. Through BTC Ai Evex ™, the user can achieve several investment strategies that fit his goal and risk. So, whether you are looking forward to holding for the long term or you are short-term trading, this is the platform that equips you in building a successful investment portfolio.
The BTC Ai Evex ™ Advantage
Expert Insights
Our hall of experience, with many years of working in the crypto industry. We are home to experts, from the most recognized analysts to influential blockchain developers, combining one high-power team to present to you unbeatable insights into the world of digital assets.
Educational Resources
Education forms the base of successful investment, and this is the reason BTC Ai Evex™ has put together a broad spectrum of educational material, which includes articles, tutorials, and many others. If you are to get your basics clear or move on with something much more advanced, this is the place for you.
Community Engagement
Become part of a large, energetic community of like-minded people who are interested in crypto. While at BTC Ai Evex™, we develop collaboration and sharing ideas with the help of forums, live chats, and other means of network activity. Communicate with other investors, discuss some ideas, and be aware of everything new within the current industry.
Conclusion
Above all, BTC Ai Evex ™ is more than an investment platform; it’s a gateway to the educative investment excellence of 2024. We enable investors to move successfully in the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies with our full resources, advanced AI technology, and a vibrant community. Whatever a trader you are—the professional one or just making first steps in the field—BTC Ai Evex ™ holds all aces up its sleeve for your victory. Join now, and let your potential finally unfold in the crypto market!
People & Lifestyle
Trading Made Easy: BitLQ Matrix Demystifies Bitcoin Trading
In the ever-evplolvieing landscape of cryptocurrency trading, understanding the nuance of Bitcoin trading is really tough for anybody—be it newbies or seasoned traders. But now, modern tools—like the bitql.app. Matrix—make understanding the ins and outs of Bitcoin trading easier than it ever was. This article, therefore, presents a means through which BitLQ Matrix demystifies trading in Bitcoin, showing how it works, its functionalities, benefits, and how it makes it easy for one to trade.
Unveiling the BitLQ Matrix
Understanding the BitLQ Matrix
BitLQ Matrix is an all full trading tool designed to make trading with Bitcoin a snap. Envisioning and using the most developed algorithms, real-time data analysis for advising traders and helping exercise their well-informed decisions under high market volatility conditions.
Key Features of the BitLQ Matrix
- Real-Time Market Analysis: The BitLQ Matrix is thejson being analyzed by to determine trends and data that may create potential trading opportunities.
- Inherent Tools for Risk Management: The BitLQ Matrix comes with built-in risk management features, assuring the trader of minimal loss probability and the highest possibility of return.
- User-friendly Interface: The user interface of this platform is friendly for both novjsoni and expert traders.
How BitLQ Matrix Simplifies Bitcoin Trading
The difference is that BitLQ Matrix makes this much easier, with all the necessary market data and more consolidated, in the easiest-to-read design. For the greenhorn and seasoned investor, the BitLQ Matrix makes it easier to get the guesswork from trading Bitcoin.
Leveraging the BitLQ Matrix for Success
Maximizing Profit Potential
Notable benefits of using BitLQ Matrix include real-time identification of good trading opportunities. It is from advanced analytics and market insights that traders can enjoy price movements.
Minimizing Risk Exposure
Apart from that, BitLQ Matrix also avoids risk since it provides traders with instruments through which they can manage their positions accordingly. That is to say, whether it’s the setting of stop-loss orders or implementation of risks that must be managed, the BitLQ Matrix certainly allows for capital protection and, most importantly, loss reduction.
Enhancing Trading Efficiency
BitLQ Matrix uses a user-friendly, intuitive framework that is designed for smooth operation in the market, increasing efficiency in trading. There will be streamlined trade executions, and a lot of opportunities can be capitalized on without time wastage in cumbersome processes such as manual analysis and decision-making.
Conclusion
It is, therefore, making the BitLQ Matrix a game changer in the world of Bitcoin trading, cutting the process into a simple one and thus, in turn, empowering each trader with actionable insight. From the greenest novices to the grizzled veterans, Bitlq offers something for everyone in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency trading.
People & Lifestyle
Unveiling the SYNERGY Edition of the Africa Makeup & Beauty Fair and Ghana Beauty Awards:
In the heart of vibrant Accra, where the sun kisses the waves and the air hums with anticipation, we are thrilled to announce the unveiling of the 8th Edition of the Africa Makeup & Beauty (AMB) Fair and the Ghana Beauty Awards (GBA). From the 8th to the 10th of November 2024, the Labadi Beach Hotel will transform into a tapestry of creativity, innovation, and aspiration. This year’s theme for both events centers on “Sustainable Synergy for Eco-Empowerment in a Changing Climate,” emphasizing the transformative potential of collaboration and unified efforts. It underscores the pursuit of elevated standards, the fostering of connections, the pursuit of excellence for global influence, and the active involvement of both youth and women.
Nominations for the Awards Categories and applications for exhibitors and vendors will open on Monday, April 22nd, 2024. With a lineup of extraordinary activities planned, all stakeholders in the beauty and wellness community should mark their calendars for this unmissable event.
Sponsors, media partners, and volunteers interested in being part of this transformative event are invited to contact Makeup Ghana via email at ambfair@makeupghana.co or by phone at +233 55 2555555.
Scheduled activities at the fair include Exhibitions & Discount sales, Business Pitch, Forums, Workshops and Seminars, Beauty and Fashion shows, Live Demos, and Barbers Competition. Showcase your brand or products to over 3,500 attendees, including policymakers, celebrities and influencers. Follow this link https://form.myjotform.com/92963095433565 Registration ends on 29th August, 2024.
With a total of 37 Categories this year, the call for Nominations for the Awards has commenced and beauty professionals, businesses and emerging talents are encouraged to partake in this life changing experience. Check out the categories by clicking on the link http://bit.ly/gbanominate Fill in and submit your nomination now. Call for Nominations closes on 22nd July, 2024.
Awards Process are as follows;
- Nominations
- Shortlisting
- Final announcement
- Judging/Public voting
For Details Contact Tel: +233 552 555 555
Facebook/IG/Twitter: Ghanabeautyawards / Africa Makeup & Beauty fair
About Africa Makeup & Beauty Fair
The AMB Fair is an annual event to showcase and connect the Ghanaian beauty industry to African and Global consumers, vendors, partners and service providers. It provides an excellent platform for meeting new and existing customers, and it is the best opportunity for beauty businesses to position their brands and products at the forefront of their target audiences’ minds. The event also connects local and international brands, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to new customers, markets and strategic alliances, hence there is no better place to take control of how the industry views your brand and make a lasting impression on your potential customers.
About Ghana Beauty Awards
The Ghana Beauty Awards (GBA) is an annual celebration for the Beauty and Wellness Industry, aimed at fostering excellence, by rewarding and celebrating pioneers, leading professionals and upcoming talent within the industry, as well as businesses and brands who are contributing to economic growth. It is the first of its kind to reward trailblazers and budding talent in the industry in Ghana and Africa.
About Makeup Ghana
Makeup Ghana is a social enterprise creating a unifying platform for the stakeholders in the fast growing beauty industry in Ghana. Our goal is to bring together makeup professionals, makeup brands, beauty retailers and fashion & beauty content creators in Ghana, under one umbrella, to propel the industry forward. This is being achieved through Advocacy and consumer education & Brand Marketing; Showcasing talent and innovation within the industry; Training and professional development of practitioners and artists; Trade shows, conferences & Networking Events; Encouraging best practices and standards in the industry, all aimed at being catalysts for growth and inspiring excellence within the beauty industry.
People & Lifestyle
Anansi Green Energy to deliver green electricity to Ghanaians through a new renewable energy platform
Anansi Green Energy
The Swiss renewable energy company NEK Umwelttechnik AG (NEK) has been developing in the past years six large-scale onshore wind farms in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, which are ready for implementation. The total capacity to be installed is approximately 1,300 MW through the six projects. These wind farms could produce about 3,400 GWh of green and cheap electricity each year for the Ghanaian population and the industrial sector.
To supply energy to as many customers as possible, NEK has established recently in Accra a new renewable energy platform, which will provide to its customers cheap, sustainable, never ending, and clean electricity to cover the increasing electricity demand in Ghana and to overcome dumsor. The platform is called Anansi Green Energy Ltd. (Anansi). Anansi will assume, over time, all of NEK’s wind farms and in addition will also undertake the development and operation of solar and biomass plants.
This new platform will have several equity partners, lenders, and investors, including large and well-known international power companies and green funds. Ghanaian investors, lenders and key stakeholders and institutions will also be involved in the implementation and financing of Anansi.
The platform will act as a “captive” industrial power generator by selling the green electricity directly to industrial offtakers. It is hoped, in the future, Anansi will be the vehicle through which Ghana can become a renewable hub for West Africa as a whole by also exporting renewable energy through the existing WAPP network to surrounding countries.
Figure 1: Visualisation of one of NEK’s planned wind energy projects in Ghana which will be integrated into the Anansi Green Energy Platform
A lot of interested customers
Anansi is now starting to discuss terms with several interested customers for the delivery of green electricity. The future demand both in the country and in surrounding markets for green energy will likely grow significantly.
Although there will always be a need for baseload energy capacity in the planning of any energy sector, both for environmental and indeed affordability reasons it will be essential to create a structure through which renewable energy can be developed, without such relying on the public sector. Mining companies, the concrete sector, steel manufacturers, but also other industries and the mobility sector will demand cheap and green electricity, which can be delivered by Anansi in the very near future.
Figure 2: Anglo Gold Ashanti. One of the big mining companies in Ghana which could be provided with clean energy through the Anansi Green Energy Platform. Source: https://www.anglogoldashanti.com/
No competition to VRA or ECG and no reliance on Government of Ghana
Anansi will not become a competitor to ECG, VRA or NEDCo – nor will it be necessary for Anansi to have the traditional “take or pay” PPA with ECG or any support from the Government of Ghana. Anansi will be able to implement its projects without any reliance on the public sector at all. Indeed, the intent will be that Anansi will have, as its partners, VRA / ECG in providing baseload capacity to its customers.
Figure 3: Visualisation of another one of NEK’s wind energy projects in Ghana. The onshore projects alone could amount up to 1,300 MW installed capacity and are located predominantly in rural areas
Green Energy as a Megatrend
Green energy is enjoying unanimous support and gaining political and business momentum around the globe. The global energy sector is in the midst of a transformation. The global energy transition is now well underway, with ever-increasing clean energy investment and momentum for net-zero targets by mid-century. Energy security and sustainability nowadays go hand in hand and are top of the agenda for many governments worldwide.
Africa is no exception, with the continent facing rapidly growing energy demand, critical energy access gaps, and an imperative for development. Africa’s imperative to accelerate its socio-economic development in a resilient and sustainable way could immensely benefit from accelerating clean energy deployment, as was stated at the COP28 summit last December.
Failing to accelerate the development of renewables poses major threats to the continent already suffering the most from the impacts of climate change. Yet, while global renewable energy investments are reaching record-high levels, renewables are still critically underfunded in Africa, signalling urgent work ahead. This also applies for Ghana: Ghana’s energy outlook shows an exponential soaring of future energy demand.
Thermal generation continues to require high-cost fuel and remains subject to the risks inherent in the ability for such fuel to be continuously delivered. Ghana will require an accelerated development of renewable energy, but it will not be able to do so if there remains a reliance on typical grid connected IPP’s with ECG as the sole offtaker and with full Government backing. It is not possible or reasonable for the public sector itself to assume such risks going forward.
A different rule book now needs to be written, and Anansi has the potential to provide that new way forward right away.
Figure 4: Ghana presents a good opportunity to integrate different renewable energy sources into one package. While the coastal region offers good wind conditions (here is one of NEK’s met masts in Konikablo, Ghana, measuring the wind potential), it also offers adequate solar resources for the installation of Solar PV
VALCO modernization and expansion plans
Volta Aluminum Company Limited (VALCO) has announced its plan to expand operations and seek a strategic partner which would be prepared to invest around USD 600 million to revamp its operations. The goal is to reposition VALCO in a way that retrofitting will transform it from a loss-making entity into a best-in-class, profit-making and shareholder value-maximising entity, thus become the ultra-modern and best smelter in Africa.
With the projection of the building of 4 operating bauxite mines and 2 refineries under the IAI Masterplan as well as the revival of the downstream sector, the modernisation and expansion of the VALCO smelter is timely, thus creating a new VALCO with much more significance than ever before.
However, such plans require a lot of additional electricity, which at least for the time being is not available in Ghana. It is estimated that at the end of the retrofitting and extension program, VALCO will require more than 1,000 MW of installed electrical power. “Where do we take this from?”
The volume of green electricity required by VALCO will be significant with the realistic and probably only solution being the electricity capable of being produced by Anansi. Anansi will look forward to creating a partnership with VALCO and VRA, which could allow VALCO to attract international investment which will require such available green electricity and will also otherwise allow VRA to significantly expand its operations.
Green Energy, Green Hydrogen and E-Mobility
Green energy from NEK’s wind farms, as well as other solar plants and biomass facilities through Anansi will provide the cheapest generation costs for electricity in Ghana. While fossil power plants produce energy at approximately 15 US Cents per kWh, NEK’s wind farms will produce energy for less than 8 US Cents per kWh in current pricing. There are possible further savings to these costs as well through the application of carbon credits.
The renewable projects to be developed by Anansi will be long term and allow for certainty as to the all-in cost of energy as there will be no relevance or risk for possible fuel price shocks going forward. The available wind and solar irradiation will remain free, and Anansi’s customers will be able to benefit from such.
In addition to green energy, Ghana should consider developing a ‘Green Hydrogen and Green Fuels’ and an ‘E-Mobility’ policy. The Government should consider key strategies and relevant road maps for the development of the “energy carrier” in the future.
Green hydrogen and electric vehicles will need significant renewable resources to be available, otherwise, they cannot be called green. A strong political signal will trigger huge investments from abroad in the energy sector of Ghana and business activities relating to these future markets. The key for doing so is the implementation of renewable energy projects.
Figure 5: With ongoing rural and urban development in Ghana, demand for mobility will increase even more in the coming years. The Anansi Green Energy Platform would be uniquely equipped to provide clean energy to an emerging e-mobility sector in Ghana. Here, a boundary survey is taking place as port of the project development work in connection with the planned wind farms of NEK
Outlook
Due to the heavily increasing demand for cheap and clean electricity in Ghana and abroad, much more renewable energy even than that capable of being produced in NEK’s planned 6 onshore windfarms, and the other planned Anansi solar projects and biomass facilities will be required within the next 5 – 10 years.
However, land for such further projects may also become a scarce asset, especially in populated areas. This is one of the reasons why NEK has decided to start the development of two (2) large offshore wind and solar facilities off the coast of Anloga and Ningo.
These offshore wind and solar parks will have an installed capacity of approximately 3,100 MW and will generate more than 7,500 GWh of clean and reliable power per year. These installations do not require any fuel, LNG, gas, oil or other fossil, outdated energy sources – the “fuel” is the wind and the sun, which are never ending, home-made and always coming back to Ghana for free.
Anansi Green Energy will play a huge role in the delivery of much needed green energy for Ghana already in the very near future. Now is the time for Anansi to create its positive green web in delivering sustainable and affordable energy to its customers, making Ghana a renewable energy hub in West Africa.
Figure 6: Illustration of an Offshore Wind Farm combined with floating solar, which will be constructed by Anansi off the coasts of Ningo and Anloga
Dr. Christoph KAPP, the writer is CEO NEK and Anansi Green Energy
EIB Network issues statement on Serwaa Amihere’s leaked video controversy
My wife sent her nudes to her Dubai lover while I was on my sick bed – Erico speaks on divorce
Nigerian dancer Korra Obidi attacked with Knife and acid during live stream
Stonebwoy performs ‘Activate’ with Davido at sold-out Madison Square Garden show
Ghana’s entertainment industry mourns death of DJ Isaac Cool
BLISS GVS PHARMA GHANA DONATES MEDICINES AGAIN TO CAPE COAST TEACHING HOSPITAL
Stay Ahead of the Curve: How Profit Edge Gives You the Edge in Trading
BTC Ai Evex ™: Your Gateway to Investment Education Excellence in 2024
Trading Made Easy: BitLQ Matrix Demystifies Bitcoin Trading
Unveiling the SYNERGY Edition of the Africa Makeup & Beauty Fair and Ghana Beauty Awards:
Buzz1 week agoEIB Network issues statement on Serwaa Amihere’s leaked video controversy
Buzz20 hours agoMy wife sent her nudes to her Dubai lover while I was on my sick bed – Erico speaks on divorce
Buzz1 week agoNigerian dancer Korra Obidi attacked with Knife and acid during live stream
Buzz1 day agoStonebwoy performs ‘Activate’ with Davido at sold-out Madison Square Garden show
Buzz6 days agoGhana’s entertainment industry mourns death of DJ Isaac Cool
Buzz1 week agoMedikal confirms separation from Fella Makafui; offers to perform at her future wedding
Buzz7 days agoStonebwoy inks new deal with Warner Music’s ADA Worldwide
Radio & TV1 week agoDStv Delivers Choice and Value for Exciting Entertainment Moments In April
Buzz1 week agoUpdate: Junior Pope not dead – AGN President
Buzz7 days agoSelly Galley suffered five miscarriages – Praye Tietia reveals
Fashion1 week agoTimeless Thread: a new collection by Jokel Fashion World
Buzz1 week agoMy tigers are still with me; I feed them with a cow every 3 days – Cheddar
