Google-Ghana Event in Accra, Ghana.

Google is on a road-trip across Africa. G-Nigeria Day 2010 came off at the University of Lagos from 18 - 20 February, 2010. It's the turn of Ghana this week.

Google want to meet with software developers, technology entrepreneurs and marketing professionals at the G|Ghana event..
Google Ghana is holding a two day event aimed at software developers and entrepreneurs in Ghana. The event; G|Ghana - is aimed at introducing developers to Google technology and application development tools and platforms and also demonstrating Google tools that could be useful to entrepreneurs and for innovation.

The venue for the 2-day event will be at "Ghana's ICT Hub"; Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE).

According to the g|Ghana homepage;

Day 1: June 3rd, 2010 will focus on pushing the boundaries of web applications using Google developer technologies. Google engineers and web development leaders will lead you through one full day of in-depth sessions on the latest Google technologies and hands-on codelabs. The day will also be about bringing brilliant developers together to share their own ideas. There will be plenty of time to meet other developers, discuss ideas and share what you've been working on.

Day 2: June 4th, 2010 will be full of Google product demonstrations for small or medium sized businesses to help spur innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. We will discuss how to create content using online tools, how to market them and how to monetize. Furthermore we will discuss several tools to better manage your business. Finally, we will host a VC panel to who will share their expertise in funds and launching technology ventures.

Also, Laptops are not necessary but it sure will be very ideal to carry one for LIVE blogging & tweeting. Lunch will also be provided free of charge.

I'm leaving for Accra tonight from Takoradi to be able to attend Day 2 of G|Ghana. Hope to see you there if possible...!

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Ghana Black Stars Going Forward or Backward?

Image via Wikipedia

 After yesterday's 4-1 thrashing of the Ghana Black Stars by the The Flying Dutchmen from the Netherlands; I'm more than convinced that, the Stars need to sit up, be focused and face the realities of their next friendly before the tournament starts.

I can boldly say; the Dutch side were disciplined and affirmed coach Marwijk’s belief that he already knows his starting eleven. This should give Coach Milovan Rajevac a chance to re-think on his starting eleven and eliminate all those who don't qualify to start. I was very surprised, Portmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng wasn't featured in yesterdays game? 

As much as I like football [soccer] and also a die-hard Chelsea FC fan, I wouldn’t say I do support the Ghana Black Stars that much. Yes, don’t be surprised this is coming from a patriotic citizen like me. Even though their performance at the Africa Cup of Nations in January was a bit OK, I still can’t bank my hopes on them at the World Cup in South Africa from next week…

The current squad without, Michael Essien, Stephen Adams, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Haminu Dramani, Bernard Kumordzi and Laryea Kingston makes Team Ghana not a sure choice for my support in the competition. I believe Coach Milo have reasons for his choice of players, no matter what.

Ghana have been drawn in Group D and will face Australia, Germany and Serbia with their first group stage match against Serbia in Pretoria on June 13, 2010.  The 23 players the gaffer has named is very cool. Not”cool” as in the best squad we could have assembled, but”cool” as in it being the best out of a bad situation ....More

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African Soccer Stars "Revealed"......

I came across this picture of Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba (left) and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (right)—two of football's biggest (and arguably best) stars online a couple of days ago—proudly representing the 2010 World Cup, "the planet's biggest sports event" on the June cover of Vanity Fair Magazine.

Inside the pages of the magazine, you will find more football stars including Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Ghana’s Sulley Muntari.

In a revealing look at the significance of the World Cup (excuse the pun, but they are wearing flags and little else), Vanity Fair attempts to relate football to its American audience explaining,

"In America, these men might not enjoy the same name recognition as the stars of the N.F.L.—that game that we call football—but for most of the planet, they are more than just showstoppers. They are gods."

For more information, visit www.VanityFair.com and if you're interested in learning more about and following the World Cup from the vantage point that only Vanity Fair can give you, check out Fair Play, a football blog created by the magazine.

Photo Credit : [Annie Leibovitz For Vanity Fair]

Reezon’s "I Am The Reezon" Out Now...

Ghanaian born Rapper/Musician/Social Media Entrepreneur based in Chicago; Richard Sowah aka Reezon is out with his debut LP “I Am The Reezon”.

“I Am The Reezon”launched online on May 1st, 2010 and is available on Rych Ent, CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon and most online stores…

The 16 track album features Dem Boyz, Syne, Kursa & Agie...
1. Intro
2. Reezon
3. Drinks On Me
4. Sika (feat. Kursa)
5. Skit - Talking To JayQ
6. The Struggle
7. Hands Up
8. Good Year
9. Make Way (feat. Syne)
10. Yaa Asantewa (feat. Tennette)
11. Commort 4 Derrr
12. Kudin Outro
13. Get The Steppin (feat. Agie)
14. Somu Gye (feat. Dem Boyz)
15. Korruption
16. Scratch

I Am The Reezon ... is a delicate marriage between the two worlds that have birthed and nurtured Reezon, Ghana and the US. Though strongly influenced by American hip hop, he finds subtle ways of bringing through the African in him. Support Ghana's own Reezon. Get a copy and spread the word.

Book Review :: Paul Sika : At the Heart of Me

An Ivorian photomaking friend of mine, Paul Sika who I happened to meet at Maker Fair Africa in Accra last August, 2009 came out with his novel titled; “Paul Sika - at the Heart of Me...” which is out on sale now. I haven’t had the chance to read this inspiring novel yet but I happen to come across a review from one of the first buyers; Sci-Cultura. As you all know, I believe in data sharing a lot, so here we go…

"at the Heart of Me" Author - Paul Sika

Paul Sika, easily the hottest artist out of the African continent right now, has today launched his new photobook, “At the Heart of Me –> See his website and check out the trailer.

The befittingly self-proclaimed “Andy Warhol’s grandson” refuses to fit in a box (he negates that there is such a thing as a box) and this is reflected in his newly published photobook; where his inimitable vibrant images are presented, juxtaposed with prose that tells stories behind the people, locations and moments that played a part in creating his images, as well as stories of Paul Sika, the mortal, as he expresses his thoughts, his dreams, his encounters, his questions and his philosophies and sometimes how they relate to global on goings.

It is laudable that Sika explicitly refrains from explaining the stream of consciousness that informs and inspires the sets that he creates for his photo shoots and the subsequent photomaking* that births his trademark colorful explosions of intense theatrical art depicting urban African life as it has, to my knowledge, never been portrayed. He allows the onlooker the freedom to plunge in and decipher the meaning from wheresoever’s their soul takes him/her. Sika’s style may be likened to that of Dave Lachapelle but with this collection, he reinforces the mark that he’s created that left me thinking he isn’t like Dave Lachapelle, he is like Paul Sika.

It is hard to miss Sika’s naming of names – names that are brands – which admittedly I initially (mis)interpreted as the revelation of a desire to be recognized, iconographised and aptly positioned on the popular culture pedestal in their midst. But as I continued to turn the pages, it occurred to me that perhaps Sika names these names as an acknowledgment to the inspiration he draws from them. After all, this is At the Heart of Me that shares his desires, his heart. His inner heart’s desires.

At the Heart of Me is not one to be devoured hurriedly or without consideration. After all he is offering a glimpse into the core of him (as I understood the title), which deserves in the very least steadfast attention. It is to be leisurely savoured, gradually absorbing the 36 images and prose, one at a time. That the narrative doesn’t follow the predefined storyline sequence – beginning, middle and end – is a positive as one may leisurely dip in and out of his works randomly, perhaps revisiting them and seeing something new, or again yet differently, or both, or… It is your unique journey.

Put your lateral-thinking cap on (Sika is an avid connector) and get into the word play and rhymes that he weaves, revealing a poet (who knew?) as he challenges concepts and actions.

My personal take from Sika: the seemingly confident and unwavering creative exploration of passions and ideas is about getting into the flow. This includes flowing with life to where it may take you, which may sometimes mean not getting what you want. But that in itself could take you to an even more exciting place.

If there was a box, Sika wouldn’t fit into one anyhow.

*photomaking is a term Sika has coined for his ‘single-frame films’.

**********

You still want more, right?

See a recent interview of Sika with CNN Inside Africa’s Isha Sesay, in response to recommendations via social media sites like Twitter. There is also a write-up on CNN Inside Africa, with a sideshow to whet your appetite for the book.

Credit : Sci-Culturist

Positive Effects of Social Media @ TEDx YouthInspire

Social Media Tools

Growing up in a small trading-town of Keta in the Volta Region, my grand-mother; Madam Doris Degadjor-Deha; a Cereal/Grains  Seller in the Keta Market paid so much attention to Education as the only key to eradicating poverty in our family.

Back in the day, she always makes me write letters to my father by normal dictation of whatever she wants to say and I also try as much as possible to express them on the foolscap sheet from my notebooks...! This was the only mean of communicating between my father and Uncles who were in Accra.

I saw those habits as a means of bridging the communication-gap between myself, my dad, Uncles and my grandmother. Those days of letter writing have really helped in shaping my writing skills till date. I owe my grandmother every bit of my success story. She’s the reason why I’m on this podium sharing my life experiences with you all.

In secondary school; Keta Secondary School. I was a member of the Writer’s & Debaters Club in my first and I later on  became the Editor-In-Chief of the School’s Magazine [The Dzolalian] which was released in time for the 50^th Anniversary Celebration. To some extent, I do believe it’s hard to know sometimes how our life has changed until we stop for a moment and look at how different it is from 10 or even 5 years ago.

In recent year’s social media, likely more than anything else has significantly impacted most of my daily lives. The very first thing I look out for when I open my eyes each morning is my Nokia E71 Mobile Phone...! With this tool, I'm able to communicate, know of the latest trending topics/news and update my followers/friends about happenings around me. 

In recent year’s social media, likely more than anything else has significantly impacted most of my daily lives. The very first thing I look out for when I open my eyes each morning is my Nokia E71 Mobile Phone...! With this tool, I'm able to communicate, know of the latest trending topics/news and update my followers/friends about happenings around me.

Envisioning the global conversation that has developed over the past few years because of tools like Hi5, MySpace, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter might have been unimaginable for most people at the beginning of this decade. But social media communication tools have profoundly changed my life and how I interact with other people in the world.

Below are the various ways Social Media has revolutionized MY LIFE.

1. Citizen Journalism / Blogging

My friends on social media are increasingly becoming my trusted sources of information, even more than search engines. My Nigerian blogger friend now resident in Ghana, Oluniyi David Ajao recently commented,

“More people are finding my blog from Twitter and Facebook referrals than via Google.com.”

Interestingly, this should tell you how deep people are going with Social Media these days. News (news) is more social than ever.  By getting our news from social media, we know who is recommending and can easily communicate with that person about it.

Read more here : Mac-Jordan GH

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Azumah's Career DVD Premiered in Ghana

On March 29, 2010; I wrote about the Premiere of a DVD Documentary; “ZOOM ZOOM - The Career of Professor Azumah Nelson” which will be screened at the Silverbird Cinema in Accra, Ghana. Over the weekend, I happened to be at the premiere and below are the account of what and all that happened…!

Many have lived and dedicated their lives for Ghana either in sports, music, education and many more. One of such personalities who will remain on the lips of Ghanaians years to come is the only boxing professor, Azumah Nelson who ruled the boxing world during the 80s and 90s, becoming the first African to be inducted into Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

It was all joy when hundreds turned up at the Silverbird Cinema in Accra on Saturday [19.04.2010] for the premiere. Notable personalities include; Hon. Nii Nortey Dua, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports; Prof Attuquaye Okai, President of Pan African Writers Association; Alhaji Toffik, Boxing Promoter; Sammy Captan and Ike ‘Bazooka’ Quartey were among the numerous friends who attended the event.

The video documentary titled “Zoom Zoom - The Professor” which touches on the genesis of a man, who believed from childhood that he was born to be the best, was written and produced by Sam Afua Kessie, a Ghanaian Filmmaker based in Atlanta, United States of America with funding from Geodrill.

Narrated by Ashley Morrison and occasional interjections by "Zoom Zoom" himself, Mr. Kermah, Azumah's former Manager and the former Sports Minister Mr. Amarkai Amarteifio, the DVD also captures his youthful days in Bukom [The heartbeat of African Boxing], where he grew up, what stirred him to choose the sport and about his Foundation.

As the video rolled out on the big screen, it brought back nostalgic memories of the exploits of the boxing legend, when the entire nation kept wake for his fights. They hope to raise 23 million dollars with all proceeds going to the Azumah Nelson Foundation which will establish a multi-purpose sports facility to be called Azumah Nelson Sports Academy in Akuse; a suburb of Accra. The Academy will give hope and training to many young folks who wish to pursue a career in Sports and Education.

The premiere was used to raise funds for the Azumah Nelson Foundation and was conducted by Mr. Eddy Du Plan, a project intended to help the very needy youth in the society. Ghanaian Movie Actress; Nadia Buari and Rev. Benjilo gave GH¢1,500 each for a copy, while Mr. Samir Captan, chairman of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Ama K. Abebrese, the emcee for the program, Ghanaian Poet; Professor Attuquaye Okine, Alhaji Toffik and several others gave GH¢1,000.00 each for a copy.

The successful fund raising ceremony, preceded by a cocktail, saw many lovers of the legend demonstrating their support by picking the DVD for appreciable fees. After the premiere, copies of the DVD documentary were auctioned raising over GHC20,000.00 Ghana Cedis.

According to Sam Kessie; “I got to meet Azumah May last year [2009] whiles working on a book. He also wanted to do a DVD alongside it. So we got talking and I remember watching him as a kid so it was a really great opportunity to even start with. Once I got into it, it got more interesting. It was an opportunity I couldn’t give up. But it was tough to find footage and other materials but at the end it was worth it,” she said.

Azumah Nelson in a brief presentation described the premiere as a very special one because; “It's the first time of putting his boxing career on a DVD."

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April Fools' Day - To Fool or Be Fooled.

Tomorrow is 1st April - April Fool's Day…!  If somebody does a practical joke or hoax on you on this day, don't get mad nor feel embarrassed because whoever that person is (or yourself) has a perfect excuse - its April Fool’s Day!

Before I started writing this post, I kept asking my colleagues at work about the origin of this day and what actually happens but couldn’t gather much information from them ad they don't really pay much attention to this in the past years.

Traditionally, in some countries, such as the UK and South Africa the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick/joke after noon is called an “April Fool”.  In Canada, France, Ukraine, Russia, The Netherlands and some parts of the US, the jokes last all day.

The news about the recent earthquake which was rumored to be hitting Ghana and made a lot of Ghanaians slept in the open space for hours; surely is a perfect prank on April Fool’s Day. David Ajao's post; Earthquake scare in Ghana. Is Ghana prepared? and Ethan Zuckerman's post; The Ghanaian Earthquake Hoax on the Hoax stories explained more, though. What happened to the one who caused that prank? Let’s see more pranks from you tomorrow..!

A good April Fools’ Day prank needs good planning, so get on it! Don’t just go abusing people if you don’t know what to do. I came across this link which has a few positive and non-abusive pranks you can play on your colleagues, friends and even families.

In Ghana, how do people celebrate this day? Do you agree we skip it tomorrow and spare each other from lame practical jokes and fake drama? Have you ever played a prank on your friends/families during last year’s April Fool’s Day? Do you mind sharing your views on April Fool’s Day in Ghana? How would you celebrate this day?

Photo Credit: Getty Images