I've been Alec Ross - Senior Advisor on Innovation to the US State Department when he started working with Sec. Clinton during her tenure in office.
It was all joy when I got to know, he was joining us in Geneva, Switzerland for the 2013 Internet Freedom Fellows program.
I managed to show him the Heel The World 'Black & Gold" short-film and also presented him with one of the -Heel The World- beads after explaining the concept behind the movement.
Alec Ross endorses -Heel The World- Empowerment Beads.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Photo of the Day: MJ + Alec Ross + HTW Beads
Friday, February 8, 2013
Photo Of The Day - Woman In Search of Water in Accra.
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| A woman with a baby at her back in search of water in Accra, Ghana. |
Residents in many parts of Accra and Tema would have to live with a water rationing exercise being undertaken by the Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL) for the next six months.
The exercise, according to the service provider, has become necessary, following a detection of a structural defect in four out of the 12 filters at the Weija Treatment Plant.
“The challenge is technical and it’s as a result of structural defects detected in four out of 12 filters at the Weija Treatment Plant about two weeks ago.
Continue story...
Monday, December 5, 2011
Photo Of The Day - Jamestown Lighthouse
Jamestown Lighthouse in Accra. When in Ghana; do visit this historical monument located in Accra.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Serge the Concierge: 10 Do's & Don'ts of Accra, Ghana.
Re-Blogged: Serge the Concierge
When I stumbled on WE_ Africa magazine, Ulrike Reinhard made me realize that I had left a whole continent out of the 10 Do's and Don'ts equation. I asked her to help me remedy to that.
Today you see the first instalment with Mac-Jordan D. Degadjor guide to Accra, Ghana.
10 Do’s & Don’ts of Accra
Are you coming to Ghana’s capital city of Accra for the first time? There are a lot of stuffs you can do and others you can’t/shouldn’t do. First off, I’m going to start with the DON’Ts.
10 Things Not Worth Doing in Accra.
1. Don’t ever take taxis at the Kotoka Int’l Airport upon arrival. They are a big rip-off. Before your trip to Accra, make sure to arrange for your host or a trusted local to pick you up from the airport.
2. Don’t ever expose your bank or credit card details in public or even at the hotels. Make sure, you’ve exchange your foreign notes into the Ghanaian Cedis and don’t carry a lot of cash on you too.
3. Don’t ever wear bikini or very revealing clothes in Accra. The Ghanaian culture on dressing doesn’t approve of such types of dressing. Make sure, all sensitive areas are covered and you dress decent always. No mini-skirts.
4. Don’t shake hands with the left hand. Also, don’t eat with the left hand. Always use the right hand when dealing with people and showing directions.
5. Don’t be a fan of taxis in general whiles staying in Accra rather, opt for the cheapest mode of transport which is; Tro-tro (shared buses plying majors town routes within Accra). They are very cheap and economical but can get very uncomfortable sometimes. Don’t sit closer to the bus collector (mate) ever.
6. Don’t walk on the streets of Accra and its environs alone after 7pm. Make sure, you’re in the company of others; at least 3-4.
7. Don’t ever go to the beach to swim on Tuesdays as it is forbidden and a big taboo.
8. Traffic in Accra is like a snail with a limp. If you’re supposed to be at a place in an hour; please leave 2hrs before otherwise, you’ll curse yourself always. Traffic in Accra is actually a “part-time” job for most commuters.
9. Don’t ever buy/purchase anything from mobile phones to gadgets from hand dealers around Kwame Nkrumah Circle or Accra Central. You’ll be ripped off heavily and your item might be either a stone or an empty wooden box.
10. Don’t ever try to argue with the Ghanaian policeman when it comes to road/traffic issues. Never ever do that. Just oblige and “tip” him/her GHc1.00; sorry it’s been increased to GHc2.00.
11. Don’t go shopping for foodstuffs, groceries or garments all by yourself. Make sure, you’re accompanied by a local otherwise, the prices of the stuffs will be doubled (in case you’re a white person)
10 Things Worth Doing in Accra.
1. Do visit the Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah’s Memorial Park and learn a lot about Ghana’s first President.
2. Do visit the Ghana National Museum which is located in the heart of Accra and is featured in all Ghana travel magazines.
3. A Must Visit: Visit Ghana’s only premier University; University of Ghana located in Legon. Very beautiful landscape and buildings.
4. Do visit the clean and sunny beaches in Accra after rainy season. I’ll recommend Bojo Beach, Tawala Beach (above), Ada Beach Sajuna Beach Club and La Pleasure Beach (always be in the company of trusted folks whiles here at night)
5. Do visit the Independence Arch and also the Independence Square (Black Star Square).
6. Do well to visit the Ohene Gyan Sport Stadium (Accra Sports Stadium) when there’s a local premiere league match going on.
7. Do try our sumptuous Ghanaian meals with their accompanying soups especially; Fufu with Light/Palm/Pea-nut soup (below), Banku with tilapia and shitor (local black sauce), Kenkey & red pepper and fried fish and Waakye. Places to visit: Asanka Locals (Madina & Osu), Bush Canteen (East-Legon), Osu Night Market (Osu), Agbaa Maame (Tema) & Auntie Muni’s joint (Labone)
8. When it comes to Night Life; there are a couple of places to visit for good music, networking and enjoying a great evening. In no other; +233 Jazz Bar (Kanda), Reggie Rockstones Office (Cantonments), Rhapsodys of Reality (Accra Mall), European styled pub: Bella Roma (Oxford Street, Osu), Citizen Kofi’s Sky Bar ( a great view of Accra at night), Celsbridge - best grilled & spicy chicken joint (Labone)
9. Visit the fishing community of Jamestown and also get to the top of the old light house.
10. Lastly, Go African artifacts shopping at Art Center located in the heart of Accra.
It takes a Mac-Jordan to navigate Accra. Read his Blog here: Mac-Jordan Ghana
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Rick Ross Performs Very Early & "Impresses" Fans In Ghana During BMF Tour
Re-Blogged: Original Story Ghana Web
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| Rick Ross at Accra Int'l Conference Center: 28.12.2010 |
The concert that was expected to have an eclectic collection of popular Ghanaian faces and time-tested music of the hip-hop music scene came off with Rick Ross rather performing very early, taking the stage before 8pm.
Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II emerged on stage with his 15 man crew, greeted with the loudest cheers from the crowd.
Fantasy Entertainment is rumored to have paid Rick Ross $170,000. It wouldn't have changed anything if they had announced that Rick Ross was catching an early flight (11:00pm) to South Africa so would perform early just to avoid the angry crowd.
Tickets prices were GHc 75.00 for Regulars, GHc 105.00 for V.I.P and GHc 150.00 for V.V.I.P. … Rick Ross tackled songs from his old albums to the current ones from his platinum-selling album, “Teflon Don” album throughout out the 60mins (45mins actually) he was on stage.
The moment the beat of Blow Money Fast was dropped, the whole auditorium started rapping along
Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II emerged on stage with his 15 man crew, greeted with the loudest cheers from the crowd.
Fantasy Entertainment is rumored to have paid Rick Ross $170,000. It wouldn't have changed anything if they had announced that Rick Ross was catching an early flight (11:00pm) to South Africa so would perform early just to avoid the angry crowd.
Tickets prices were GHc 75.00 for Regulars, GHc 105.00 for V.I.P and GHc 150.00 for V.V.I.P. … Rick Ross tackled songs from his old albums to the current ones from his platinum-selling album, “Teflon Don” album throughout out the 60mins (45mins actually) he was on stage.
The moment the beat of Blow Money Fast was dropped, the whole auditorium started rapping along
“I think I'm big meech Larry Hoover//, whipping work, hallelujah, one nation under god real niggas getting money from the f***ing start".
The new Ghanaian rendition of Rick Ross's BMF (Blow Money Fast) goes like
“I think am big meat, ma chi mu mugu...Ghanaians, Conference Center..... Hallelujah Father Christmas. Performing Very Fast (PVF= BMF).
The show opened around 6pm with the Skillions Record's J-Town's performance followed by label mate EL dishing out good GH hip-hop music. Kwaw Kesse stayed true to his words and came down from USA purposely for the Rick Ross concert and was right up next after Rick Ross left stage.
Tiffany does her best to kindle the energy of the crowd; a daunting task for the only female act on the bill. She was later joined by Sarkodie (Ghana's Fastest Rapper) to do the remix of "Fake London" track.
Tiffany does her best to kindle the energy of the crowd; a daunting task for the only female act on the bill. She was later joined by Sarkodie (Ghana's Fastest Rapper) to do the remix of "Fake London" track.
Coming from UK and label mate of Sarkodie and Akon, Sway Dcypha's performance on stage was so good that he had the crowd shouting along with him. His fans helped out on party favorites like "F Ur Ex," "Intoxicated” and more. You could feel the bass deep down in your chest and rattling your head around when he took it to the UK level with his 'grimey' songs.
New-Kid-On-The-Block; Trigmatic seemed to be having fun and he shared that joy of performing with the audience, who were on their feet the entire time and sang along with him.MTV Music Awards nominee; D-Black rolled out next on stage with an intro boasting about his 15 music nominations. His performance was accompanied by Dr-Cryme and his young hype boy, Dee-Money.
Tinny "Aletse" was next on stage and delivered a humble and heartfelt acknowledgment to his fans present. During his performance, DJ-Black, the official DJ and MC for the nite signaled him to cut his performance short to which Aletse Tinny wasn't too pleased with. He left the stage "angry" with his fans yearning for more of his music.
Asem took the stage next after a short intermission. Asem’s performance was centered on creating jokes from his new single “2011 Fylla ". Rick Ross come perform early and go”, were some of his new lines. The fine boy rapper clanked out a dozen crowd-pleasing hits that had the house on its feet for most of his time on stage.
There were so many things that will always make Charter House Entertainment the leaders of event organizing in Ghana.
Things that amounted to them were poor publicity, bad security, not willing to release all the 'charged fees' to the local artistes before they mounted the stage and more. Fantasy Entertainment needs to sit down and puts their acts together if they ever bringing an international artistes to Ghana.
Hint: **Nikki Minaj in Ghana in Summer 2011**
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Asamoah Gyan for BBC African Player of the Year.
Ghana Black Star’s World Cup & Sunderland FC’s forward; Asamoah Gyan is nominated alongside four other African players including; Andre 'Dede' Ayew (Olympique de Marseille), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Yaya Toure (Manchester City) & Didier Drogba (Chelsea FC) for the BBC African Player of the Year award.
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| Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew, Samuel Eto'o, Yaya Toure & Didier Drogba |
My choice and vote goes to Asamoah Gyan.
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| Asamoah "Baby Jet" Gyan |
He was the World Cup’s proudest player, the man who so nearly propelled the Ghana Black Stars to the semifinals of the World Cup as Africa took its place on the global stage.
It wasn't until the World Cup in South Africa that he really made a name for himself. He scored in both of Ghana's opening games, earning the Black Stars 4 points and securing qualification to the last 16, where we faced the Yankees (USA).
In a tight-to-twist affair; Gyan shattered the American's dreams in extra-time, making Ghana only the third African nation to reach the quarter-finals, along with Cameroon and Senegal. Don't ask me about the missed penalty kick & the "Magical hands of God" from Luiz Suarez.
Now, you understand the main reason why I want him to win the award, right? Do me this favor:
Don’t forget; voting ends on Friday, December 10, 2010. Results will be announced on Friday, December 17, 2010.
Photo Credit: BBC Sports & Getty Images
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Ghanaian Spoken-Word Artiste; Percy Mutombo Goes Musical...
Accra-based Spoken-Word Artiste/Poet/Lyricist, Percy Mutombo emerged on the burgeoning alternative art scene in 2006 and hasn’t looked back ever since. He's earned his stripes as a captivating performer over the years and now breaks new grounds by putting his work over instrumentation on his forthcoming album; "PhotoSentences".
Sweet Memories; the first single from the debut album is already making waves for obvious reasons; as a pioneer of such a genre in Ghana. The lyrics are as captivating as the concept behind the album.
Producers and Artistes contributing to the album include Kweku Ananse, M3NSA, Wanlov Da Kubolor, Panji Anoff of Pidgen Music, DJ Juls, Ghana's YouTube Viral; Yaa Pono and Kwam1. “PhotoSentences” will be released in January 2011 by Pidgen Music Entertainment.
Mutombo’s goal with his soon to-be-released album “PhotoSentences” is to illustrate the visceral power of his words; laced over head nodding beats, to show young Ghanaians that Spoken Word/Poetry is alive and to pave the way for local up & coming poets in search of inspiration.
Download the Hit Single; Sweet Memories for free HERE
Percy Mutombo has appeared on numerous platforms including “The Mentor Show”, “Face of Legon” and other local/international media outlets including TV3, ViaSat1, DSTV, GTV, Joy FM, HITZ FM etc. Mutombo is also a resident poet at Mi Prime Entertainment’s “Bless The Mic” Open Mic Series and the British Council’s WAPI series.
Watch Out for the album; PhotoSentences in Jan, 2011.
Credit: AmeyawDebrah
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