Is it time to RE-Brand Ghana? And can it be done without changing the present government?

The State of the Union: Zombies lead by Zombies

Zombie O Zombie (Zombie O Zombie) x2

Zombie no go go unless you tell am to go
(Zombie)
Zombie no go stop unless you tell am to stop
(Zombie)
Zombie no go turn unless you tell am to turn
(Zombie)
Zombie no go think unless you tell am to think
(Zombie)
Zombie O Zombie
Zombie O Zombie (all the above x2)

 

tell am to go straight - a joro jara joro
no break no job no sense
a joro jara joro
tell am to go kill - a joro jara joro
no break no job no sense
a joro jara joro
tell am to go quench - a joro jara joro
no break no job no sense
a joro jara joro

 

go and kill (joro jara joro)
go and die (joro jara joro)
go and quench (joro jara joro)
put am for reverse (joro jara joro)
go and quench (joro jara joro)
go and kill (joro jara joro)
go and die (joro jara joro)
put am for reverse (joro jara joro)
go and die (joro jara joro)
go and quench (joro jara joro)
go and kill (joro jara joro)
put am for reverse (joro jara joro)

 

aaha

 

joro jara joro

 Zombie we na one way
joro jara joro
Zombie we na one way
joro jara joro
Zombie we na one way
joro jara jorooooooooo oohh!

 

attention! (Zombie)
quick march (Zombie)
slow march (Zombie)
left trun (Zombie)
right turn (Zombie)
about turn (Zombie)
double up (Zombie)
salute (Zombie)
open your hat (Zombie)
stand at ease (Zombie)
fall in (Zombie)
fall out (Zombie)
fall down (Zombie)
get ready (Zombie) (the above x2)

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Songwriters
Anikulapo Kuti, Fela

 

Published by
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

(Zombie is a refrence to the soldiers in the army or the african followers who follow thier leaders without arguments!)
Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/zombie-lyrics-fela-kuti.html

World Cup Fever: How to watch the Ghana V's Portugal match.....

Paulina says: Just had to share the above photograph of a Ghana Black Star fan/supporter watching the Ghana v's Portugal match -with a t-shirt covering his TV ---its toooo funny not to.

Personally, all I can add to the above photo is that it also helps to turn down the volume -as its just tooooooooooo painful to hear those scathing commentators.... They seem to have written Ghana off --and as far as I'm concerned, its not over until its over. But getting back to the above photo ---it's funny and unfortunately the truth ---right?

 

Ghanafua leave John Boye alone -the pressure on team Ghana is immense....

Trying sooooo hard to concentrate on what's going on --right now on the field; and not all the noise of fights, money, corruption and Ghana FA's shortcomings.... Still behind our boys, still team Ghana.

 

Luxe: Ghana Rising

Crème de la crème: Managing luxury brands

Dated: 24th June 2014 

In 2013, Millward Brown- a leading global research agency valued the Louis Vuitton brand (owned by Louis Vuitton Moet & Hennessey – LVMH) at USD22.7 billion, making it the most valuable luxury brand in the world, for the eighth year. Hermes was valued at USD19.1 billion, making it the second most valuable luxury brand globally, while Gucci (owned by Kering Group) was valued at USD12.7 billion. Financial markets recognise the value of the luxury industry, a sector of high margins and high returns.

 

According to Bain & Company consulting group, the number of luxury consumers has more than tripled in less than 20 years, to at least 330 million people, globally. In addition, roughly 130 million of these consumers are from emerging markets, with 50 million of them coming from China. Every year, at least 10 million new clients enter into the luxury market, with the existing clients remaining even more loyal to luxury brands and services.

 

The BRICS markets; Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are crucial to this market. Cur- rently, MINT countries-Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey where there is a significant increase in the number of dollar millionaires and consumer spending on luxury goods and services are now on focus. Wealthmonitor stated that the MINT countries performed better than the BRICS and G8 countries. Furthermore, in Africa, the new focus markets are Nigeria, Angola, Ghana and Mozam- bique. The traditional luxury markets are South Africa and Morocco.

 

Understanding luxury and the luxury consum- er becomes important as the middle class grows in developing markets and spending on luxury goods and services increase. The largest luxury groups

in the world, (LVMH), Kering and Richemont are paying extra attention to this growing market.

The universe of luxury is a universe of heritage, craftsmanship, aesthetics and social distinction.

 

But it has its own laws, the anti-laws of marketing. Sometimes, consumers confuse fashion brands, premium brands and luxury brands. One reason that leads to this confusion is high pricing. It is often perceived that an item of high price is a luxury brand, which is not the case. Dior is a fashion brand, BMW is a premium brand that uses the luxury strategies, and Maserati is a luxury brand just like Chanel. It is essential to understand what defines a luxury product and service to be able to develop these objects or to understand the luxury consumers who are constantly increasing globally.

 

The luxury universe

What laws govern the luxury universe? Luxury is an expression of a taste; sophistication, craftsman- ship and quality. Hence the reason that certain indi- viduals will purchase a Hermès bag of USD20,000 instead of a cheaper bag from a different brand. This is because by purchasing that object, the individual enters the Hermès universe, its heritage and knows it. Hermes is company of the finest quality (from its calfskin, crocodile, alligator and ostrich skins), and understated luxury with no heavy logos. Only a keen eye can identify certain Hermès products.

 

Luxury is not concerned with its competitor. Its brands or services are not positioned. Luxury is not comparative. Positioning is the heart of consumer marketing which is conveyed through price, distri- bution and communication. In luxury, businesses are complementary. When you purchase an item from one luxury store and you go to the next store, the staff finds a luxury item to complement the purchase you made from the previous store. That is the reason luxury boutiques are next to each other as seen in Champs Elysees Street in Paris.

 

Luxury does not respond to rising demand as it is not a business of volumes. “A luxury brand must have far more people who know it and dream of it, than people who buy it,” says Jean-Noel Kapferer, a Luxury Professor at HEC School of Management. In luxury, prices are increased and sales are never done.

 

Sales and adopting strategies to accommodate a rise in demand is familiar in fast moving con- sumer goods. In luxury, the rule of rarity applies. Rarity increases the value. Ferrari strives to keep its production at less than 6,000 vehicles a year.

 

Maison Hermès (the house of Her-mès) is known for using waiting lists to purchase its beautifully crafted leather bags such as the Kelly bag. Bottega Veneta produces a limited number of 100 bags of one of its lines of crocodile bags that retail for 60,000 euros, which are usually purchased immediately by the luxury consumers. In beauty, La Prairie is one of the most established luxury products known for its caviar collection.

 

Responding to demand drops your brand to a premium or fashion brand, and going back to the status of luxury is almost impossible. Mercedes Benz was a luxury brand, until it decided to re- spond to volumes by producing the A class, B class and purchasing the Chrysler. These were business errors that led it to becoming a premium brand. Though in markets such as China, Brazil, and in Africa it is perceived as a luxury brand.

 

Telling the luxury story

Communication is important in luxury. It increases the brand value hence the valuation of the LV brand by Millward Brown as earlier stated. Advertising is used to tell a story and share heritage. The famous Cartier advertisement known as Odysee de Cartier, used a panther to show- case the history of Cartier, heritage, and markets it was sharing its heritage with. The panther journeys through France, China, Russia, India and back home to France. The budget for this three and a half minute commercial was USD5.3 million.

 

In luxury, prices are increased. In 2013, Louis Vuitton increased its prices twice in one year. This is to attract more high end customers, especially from China. Clients who know your luxury good or service will come to you; luxury does not chase its clients. They know the value of the luxury. That is why, even when there is a recession, luxury is unaffected, and it is recession proof.

 

In Africa, different markets have different strengths defined by location and popu- lation amongst other drivers. Countries such as Kenya, that gains foreign exchange from tourism, has the opportunity to establish hotels that cater for the ultra and high networth clients, by offering luxury experiences in an extremely luxury setting. Luxury hotels can be a source of revenue from countries known for luxury retail consumers such as China, Russia, Japan, and others where products of the highest quality can be located from Ruinart champagne, Beluga caviar, encompassed with the use of very high quality African products at a price that is different from the rest of the hotels. There are hotels in Kenya pursuing this strategy and there is the opportunity for even more to capture this space, where customer is King or Queen.

 

Paris has managed to establish this successfully and the hotel George V is known to be the leading hotel in the world for luxury customer service. A room costs from USD1,200 per night and higher, but clients are comfortable to pay this cost for a luxuri- ous experience, where they are recognised and their needs well known

 

 Source:http://businessdayonline.com/2014/06/creme-de-la-creme-managing-luxury-brands/#.U6vvMcKTdjq

 

 

Paulina says: This is the first time I'm hearing about the MINT countries, which is made up of: Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey.... I'm really impressed and pleased for our brothers to the east --Nigeria.

Ghana's Black Gold: “Insider Dealings”

Title: Ghana’s nascent oil sector suffers credibility blow
Dated:

Two officials of Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum are at the centre of what has been described as “insider dealings” in the award of contracts in the oil and gas industry following the alleged forging of the signature of the Minister of Energy and Petroleum by an employee of Miura Petroleum, an oil firm claiming the right of first negotiation over the Offshore Cape Three Points South (OCTPS) block in Ghana.

 

According to Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), an energy policy think-tank, the recent forgery has exposed Ghana to international ridicule. 

 

Miura Petroleum, in conjunction with its parent company Gondwana Oil Corporation, had recently stated that its assets in Ghana included the right to the offshore block about which it had begun negotiations with the government of Ghana. However, in a press release by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Miura has been accused of forgery in connection with the award letter and signature of the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, and denied ever awarding the right of first negotiation to Miura.

 

Miura was the company originally awarded the right and has already bagged in US$1.5 million having sold majority shares to Gondwana. This means that Miura has already made a financial gain in respect of the transaction.

 

ACEP  is also concerned that many other companies around the world may be holding letters with forged signatures allegedly from Ghana and taking advantage of Ghana’s oil and gas industry to make money.

 

Gondwana Oil Corp has recently listed on the Canadian stock exchange to mobilise funds for its operations. The controversy, if proven, exposes other companies holding Petroleum Agreements from Ghana to serious risks in the international capital market. It is also alleged that Gondwana used the forged letter in its Listing statement to the Canadian Stock Exchange.

 

ACEP recently cited Miura Petroleum’s claim to assets offshore Ghana as example of Ghana “giving away” juicy blocks to inexperienced and questionable oil companies and called for a moratorium on further licensing until the new Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Bill was passed.

 

“We strongly believe that the secrecy surrounding oil deals in Ghana is largely responsible for this alleged forgery and criminality. It is, therefore, no longer an option but a necessity for Ghana to adopt an open and competitive process for granting oil and gas concessions. Parliament must also invite public comments before approving Petroleum Agreements”, said ACEP.

 

The centre therefore called on the government to award oil blocks to companies that had the financial muscle to finance the huge capital operations in the oil industry seriously.

Source: http://businessdayonline.com/2014/04/ghanas-nascent-oil-sector-suffers-credibility-blow/#.U6vf6MKTdjo


Paulina say: One step forward, fifty steps backwards, two steps forward, fifty one steps backwards, three steps forward, fifty two steps backwards. Loose credibility.

Four steps forward, fifty three steps backwards, five steps forward, fifty four steps backwards. Loose investments.

Six steps forward, fifty five steps backwards. Loose face. Seven steps forward, fifty six steps backwards. Isolation.

Eight steps forward, fifty seven steps backwards. Descend into hell. Nine steps forward, fifty eight steps backwards. Bypass Hades into oblivion!!!!

Investment: Land Equity Group plans expansion into Ghana....

Title: Investor confidence rises as Land Equity Group plans expansion into Nigeria & Ghana....
Dated: 3rd June 2014

Investors’ confidence in the economy of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has continued to grow with Land Equity Group, a South African equity finance and development company, planning to expand into Nigeria and Ghana in the third quarter (Q3) of 2014.

 

This move, the company explains, will incorporate their real estate knowledge, development skills, experience and access to funding, adding that SSA is a new frontier market for them and they look forward to taking up the challenge.

 

Stuart Chait, executive chairman, Land Equity Group, said in a statement that they were approaching the opportunities one at a time, tying up joint ventures with strong and committed local partners, and bringing their development and capital raising skills to the table.

 

“We’ve sourced the top African real estate advisory team, and we’re now finalising a ground-based development management team,” he disclosed.

 

Land Equity has already landed three retail projects in Nigeria, funded with institutional money, and has another five projects in the pipeline. The company, a privately-held property investment, development and private equity company started in 2008 by Chait and Russell Smith, has in-house expertise covering all facets of the real-estate industry with strong presence in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

 

The group is seeking joint venture partners for its drive into Nigeria and Ghana, including local and national government. Its expertise covers property investment, property asset management, property finance and risk management, retail, commercial and industrial property development, commercial, residential and retail township development, redevelopment of retail, commercial and industrial property, among others.

 

Chait disclosed further that their big drive in Nigeria would be decentralised and large mixed-use projects, which is where their experience lies.

 

”My inclination is that both Lagos and Abuja need urban space that works. Ergonomic ‘people-friendly’ buildings and campuses as well as careful long-term planning, new utilities, de-congested traffic, and a world-class development designed for diverse functions. In Ghana, we’ll be focusing on a number of convenience centres, industrial distribution centres, as well as large mixed-use projects,” he said.

 

A property entrepreneur, Chait has been behind some of South Africa’s largest privately-held property businesses, having co-founded Mvelaphanda Property Development Holdings in 2001, the first and largest Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) property company, with BEE billionaire Tokyo Sexwale.

Source: http://businessdayonline.com/2014/06/investor-confidence-rises-as-land-equity-group-plans-expansion-into-nigeria-ghana/#.U6vdBcKTdjo

Beasts of No Nation: Ghana's FA & Government send plane with $3million cash to Black Strar players in Brazil

Title: Ghana Soccer Stars Await $3 Million Plane Before Key Match
Dated: 25th June 2014

Ghana’s Black Stars soccer team were awaiting the arrival of a plane with $3 million promised by the government as compensation for playing in the World Cup in Brazil, in the run-up to a match that may send them home.

The team is focused on the game against Portugal tomorrow, which they must win in order to have a chance to qualify for the tournament’s knockout stages, coach James Kwesi Appiah told reporters in Brasilia. Appiah said he hoped the money issue would be resolved within a few hours. Sannie Daara, spokesman for the Ghana Football Association, couldn’t immediately be reached to confirm whether the plane had landed.

“This is a situation that had to be sorted out before the competition,” Appiah said. “It’s hard to have this situation and having to tell the players each day that the money will come. But our players are dedicated and they are focused only on the game tomorrow against Portugal.”

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama contacted the team and the arrangements for payment were made afterward, the association said in a statement on its website earlier today. The players requested the money in cash because many of them don’t have bank accounts in Ghana, Appiah said.

 

 

President Intervenes

Ghana’s team, which includes Sulley Muntari of AC Milan and Kevin-Prince Boateng of FC Schalke, has played two matches so far in the tournament, losing 2-1 to the U.S. and drawing 2-2 with Germany. They play their final first-round match against Portugal tomorrow and need to win to have any chance of progressing. The Black Stars were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay in the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

“President Mahama waded into the matter after agitation from the Black Stars players,” the association said. “President Mahama personally spoke to the players to assure them the money will be paid by Wednesday afternoon.”

FIFA worked with the Ghanaian association and the players to resolve the situation, Delia Fischer, a spokeswoman, told reporters in Rio de Janeiro today. Soccer’s governing body doesn’t like to see this kind of problem, which has happened in past tournaments, she said. She declined to say more and referred questions to the Ghanaian team.

Fixing Allegation

The football association may find it hard to move such a large amount of money into Brazil suddenly if it doesn’t have the necessary clearance from customs or import permits from a central bank, said Ion De Vleeschauwer, chief dealer at Bidvest Bank in Johannesburg. Bidvest is the biggest chain of money changers in South Africa.

“At the drop of a hat, to bring in $3 million in cash, it might get you into a spot of bother,” he said. “I don’t think the Brazilians will confiscate it but they just may not allow it to be released.”

The money would need to be declared to Brazil’s tax authorities, though it wouldn’t be subject to any duties on arrival in the country if correctly reported, the tax collection agency said in an e-mailed response to questions.

It’s not the first off-field problem to disrupt Ghana’s World Cup. The football association has asked police to investigate claims reported by the London-based Daily Telegraph that the association’s president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, had agreed to fix future international exhibition matches. The association has denied the report.

Back at home, Mahama has taken steps to ensure that the broadcasts of Black Stars games aren’t disrupted by regular blackouts. The government has asked its aluminum smelter to cut power usage during the World Cup and will buy additional electricity from neighbor Ivory Coast to ensure that Black Stars games can be shown live.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-25/ghana-sends-plane-with-3-million-to-calm-world-cup-team-1-.html





Paulina says: While our boys, Ghana's Black Stars are playing their hearts out in Brazil's sweltering heat, --the nation's FA, which appears to be as corrupt as its government, has come under burning hot fire for its shameful practises -i.e taking bribes -and getting caught on camera doing sooo (please google and watch video)...the shame!!!

Further shameful goings on................as yesterday, a plane was dispatched from Ghana to Brazil carrying $3 Million for our boys -because they've been owed appearance fees since the start of this World Cup tournament --can you Adam & Eve it??????? Physical, physical monies crossing  international boarders in 2014..............we are still BUSH PEOPLE -no?

With no mention/ talk of banks, or bank accounts, or money transfers or what-have-yousss -----the world now knows what most of us have known for the longest time; -the crass way, -some still do business in Ghana!!! Plus our Ghana's government is slowly but surely exposing it selves; exposing its uneducated ways, its corrupt nature, ---revelling to the world ---the messy jagger-jagger way it goes about things --and the limitations endured by ordinary Ghanaians on a daily basis; very telling, very sloppy and uber shameful -me thinks....

Note, the shame of carrying millions in cash jagger-jagger styleee to our boys via a plane means that 'Ghana' spent most of yesterday as the butt of many-a-global-jokes, --and worse still, there was no regard for the safety of our players or their family members in Brazil!!! How will they carry all that money? In laundry bags???????

I'm wondering.........if some of the players don't have bank accounts in Ghana -do they have bank accounts in Brazil? Nonsense!!!

Also, couldn't Ghana's FA & government have waited for said World Cup tournament to finish then personally credit/transfer the monies to players accounts around the globe?????

Or could it be that our nations football team got fed-up of waiting, and many more just don't trust Ghana's FA [and government] to send said monies ---fearing it would disappear into spiritual thin air ---or some dodgy 'bank' account somewhere-over-the-rainbow!!!!!!!!!!!

Anywayssssssss......God Bless our boys who play Portugal this afternoon --we are behind you 100 per cent...
 

Virgil Abloh for Style.com

Post title: Mamo Moment: Virgil Abloh on an Italian Eatery in Antibes.....

Last night, I had the fortunate experience of eating at Le Michelangelo Mamo. After a long flight in from São Paulo, all I could think about was food. Cannes has gems, but none that compare to this spot. “Truffles over everything” could have been the motto. The truffle pizza, the pasta. Unreal.


Yes its Kim's mother...........................


 It’s summer, so rosé and friends are all you need for a spot like this. Now that the search for the perfect Italian spot in Southern France is over, the traveling continues…For more information, visit www.michelangelo-mamo.com.


Paulina says: The insider of all insiders, Virgil Abloh's blog for website du jour --Style.com, is riveting, and for celeb watchers --an eye opener!!!

Lifestyle, food, culture, -Virgil Abloh's blog has it all but my ab fave is his incredible travels ---which are chronicled just the way we like it, one-fab-bite-after-another, I promise, -you will not be disappointed.

Note, Virg takes in London city, Paris et al, moving and shaking with some of the most ermmmm interesting peoplesss on the planet --making his blog an absolute must read...

To read the above piece in its entirety and a host of other articles visit Virgil Abloh's blog for Style.com via: http://www.style.com/stylemap/author/virgilabloh/


More info
Virgil Abloh is a Chicago-born creative director, architect, and fashion designer. After earning a degree in civil engineering and a master's in architecture, Abloh soon took on the role as a creative director for Kanye West and West's creative think tank, Donda. Over the years, Abloh has worked with Silvia Venturini Fendi at Fendi and collaborated with the likes of Nick Knight, Riccardo Tisci, Kim Jones, Takashi Murakami, Balmain's Olivier Rousteing, Giuseppe Zanotti, and George Condo. Abloh's Off-White was born from an art project, Pyrex Vision, and today exists as Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh, a seasonal men's and women's ready-to-wear collection. The brand also boasts a furniture range and periodic forays into product design. Photo: Courtesy of Virgil Abloh

Good things take time!!!

 

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all the things they did right."

 

Luxe Beauty: Estee Lauder eyes up Africa

Title: Estee Lauder Eyes Buoyant Cosmetics Demand in Africa.
Dated: 31 -July- 2013


JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Estee Lauder plans to expand its presence in sub-Saharan Africa by rolling out its $1 billion brands, Clinique and MAC, to tap into strong demand for luxury cosmetics among the region’s middle class, a company executive said on Wednesday.

The high-end cosmetics company will introduce Clinique, its second biggest brand with sales over $1 billion, in Nigeria this year and in Mozambique in the near future, Sue Fox, Estee Lauder’s managing director for sub-Saharan Africa, told Reuters in an interview.

It launched MAC makeup in Nigeria’s largest city Lagos in February after being “inundated” with requests and will be opening another store there within weeks, Fox said.

“There’s massive interest from the consumers there in international brands,” she said. “We’re very excited about the potential of MAC in Nigeria. That’s led us to pursue a strategy with MAC that will ensure that we’re able to bring the brand to consumers in other markets.”

The company has earmarked a second new market for MAC, its third biggest brand, this year and another two or three in 2014, adding to new partner stores in Botswana and Zambia.

It is also about to enter Cote d’Ivoire for the first time with fragrances, currently its biggest category in Africa. Estee Lauder’s partners in designer fragrances include Tom Ford, Michael Kors Holdings Ltd and Coach Inc.

Fox said Estee Lauder views sub-Saharan Africa as “a long-term build,” citing its youthful population, brisk economic growth and urbanization. The region, with the exception of South Africa, is its newest market.

“The potential of Africa, we believe, is extremely positive and we wouldn’t be entering unless we believe that there was long term sustainable growth,” she said.

“Our target consumer is the emerging middle class, the established middle class and that affluent African consumer who’s probably extremely well traveled and very brand savvy.”

However, the main hurdle to the company’s growth in Africa is the lack of retail infrastructure outside South Africa.

“We would probably be going a lot faster if there was the availability of retail space,” Fox said. “The concept of department stores doesn’t really exist outside of South Africa. I think there are great opportunities for retailers and for mall developers in sub-Saharan Africa. Brands want to be there.”

Estee Lauder is focusing on cities with the biggest growth potential, said Fox, and has identified key locations such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in Nigeria, as well as the capitals of Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Angola.


Source: http://www.businessoffashion.com/2013/07/estee-lauder-eyes-buoyant-cosmetics-demand-in-africa.html

World Cup Fever: Rihanna eyes up Kevin Prince Boateng.....

Title: Singer Rihanna Crushes On Ghanaian Footballer, Kevin-Prince Boateng   

Rihanna has her eyes on a new man and he’s proudly African. Ghanaian to be precise. During the Ghana/USA world cup match last night(2-1 in favour of USA), she was team Ghana after spotting 27 year old footballer, Kevin-Prince Boateng on the pitch..


“Da Bae doe! I might have to be team Ghana on this one idc idc idc”


Too bad the one time married star now has a fiancée and they just welcomed a son.. Sorry Riri Full tweet below…





Source: http://www.clemmag.com/singer-rihanna-crushes-ghanaian-footballerkevin-prince-boateng/

Paulina says: What can I say, nothing new here ---young and old, male and female have been eyeing up our Kevin Prince Boateng since the last World Cup in 2010 -- and now songstress Rihanna!!!!! Join the queue RiRi....

Congratulations to Kevin Prince Boateng and partner on the safe arrival of their baby boy... God Bless you & your family!!!

 

World Cup Fever..........................USA 2 - GHANA 1

Paulina says: Omgooooooodness.....................what happened in that game against USA??? Still finding it uber difficult to shake it off -aren't you? Its times like this when I feel like I love Ghana ---toooo much, I might need deliverance.

Last night was crazy ---after sitting with my heart in my mouth until the 81st-minute for our Andre Ayew’s equalizer only to have the USA snatch it away from us (again), ---I found myself beyond tired (and sad) --and sending a couple of tweets --to USA comedian ellen degeneres --who felt the need to tweet the following ignorant comment:


　
"Go USA! Fastest goal in U.S World Cup History in the #USAvsGhana game. 32 seconds! It took me longer to look up where Ghana is."
***I was beyond disappointed!!!!!!!! I couldn't quiet get my head around a mega celebrity of degeneres' stature, taking delight in not being educated enough to know where our Ghana is situated -when we have beaten her very 'own' USA in 2006 and 2010!!!!

How can ellen degeneres be sooo proud of having a limited 'American' education, -makes you really wonder!!!

Anyway if you're wondering what I tweeted -its as follows --and I have to clap for myself for my Christian restraint, I could have gone very low-down-and-dirty-bypassing-hell-and-going-to-Hades-to bring-up-bile but I didn't.
"Dear Ellen DeGeneres -Ghana is a fabulous country --situated in the West of Africa.. Why not go back 2 school & get some education. #USAvGHA #WorldCup"

　

If 95% of Americans can't find Ghana on a map --something is wrong. USA must not be proud of this... #USAvGHA #WorldCup"


**I must state, with many of us feeling like ellen degeneres crossed the line with her ignorance -the huge backlash means she later deleted the nonsense but is yet to issue an apology. I'm now totally off her.

Still we have another opportunity to change things in this World Cup!!! -Our boys play Germany on the Saturday 21st June 2014 at 20:00 on BBC1..... |And as we continue to pray and support our boys ---I would like to see less of those juju men in the audience!!!!  

Luxe Leisure: Resense Spa Accra, Ghana

The new Resense Spa will span three floors at the Kempinski in Accra

Resense Spa

Accra, Ghana Opening: Q3 2013

Spa consultancy and contract management firm Resense Spa SA is to launch a new branded portfolio of full-service spas, with the opening of its first Resense Spa at The Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana, this August.

The 269-bed resort will be located near the Accra International Conference Centre, State House and National Theatre – attracting both business and leisure travellers, while the spa itself will be open to hotel guests, the day spa market and members.

The Resense Spa and 670sq m (7,211sq ft) health club will span 3,000sq m (32,291sq ft) over three floors, with a 25m (82ft) outdoor pool, yoga studios and four tennis courts.

On entering the Resense Spa, guests will be greeted by a health concierge in the Open Lounge, and provided with a designer robe, before being escorted to The Private Lounge to relax and socialise.

A key experience will be The Resense Bathing Kur – an 11-step spa journey to fully cleanse and revitalise the body, before culminating in a soap massage and relaxation time in the Slumber Suite.

Guests can also enjoy Inviion-supplied wet areas equipped with a hammam, and six single treatment suites, two double treatments suites, two scrub rooms and two Resense Slumber Suites, in addition to Resense’s Open and Private Lounges, a dining lounge, and a beauty salon offering hairdressing services.

The treatment menu will utilise the luxury Thémaé, Paris product line based on the natural healing benefits of tea.Architects Looney & Associates based its design on a reinterpretation of classical baroque and modern European styles to create a colourful area, finished in rich natural tones, stone, wood and gold mosaics.

Resense Spas will open in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the Cairo Royal Luxum hotel in Egypt later in 2013, and in Beirut in 2014.Resense Spa SA was founded in 2009 as a joint venture between international hotel management group Kempinski Hotels SA and spa consultancy Raison d’Etre.

The company’s portfolio of 39 spas encompasses two separate brands – 15 existing Kempinski The Spa facilities located in 14 countries and the four new Resense Spas.

The Resense Spa will be in selected hotels or as standalone spas, while Kempinski The Spa is a flexible concept located exclusively within Kempinski hotels. 

Source: http://www.spahandbook.com/detail.cfm?pagetype=featuresonline&featureid=28161&mag=Spa%20Business%20Handbook&linktype=story

Paulina says: Very excited the new Resense Spa at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City- Accra Ghana will span three floors ---I can't wait.

 

Fashion & Business: Sunglass Hut and Mango to open branches in Ghana...

Title: Sunglass Hut, Mango Among Global Retailers Set to Open in Ghana   --
Dated: 3 June, 2014

 JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — International retailers including Sunglass Hut International Inc. and Spanish clothing chain Mango have signed leases to open branches in Ghana, seeking to take advantage of rising consumer spending in Africa.

“We are also in talks with other various international retailers to take up space in Ghana,” Vicus Bouwer, a leasing manager at Johannesburg-based Broll Property Group, said by phone from the west African country. He declined to name companies that haven’t yet signed leases. Sunglass Hut, owned by Milan-based Luxottica Group SpA, operates in 12 countries including South Africa, according to its website.

South African retailers such as Woolworths Holdings Ltd. and Truworths International Ltd. are already expanding in Ghana and other sub-Saharan countries to offset a domestic economy that contracted in the first three months of this year. Broll said in November that developers will more than double the amount of retail space available in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, within two years, pushing down prices.

Northern-hemisphere fashion stores have been extending their networks into Africa, Australia and other new markets, as consumer spending has benefited from buoyant mining investment.
Broll’s Ghana unit, the nation’s largest property manager, is managing and leasing West Hills mall, which opens in November. It also manages space at the capital’s Accra Mall.

By Neo Khanyile with assistance from Janice Kew; Editors: Celeste Perri, John Bowker, David Risser.


Source: http://www.businessoffashion.com/2014/06/sunglass-hut-mango-among-global-retailers-set-open-ghana.html


Paulina says: Absolutely fabulous news!!!!! Ghanaians are fed up with excess duty and shipping stuff back home -just the costs and waiting alone is enough to put shopaholics off --thus, we are beyond excited at this news..

Photography: Ofoe Amegavie

 

Paulina says: Avid readers of Ghana Rising will be well aware that I started this Blog journey way back in 2009 -and I can now boast that with regards to fashion, beauty and photography --the crea-8-tives back home have grown and improved and some are way ahead of the pack, like Ofoe Amegavie...

Accra based Ofoe Amegavie's work has probably had the biggest metamorphosis, reinventing -and maturing from mere wedding photographer, to bonafide on-trend fashion /beauty/ still-life and portrait photographer -who is unafraid to experiment, play with lighting and the biggest test of all ---allow other creatives to do their thing, -resulting in some fabulous collaborations and incredible images with some of Ghana's best make-up artists and fashion & hair stylists...

In a country where photographers are sustained by weddings, Ofoe Amegavie's brave, pioneering, experimental verve, means he has matured from pedestrian, same ole, same ole cluttered -lets get everything in, harsh lighting, bad styling --in to: clean, organic, light, breathable --pared down confident photographer; ---a real testament to his willingness to learn, tenacity and a new eye for detail.

I'm truly loving Ofoe Amegavie's work, and feel that if he continues to think quality, exercise restraint, edit, dares to use real models (no compromise), good MUA's, hair & high fashion stylists et al; and not armatures who feel they have to cram everything into one shoot/photo, -then I see a very a bright future ahead for this maverick. For more info or to book Ofoe Amegavie visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photography-by-Ofoe-Amegavie/170089476397276

 

"When you are down to nothing, God is up to something."

 

Sometimes the strongest among us are the ones who smile through silent pain, cry behind closed doors and fight battles nobody knows about.” – Unknown

 

Make-Up Artist: Contours by Valerie Lawson

Paulina says: Ever wondered who the likes of Ghanaian fashion power house Christie Brown and fab Accra based photographer Amfo Connolly call on to do their make-up? Wonder no more, new celebrity fave make-up artist Valerie Lawson is the go-to uber MUA for Accra's haute young things -and I'm not surprised, she's fab.

Part of a new breed of crea-8-tives in Ghana who understand, clean, pared-down chic ---Valerie Lawson, like her Western counterparts --knows how to 'do' high-fashion natural without falling into the ubiquitous African-jagger-jagger-clown-territory-thingy (mercy). Ms Lawson also knows how to give Ghana's society brides their 'dream' make-up for their chichi weddings.

Personally I am beyond impressed and excited again-ish (its been sooo long since I was truly moved by anything coming out of Ghana) -and see a very bright future for La Lawson.
If you have an upcoming wedding, 'big' girls night out, dinner date, red carpet event et al ---do take a look through Valerie Lawson's Contours facebook fan page and contact her via: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Contours/623392764352524

 

Object of Desire: Butterfly T-Shirt by Mina Evans

Price upon Application

Paulina says: Since launching her first collection in 2009, Accra based fashion designer Mina Evans has grown from strength to strength. I'm loving her more confident, grown-up experimental pieces beloved by Ghanaian celebrities including: songstresses Efya, Deborah Vanessa & Becca, TV presenters Christal Beeko, Sandra Ankobiah & Anita Erskine, mover & shaker -Ellen Hagan and Ghana's premier fashion stylist --Afua Rida of House of Cramer fame.

 

One of a handful of celebrated Africa based fashion designers, -Mina Evans now boasts fan throughout the continent including: 'It' girl, Nigerian actress and Studio 53 hostess -Eku Edewor, Nigerian director, producer and writer --Gbemi Phillips and Ghana Rising fave, Johannesburg based, Ivorian luxury lifestyle maven -Swaady Martin - Leke of YSWARA fame (see past post).. For more info or to purchase one of the above gorgeous butterfly t-shirts by Mina Evans visit: http://www.minaevansonline.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MinaEvans

 

Objects of Desire: Bespoke Jewellery by Ahenze Accessories

 

 

"Ahenze accessories a brand name for jewelleries and accessories handmade in Ghana. We have a modern shop that showcases the finest jewelleries made in wooden beads, glass beads, ceramic bead, quality plastic beads, pearls and canes from around the world." Ahenze Accessories
 
Paulina says: I'm loving the above gorgeous handmade pieces by Ahenze Accessories, especially the delectable yellow set. For more info or to purchase any of the above visit Ahenze Accessories via: http://www.ahenze.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ahenze-accessories/262565807215280
 

Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu urges Ghanafuo to clean up before the rain comes....

"We are entering the rainy season and there are floods in most parts of Ghana. One of the main reasons for these floods is our poor sewage system and throwing of rubbish into gutters and our surroundings... @sisterdeborah urges you on to start cleaning your community and surroundings now before the rains come." Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu(https://www.facebook.com/deborahvanessa007)


Image/Text: Gh one (https://www.facebook.com/GhOneEntertainment)


Paulina says: Very proud of Ghana Rising fave, Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu aka Sister Deborah for this sound initiative and wisdom.

Only just stumbled upon these words of wisdom ---way after seeing photos of the floods in our sweet homeland Ghana, -I only wished I had posted this earlier -as I'm firmly behind this massage...

In fact we (Ghanaians) don't have to wait until just before the rainy season -the streets of Ghana must be kept clean at all times.... So let Deborah Vanessa inspire you, get out there in your community and make a difference. Kudos Deborah Vanessa!!!

King Otumfo Osei Tutu II is named 5th richest monarch in Africa....

Title: The 5 Richest Kings In Africa


Africa may be full of democratically governed countries, but it is still the land of many kings. Sure, there are only three African countries with constitutional monarchies – Morocco, Swaziland and Lesotho — but there are several hundred traditional monarchs dispersed across Africa in urban, semi-urban and rural communities in independent countries. Mostly, these monarchs wield little or no formal political power, but they fulfil spiritual and ceremonial obligations to members of their community.

Being a traditional monarch in Africa can be a lucrative affair. A significant number of these rulers are formally recognized by state institutions and as a consequence, many of them receive generous stipends and allowances from the government. For example, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, the traditional King of the Zulu people, South Africa’s largest ethnic tribe, receives an annual allowance of about $6 million to cater to the needs of his royal household. He also gets to enjoy other perks like frequent private air travel and keeps an exotic collection of automobiles, all paid for by South Africa’s taxpayers.

Many African monarchs also earn a significant income through the goodwill and generosity of their communities. It is not uncommon for wealthy members of a tribe or community to give substantial sums of money, cars, land or houses to their traditional Kings in return for spiritual blessings or unrelated favors. And since these traditional monarchs may wield significant influence in political circles, some of them get invited join boards of large corporations. Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi (King) of Onitsha, a mid-sized commercial town in Nigeria’s southeastern region, serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of Unilever Nigeria, a large publicly-listed manufacturer of consumer goods, and he previously served as Chairman of Diamond Bank, a leading Nigerian commercial bank. Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who is the Alake (King) of Egbaland, a clan of Yoruba-speaking people in Nigeria, is the Chairman of Oando, a large Nigerian energy company.

Some of these rulers control large fortunes. Some have built their fortunes from scratch by starting successful enterprises and shrewdly reinvesting their profits into a diverse range of business concerns. Others have simply had wealth transferred to them by their forefathers.

 

Who are the wealthiest Kings in Africa? I spent quite a bit of time trying to find out.  In doing the research for this list, I excluded wealth held or controlled by rulers in trust for their nation or territory. Meet the 5 richest Kings in Africa.


Number 5
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ashanti, Ghana
Estimated net worth: $10 million
Source: Mining Equipment, Property, Jewelry

 

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the King of Ghana’s gold-rich Ashanti kingdom, home to the country’s largest ethnic group, the Asantes. He ascended the throne in 1999 and serves as the political and spiritual head of the Asante people. After studying in the United Kingdom, Osei Tutu II worked briefly in private and public organizations in the United Kingdom and Canada before returning to Ghana in 1989 to set up Transpomech Ghana, a $12 million (sales) company that provides mining equipment to several large industrial companies in Ghana. The King also owns extensive real estate in Ghana and South Africa as well as a collection of valuable gold crown jewels.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2014/06/03/the-5-richest-kings-in-africa/



Paulina says: Once again Ghanaian subtlety has won and the truth remains hidden from the world!!!

Just finished reading the above piece and I'm left wondering ----who are they talking about??? Surly they're not talking about the enterprising friend of late president Gaddafi or the new BFF of uber gold miner turned politician, Bernard Antwi Boasiako?????

If Forbes are in-deed-y talking about King Otumfo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene of the Ashanti world, then I thinks said figure is -uber conservative don't you?

Anywayssss, I've dropped a hint to Forbes above --but really, Forbes needs to give up on Ghanaian this and thats --because they will never find them!!!! Ghanaians simply don't talk or celebrate wealth the way other African nations do!!!  Because....... even though Ghanaians enjoy all the fine trappings of wealth, they would rather die than let you see it, apparently its far toooooooooo vulgar for the former British colony.

Nope, Ghanaians would rather make several trips a year to the likes of Dubai, London, NYC and (now) Paris to spend Ghana's GDP...sorry, their 'own' monies then drag 10 or 15 shopping bags around Marina Mall, Accra.

!Why don't they spend their monies back home in Ghana -you ask? You mean to boost Ghana's failing economy -say??? Why should they? They are rich and rich people do rich people thingssss -don't ya know???

Anywayssss,  'perfect  envy', 'perfect greed, perfect hatred, fear of cras -si--ni--sem, arm robbers and bloodc****t --means Ghana's uber rich/high net worth individuals will continue to stay hidden -forever!!!

Do visit:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2014/06/03/the-5-richest-kings-in-africa/ to read the full article....
 

Sarkodie wins Best Hip Hop award at 2014 MAMAs...............

Ghana's Sarkodie & 'Adorn' singer Miguel fooling around with that award.....

"Teamsark I looove you!!!! Thanks 2 God almighty!!! We won!!!! GHANA!!! Thanks for ur vote . God bless yall." Sarkodie via Twitter

Paulina says: Congratulations to Sarkodie for winning the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards' Best Hip Hop’ artist. Loving the above photo of Sarkodie and singer Miguel fooling around with his award... Hope Miguel is coming to Ghana -soon!!!  .....For more info visit: http://www.sarkcollection.com/
https://twitter.com/sarkodie

Black Gold: Pan Andean Resources Limited to sue Ghana Government........

Title: The Scramble For Ghana’s Oil Blocks
Dated: 27 May 2014

…It Is Simply Messy
Even before the Government manages to pull itself out of the Miura Petroleum block scandal with all the ‘forged’ signatures, another scandal in the oil industry has popped up and this time round it is even messier.

An oil company by name Pan Andean Resources Limited is getting ready to take on the Ghana Government for breach of contract.

Indeed the company procured an Accra High Court injunction on March 27, 2014, to stay any further action on a license proposal that the Ghana Parliament is alleged to have approved in favor of Camac Energy Ghana Limited.

But reports reaching us say that Ghana Government and Camac Energy appear to have ignored the High Court Injunction and are proceeding with more actions on the transaction. On May 16, 2014 Camac Energy announced its new Petroleum Agreement with Ghana Government, proclaiming its acquisition of 1508 square kilometers of acreage water on the Tano block.

Pan Andean Resources contends that it signed a Petroleum Agreement with the Ghana Government for 1,532km2 onshore/shallow offshore on the Tano 2A block. The company says it is actually the second time it had signed the Petroleum Agreement on the same block because an earlier one they singed in 2008 was revised after the new Government took over.

Pan Andean says since 2010 it has invested Two Million Pounds in purchasing seismic and other data from GNPC and worked up leads and prospects on the Block. Unfortunately however on or about the 21st of March 2014, the Ministry of Energy submitted to Ghana’s Parliament a license proposal to take some portion of that same block (Tano 2A) and grant it to Camac Energy Ghana Limited and the proposal was approved.

It says what is intriguing is that on March 26, 2014 Camac Energy which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced that it had acquired “60 per cent interest” in a new Ghanaian Oil Block but on April 22, 2014 Camac Energy again announced that it actually owned only 30 per cent of the new block and that the rest of the shares are held by a subsidiary of the company but did not mention the shareholders or where the subsidiary is based.

Pan Andean Resources Limited says this purported action by the Ghana Government is clearly in breach of their existing Petroleum Agreement which remains valid as confirmed by correspondence from the Ministry of Energy dated March 4, 2014 and dispatched by the Ministry of Energy to Pan Andean Resources Limited on March 27, 2014.

As a result of these actions by the Ministry of Energy and the GNPC a writ was submitted on March 27, 2014 and an interlocutory injunction was put in place as of April 7, 2014 against GNPC and the Ghana Government.

Pan Andean Resources say they are deeply concerned not only for their own shareholders but also for the betterment of Ghana as this process has clearly breached all levels of transparency, accountability, rule of law that Ghana espouses to.

Source: http://vibeghana.com/2014/05/27/the-scramble-for-ghanas-oil-blocks/


Paulina says: Has Ghana's errrmmmm government (????) forgotten that the world is watching them? The going's on in Ghana is beyond shameful ---and discouraging.

 

Travel: Fastjet leaves Ghana....

Title: Africa’s Low Cost Airline Fly540 Exits Ghana And Angola Market
Dated: 21-May-2014

Africa’s low cost airline Fly540 has officially stopped its operation in Ghana and Angola in a continent wide restructuring program that will see it concentrate its efforts in its profitable markets in East and Southern Africa.

The budget airline, a subsidiary of FastJet, is said to be considering a $10 million offer from an interest buyer for its Ghanaian operation. I has already sent its employees in the west African country on an administrative leave and flown out its leased planes.

Fastjet interim chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ed Winter, said in a press statement that the company is currently focused on expanding the low cost fastjet network in East and Southern Africa by establishing bases in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa and these plans are progressing well.

“Management has been carefully considering how best to restructure the Fly540 business which we inherited and this is a highly significant and very positive development in that process,’’ Winter said.
‘’fastjet has concluded that, although these countries present very significant long-term opportunities for the fastjet low cost model, in the short term fastjet intends to fully focus on the considerable potential of opportunities in East and Southern Africa.’

Ghana Web reported the as a key part of the restructuring, two group-owned ATR aircraft previously operating in Ghana and Angola have been taken out of service and are currently in the process of being sold.

According to a report in Air Transport World, Fastjet, Africa’s budget carrier with its operating hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, said in a previous statement that the restructuring program is aimed at turning around its loss making Fly540 businesses in Angola and Ghana.
Currently, the Ghana and Angola businesses operate on a legacy airline model. Standard Digital reported that Fastjet believes that although both countries present significant long-term opportunities for its low-cost model, the optimum short-term potential is exploiting growth opportunities in East and Southern Africa.

Source: http://afkinsider.com/57085/africas-low-cost-airline-fly540-exits-ghana-angola-market/