GREATER ACCRA, GHANA (www.georgebritton.com) – Ghanaian Afro pop singer-songwriter, Noella Wiyaala, popularly christened Wiyaala has been adjudged as the Ghanaian Artiste of the Year at the maiden edition of the Ghana Arts and Culture Awards (GACA) that was staged at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

The awards ceremony which was scheduled for December 7, 2019 saw the Ghanaian Afropop artiste beating off stiff competition from other Ghanaian musicians who were also nominated for the Artiste Of The Year category. The award was presented by acting President of Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), H.Bessa Simons and was partnered by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts And Culture.

Ghana Arts and Culture Awards seeks to honor and appreciate the forerunners, brands and the current key players who have contributed greatly to the Arts and Culture Industry here in Ghana and beyond. And Wiyaala, through out her career, has been noted for promoting and preserving the Ghanaian cultural identity.

Accepting this remarkable recognition, Wiyaala extended her sincere gratitude to the organizers of the awards ceremony and her fans for rally their support behind her, adding that, this is a sign that she is doing something good and she will be relentless in making Ghana proud.

Wiyaala means ‘the doer’ in the Sissala dialect. She sings in her native language Sissala and Waala dialects spiced up with the English Language. She has attained public renown with her single “Make Me Dance” and her androgynous image. After making her name in reality shows in Accra, she established a solo career in 2013 with the hit single “Rock My Body”, which won her two awards at the 2014 first edition of the All Africa Music Awards, the Most Promising Artiste in Africa and Revelation of The African Continent.

Wiyaala is also associated with UNICEF Ghana and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Ghana in campaigns against child marriage, child poverty, health and sanitation. She headlined the 15th London African Music Festival in London.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently awarded three thousand (3000) entrepreneurs with funds to start and expand their businesses under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP) Business Support Programme.

The NEIP Business Support Program is an initiative by the Government of Ghana under the Ministry of Business Development aimed at assisting Ghanaian businesses with Business Advisory Services and funding to scale up and to create jobs.

After an online application process this year, 12,000 entrepreneurs were selected for training at incubation hubs across the country. The training which lasted for 30 days, equipped applicants with the needed skills to be able to run their businesses. The hubs served as an avenue to understand trainee businesses in terms of their value proposition, product or service innovation, business location, and their financial performance. After the training, the hubs recommended 3,000 entrepreneurs eligible for funding ranging between GHC 10,000 to GHC 100,000.

As part of a partnership between Makeup Ghana and the Ministry of Business Development for the 3rd Edition of the Ghana Makeup Awards, eligible winners were given an opportunity to apply for business support through this programme.

As an industry award, the Ghana Makeup Awards is aimed at fostering excellence, by rewarding and empowering practitioners, brands and retailers in the makeup and beauty industry. Therefore, each year, Makeup Ghana continues to seek partnerships and find opportunities that showcase and grow the businesses of award winners.

Among the recipients were the businesses of five winners of the Ghana Makeup Awards who availed themselves of the opportunity and met all the requirements for the funding.

• BlackCherry Beauty Lounge – Best Editorial Makeup Artist
• Black Secret – Makeup Brand of the Year
• Makeup Product of the Year – Colorbox Cosmetics founded by Stephanie Adu
• Makeup Artist of the Year – Valerie Lawson CEO of CVL Beauty
• Makeup Retailer of the Year, 2nd Edition – Rozay International

The winners expressed sincere gratitude to the government for the support and urged Makeup Ghana to continue to push for future winners of the Ghana Makeup Awards to receive access to bigger opportunities.

About Ghana Makeup Awards
The Ghana Makeup Awards is an industry award for the makeup and beauty industry aimed at fostering excellence, by rewarding and celebrating pioneers, leading professionals and upcoming talent within the industry, as well as businesses and brands that are contributing to economic growth.

Get ready for the 4th Edition of the Ghana Makeup Awards in 2020

ASHAIMAN, GHANA (www.georgebritton.com) - Fashionably punctual, Livingstone Etse Satekla, professionally known for his musicianship as Stonebwoy floats on stage at 1:30am on the dot to entertain patrons who trooped in to see him perform at the Saka Saka Park, Ashaiman. It’s the the Ghanaian Reggae/Ragga & Dancehall artiste 6th consecutive outdoor show, dubbed, Ashaiman To The World Festival (ATTWF), but the set-up and sound was surprisingly advanced. His name and image glistens on screen in a retro font as his full-piece band, The BHIM Band start up, and he appears, as glammed to the smitten and record breaking 100,000 crowd.

Livingstone's intro music, Hero, wasn’t chosen solely for its party-starting funkiness. Having primed us, the multiple awards winning reggae artiste immediately turns the tables and ripples through a set that highlights both his artistry spiced up with activism. In the second category, Stonebwoy has a tendency to fill the gaps between songs with rote, let’s-love-ourselves exhortations. In the first is his uncontestable talent, displayed in fluid runs and a melody, which makes him admirably suited to the playing of his songs.

Throughout the evening, a range of surprise appearances sends raptures through the crowd. BET Hip pop award winner, Sarkodie, enthralls with his street anthem "Bleeding" and Rising star of Ashaiman Larruso garners a similar reaction with Killy Killy, while Quamina MP tipped the atmosphere towards frenzy with Party, Amanfour, and Wiase Ye De, Obrafour, King Promise, Eshun, Strongman Burna blessed the atmosphere with their spectacular sets. The evening’s biggest surprise was reserved for the last stretch; Shatta Wale emerged to the pensive instrumentals of his Only One Man tune and, for a few minutes, two of the continent’s biggest stars dance together, the ecstatic crowd thrilled and stunned at the unexpected union.

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Man of the moment, Stonebwoy, interweaves old and new on Saturday night, with an epic, Reggae/Ragga & Dancehall-filled set, including two released anthems (Shuga featuring Jamaican Super Star, Beenie Man and Ololo featuring Nigeria's Teni). Invoking his distinctive onstage persona, and throughout, Stonebwoy manages to apply a newfound scale to himself and his music, and in doing so, reinforces his position as an unstoppable entity on the brink of another new, exciting chapter. This year's concert, as far as attendance, Sound, Stage Lightening and Crew are concerned, is the biggest outdoor event in Ghana, and Legendary Obrafour made similar confession on stage.

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On stage, it’s evident that Stonebwoy deserves his seat at the top of the Afrobeats, Reggae/Ragge & Dancehall scene. He’s a magnetic performer. Songs such as People Dey, Run Go, Hero and Mama Stories, underpinned by snapping drums and jittery choruses, send feet stomping through the park filled with humongous souls. Elsewhere, the crowds sway as he croons the softer, more melodic offerings of Tuff Seed. With energy at a high point, Stonebwoy brings the curtain down with Wame, the enchanting drums and biographical lyrics leading the crowd into sermon, topping a night that epitomises both his and Reggae/Ragga & Dancehall’s continued ascent into the mainstream.

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Jizzle, Gambia’s number 1 makes history as he fessal stade – filled the stadium for the concert for his album, Finally. It was the most surreal moment for the Gambian music industry, no concert at the stadium from Davido to Chronixx to Movado to even Youssou Ndour has received the type of crowd that Jizzle received on Saturday, November 23rd. This is just a testament of the love and support that Jizzle has received from the beginning of his career till now. Coming from humble beginnings from the community of Bakau, Jerreh Jallow has been on his musical journey for greatness for many years. He was born with a natural musical ability and quality. He employs both exuberance and brainpower to pull off conscious, sweet songs viable in today’s pop-culture. Finally, the album was released three months ago on all digital platforms. Since its release, it has definitely proven to be the hottest album on the streets of the Gambia. There is no taxi, shop, or community that you go into that is not blasting Jizzle’s album. The country has uplifted him to the highest level and everyone is proud of him. A number of singles have been released from the album accompanied by video like Finally, Joanna, Just In Case. However, it was Turn By Turn that became number one on Apple Top 100 Gambia for five weeks. The album was also number 1 on Apple Music Gambia. Jizzle has worked very hard and has proven that his craft is ready to compete and shine on the world stage. His entrance on the stage at the Finally Concert was one in a million. Covered in a white cashmere robe, he was dressed in white with a silver face mask; the crowd went into frenzy. As happiness exuded from him, an emotional Jizzle told the crowd, “This is not my show; this show is for the Gambian music industry. All of us as artists. When one shines, we all shine. There is no competition and we must have love and support for each other. When one of us wins, we all win.” One of Jizzle’s wonders is that he sings in three major West African languages – Fula, Mandingo and Wolof – and an international language, English, making him a marketable brand, both at home and abroad. His stage presence, energy, and delivery are impeccable. He has received the highest accolades in the Gambian music industry for his singles and videos. He also did his first European tour over the summer starting with the Selam Festival in Sweden then to other European countries. He will continue to do international shows in December and throughout 2020.