ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
African Creatives Call For Copyright Protections, Financing, And Greater Collaboration at IFFAC Roundtable
For centuries, African arts and culture have been exported to the world, often without due credit or payment of any kind. Today, the continent's creatives – filmmakers and photographers, DJs and designers – are increasingly banding together to fight for copyright protections, fair compensation, and international recognition.
These were some of the main themes of a roundtable discussion on Thursday, June 9, hosted by the Impact Fund for African Creatives (IFFAC) and featuring U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Akunna Cook. The event at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, moderated by Kweku Okyere-Darko, Creative Director of Nineteen57, included 50 participants from the fashion, film, music, and art sectors, as well as representatives from government agencies and banks.
As the U.S. government looks for ways to support investment in Africa, DAS Cook said she is interested in the larger role the creative sector plays in shaping the global narrative about the continent.
“Creative industries are not only able to build a sustainable economy, you're able to change
the images people have in their minds about Africa, and drive further trade and
investment,” DAS Cook said. “If death, disaster, and disease are the ideas you have in your mind about Africa and Africans, then you are not likely to take the kinds of risks to take advantage of all the opportunities that we see here on the continent.”
Roberta Annan, veteran investor and founder of IFFAC, hosted the event to bring creatives together to discuss some of the major challenges facing their industries. IFFAC is Africa's first long-term investor focused on the broader creative sector.`
“There is no shortage of creativity on the continent. But many creatives lack financing, infrastructure, and the management skills to turn their ideas into a successful business. This is where IFFAC comes in, with a combination of capacity building, grants, and early-stage
investment,” Annan said. “Creatives need patient capital.”
Many participants cited financing as one of the greatest challenges for creative industries –
and small businesses in general – in Africa. With most banks unwilling to finance creative ventures, and even development finance institutions offering interest rates over 20 percent, creative businesses have a hard time obtaining the capital needed to bring their operations to a commercial scale.
Attendees celebrated the announcement by Gyankroma Addo, head of the Ghana Creative Arts Council, that the agency plans to establish a copyright law center. They said intellectual property issues and “copy-cats” are a major challenge to creative professionals in Africa.
In addition to the copyright center, the GCAC has drafted the country's first Creative Industries Act, which includes creative courses for primary and secondary schools, a new category of visa for artists, the Creative Industry Fund, and other initiatives. “The creative economy is the future,” Ms. Addo said.
For many creatives, that future lies in intra-African commerce, powerfully symbolized by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and its Accra-based Secretariat. Filmmakers, musicians, and fashion designers agreed: the best market for African culture is Africans.
There is no need to export to Europe or the U.S. when the continent's growing middle class and large youth population provide a ripe market.
Large numbers of young workers also make Africa an ideal producer of textiles, a labor-
intensive part of the apparel value chain that is largely imported. “There is a tremendous opportunity. Right now most of the value-add for cotton grown in West Africa is happening overseas,” said Fiona Coyne, IFFAC's head of ESG.
Many participants called for greater creative partnerships across borders, value chains, and sectors. Creatives have more opportunities than ever to exchange ideas and support with collaborative spaces like Untamed Empire, the soon-to-be-launched Ethos Club, and long- standing instructions like the Ghana's National Film Authority.
“When you are making a film, you are really using all the creative arts. You need a makeup artist, a costume designer, a set designer, a writer, music,” said Juliet Asante, CEO of the National Film Authority. “Come down and visit us. No matter what you do, there are opportunities for collaboration.”
About IFFAC
Having already made debt and equity investments into a number of creative and luxury brands, IFFAC seeks financial backing from development finance institutions, public sector donors, and private investors. Pipeline projects include new ventures in fashion and textiles, as well as web design and digital products, television streaming services, music, live performance, and audiobooks.
IFFAC officially launched in September 2021 at Paris Fashion Week, and in March 2022, pitched investors at a virtual Boardroom session with the African Investment Forum. An investor showcase in Accra is planned for September 2022.
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KO7’s Name Appears In A Class Project For Ghana Institute Of Journalism(GIJ)
Ghanaian Eastern Regions fast uprising musician, KO7's name has again appeared in a Ghanaian Institute Journalism school project.
KO7's name this time around appeared in a journalism school project on the end of second-semester exams of level 200 students studying Journalism at Ghana Institute Of Journalism.
The students were asked to produce a new paper article as their project work with stories from Current Affairs, Sports, Current Affairs and Entertainment.
GET TO KNOW ABOUT KO7
John Nkansah, popularly known as KO7 , is a fast-rising artist from Kwahu Obomeng in the Eastern Region of Ghana, With his unique blend of highlife and afrobeat, he has quickly become a fan favorite in the region and beyond.
KO7 Music started his music career in 2013 and has been on a steady rise ever since. He caught the attention of music lovers in the region with his hit song “Ya Socketti” in 2019, which showcased his catchy melodies and relatable lyrics.
In 2019, KO7 Music won the Eastern Music Awards Best Collaboration of the Year award, and this served as a stepping stone for him to gain more recognition in the industry. He has also won the Kwahu Music Awards Artist of the Year in 2022 and 2023, as well as the Eastern Music Awards Artiste of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
Some of KO7 Music's notable songs include “Gaza,” “Na Who,” “Style Biaabi,” and “Ya Socketti.” He also released a song titled “All Stars” in 2021, which featured all the top artists in Kwahu. This song served as a testament to his ability to bring artists together and create a hit song.
Apart from his music, KO7 Music is also known for his philanthropic works in the community. He has used his platform to support various initiatives, including providing scholarships to students in his hometown and supporting the construction of a community library. KO7 Music has featured a lot of top artists on his songs such as Fameye, Obibini, Epixode, Luther now Luta GH, and many other top artists.
KO7 Music is a rising star in the Ghanaian music industry, and his talent and hard work have earned him a loyal fan base. With his unique sound and dedication to his craft, it is only a matter of time before he becomes a household name in Ghana and beyond.
KO7 Music's hard work and dedication to his craft have paid off, and he has worked with various record labels such as Sent One Records, Wireless Moni Crew, and Team Success Entertainment. He is currently signed under 7Muzik record label and has been making waves with his latest song titled ‘No Fake' and enjoying good streaming numbers in the digital space.
Song Via Link Below
BOOMPLAY
https://www.boomplay.com/songs/127066803?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=WEB
AUDIOMACK
YOUTUBE
2023 shows played by Ko7
1. OBOUBA FM EASTER AKWAABA BASH
2. ADOM FM KWAHU EASTER
3. AFC
4. Ghana tertiary excellence awards
5. Ko7 Accra invation annual show organized by Team Ko7
6. Eastern music festival
7. The trap bars lunch
8. Eastern Music awards
9. XSSENCE party
10. Ponobiom & friends pool party.
11. Ghana talk radio street carnival
2024
1. Poum fest
2. Rep your jersey pool party
3. Kwahu music awards
4. Adom Kwahu Easter(in March).
PR STORY BY : ZOLLA NIE
PR & MARKETING COMMS EXEC,
FOUNDER LIVENEWSGH
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Jonilar Urges Ghanaian creatives to watch industry trends
Ghanaian digital music expert Jonilar known in real life Jonathan Nii Laryea has stressed the importance of understanding industry standards, pointing out that many talented creatives struggle due to a lack of awareness about some of the key aspects that could determine their success.
Jonilar, who doubles as Ghana country director and brand ambassador for Uganda-based aggregator Omziki, made this known while speaking at the second edition of the Digital Music Education Seminar held on 23 March at the Okumah Executive Lodge in the Bono East region of Ghana.
The seminar, running under the theme bridging the Gap between Music Education and the Industry, sought to equip musicians and creatives with essential knowledge about the music industry.
Other speakers for the event included health professional and MC Yaw Ampofo Adomako, public relations expert Isaac Sosito, as well as broadcasters Gideon Kwame Sarkodie and Bretuoba Kwabena.
Jonilar noted that instead of solely relying on social media for support, musicians should invest in learning how to establish connections within the industry. He further urged local media to prioritise crafting radio content that educates creatives and reiterated his call from last year's event to the government and other stakeholders to invest in digital music incubator programmes in junior and senior high schools nationwide.
At last year's seminar,Jonilar also proposed a one-year tax break for media and influencers promoting arts, music, and tourism to bolster Ghana's creative and cultural sectors.
Ampofo, meanwhile, emphasised the significance of mental wellness for creatives,
highlighting its role in preventing unforeseen consequences, while Kwame Sarkodie advised musicians to cultivate business relationships with media professionals to enhance their visibility on radio. Sosito underscored the importance of improving communication skills and seeking professional assistance in managing one's brand.
Speaking to Music In Africa, Jonilar said the event “has been very impactful,” adding that he was excited about the turnout. “It shows the zeal and level of commitment by musicians and creatives here to learning new ways they can advance their careers.”
Story; Gabriel Myers Hansen
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Michael Adjetey and Ebenezer Okrah Call For “Change” In Powerful New Single
In their latest musical collaboration, Michael Adjetey and Ebenezer Okrah have taken a bold step to address issues in African society. Their new song, titled ‘Change,' serves as a powerful call to action, urging Africans and Ghanaians to demand accountability from their political leaders. The artists emphasize that the failures of corrupt politicians should not be tolerated or excused, and instead advocate for a collective effort towards positive change.
At a time when corruption and political misconduct continue to hinder progress in many African nations, ‘Change' serves as a much-needed anthem for disillusioned citizens. Michael Adjetey and Ebenezer Okrah deliver an empowering message, encouraging Africans to take a stand against the rampant corruption that has plagued their societies for far too long. Through their lyrics, the artists emphasize the importance of holding politicians accountable and demanding transparency in governance.
The song ‘Change' highlights the artists' frustration with the lack of development and progress resulting from the actions of corrupt politicians. Michael and Ebenezer's lyrics convey a sense of disappointment, as they express the belief that Africans and Ghanaians deserve better leadership. They emphasize that the failures of politicians should not be an excuse for the stagnation of their countries; instead, it should be a catalyst for change and collective action.
‘Change' by Michael Adjetey and Ebenezer Okrah serves as a rallying cry for Africans and Ghanaians to address the issue of corruption in their respective countries. Through their powerful lyrics, the artists urge citizens to hold their leaders accountable and work towards achieving a brighter future. This song has the potential to inspire a collective movement towards positive change, empowering individuals to actively participate in shaping the destiny of their nations.
Ebenezer and Michael believe in hard work. However, they also affirm the believe that without God, nothing is impossible. They implore society in general to change from iniquities to holiness, for what shall it profit a man/woman, if you gain the whole world but lose your soul. “Change” is a clarion call for salvation, not only to the politicians, but to all humanity. So, going forward, if we say “OPUTUNUU”, you say “WA MA TSA K3 MI”. We've got to change inside y'all. Change MUST Come.
Audio Link : https://ditto.fm/eochange
Youtube
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