Hello Everyone,

It’s almost summer time and LSG’s editorial team is gearing up for even more insightful, interesting, humorous, wontumi ntacki, put-a-GH-spin-on-it articles and interviews! We’re bubbling with so many ideas and excitement, we hope you’ll be able to handle all of it. In the meantime, we have a new addition to our team: Benjamin Anyan.

Ben has written a couple of inspiring/persuasuve pieces via Facebook and now has his own site: http://www.goldinwords.com. His articles have a certain freshness to them that pretty much everyone will be able to relate to, and we’re so glad he’s part of the LSG editorial team! Wait. Instead of going on and on about him, why not let him tell you more himself! Introducing…Ben Anyan!

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Dear Ghallywood,

Initially, I was upset because you weren’t exploring the depth of potential that the Ghanaian film industry offers. But now, you’ve done the ultimate and unleashed untold anger upon yourself. And not just from me. By sashaying your hips into the ’soft porn’ industry, many Ghanaians – and Africans – are fuming mad! There’s even a Facebook group called Ghana Movie Industry, What’s Going On? Enough Is Enough. What’s that you say? Who am I to dare chastise you? Well, for one thing I’m a concerned Ghanaian who’s tired of seeing your tasteless movie trailers. For another, I’m your consumer – the consumer is always right, no? – and even though I’m not a big fan of your products, I have sisters, a brother, family and friends who are exposed to your latest exploit. So, it ends up being my business. And finally, I’m someone who really believes that Ghanaians have a lot to offer and consequently, deserve more than you’re giving. Great, now that we’re well-acquainted, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
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LSG Family & Fans… We are at that time of year again! Ghana Music Awards (GMAs) time…. and the nominations were just released today via Charter House (2/26/2010). Courtesy of ‘Ameyaw Debrah’ the list is now available for us to view and see who wins which/what award this year! Just to give you an idea… Below is a sneak peek of some of the nominations as well as categories – Artist of the Year & Album of the Year. For full list of GMA Award Categories & Nominations…. Check out Ameyaw Debrah’s Article. You be the judge! Surprised? Shocked? Happy? Sad? Confused? Disappointed? Let LSG know what is on your mind by leaving any comments you may have or want to share… – Lifestylz GH!

Artist of the Year -

4×4

Wutah

Ohemaa Mercy

Sarkodie

Becca

Bradez

Album of the Year -

Daddy Lumba – Sika

Sarkodie – Makye

Wutah – Burning Desire

4×4 – World Trade Center

Ayigbe Edem – Volta Regime (more…)

Posted in: ARTICLES, MUSIC, SHOWCASE 11 Comments »

Anyone who’s had any considerable contact with Ghana knows that football is to Ghana as water is to life. It is the very essence and heartbeat of all Ghanaians regardless of gender, age, or interest in the sport. Why? Because it has a lot to do with a show of culture and patriotism and in some instances, it is the only time some will stand out in full force for our beloved nation. (more…)

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Monday, September 21 2009. That date is important for two main reasons: Eid ul-Fitr and Kwame Nkrumah’s 100th anniversary. Going along with the GhanaBlogging.com “Nkrumah” theme, I’m gonna focus on what I think Nkrumah’s most important legacy to Ghanaians and Africans is. I don’t idolize him, but I definitely do admire and applaud him. I strongly believe that the true mark of an individual’s success is in how (much) he or she is able to positively impact others. Nkrumah definitely did that. Heck, he is STILL doing it. With Ghana’s population quickly approaching 24million, it is a wonder that we’re not bursting at the seams.

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Football’s power to unite was again on showcase a couple of Sundays ago when our dear Black Stars made the whole nation proud by becoming the first African country to properly qualify for the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa next year. It was indeed a sight to behold as people from all corners of the country and indeed beyond, gathered in unison at the Ohene Djan Stadium to cheer the stars to victory. The ecstasy which gripped us after the final whistle was blown threw everyone into a wild frenzy of celebration. For the ninety minutes that the game lasted and a few hours afterwards, it appeared we had all forgotten about our fixation for politics and its many trivialities. There was no political affiliation, no ethnicity and no religion. There was just one group of people coming together for a common purpose-football. It’s the sort of feeling I wouldn’t mind experiencing on a daily basis and I’m sure you share my sentiments. (more…)

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Over the past week, I’ve spent time with my cousins and a visiting “sister” from Ghana who recently had a baby girl. The baby is adorably cute, and my would-be “maternal instincts” immediately kicked in. I’ve always found it amazing how a tiny baby can grow up to be an individual with dreams, hopes, fears, opinions and the whole hammock of complexities that form a human being. One thing that sticks out to me about babies is the fact that they want to be treated as anything but what they are. You lay her down, she squeals, you cradle her in your arms, she throws a fit, you put her in her crib; are you seriously asking for a full-fledged tantrum? The trick is to treat them like adults. And by ‘treat them like adults,’ I don’t mean throw a suit on her, throw a briefcase into her hand, and sit her at a desk for hours on end. No, what I mean is talk to her. Yes, the baby, talk to him/her.

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If you move around a lot in Ghana’s capital city you’ll realise that new businesses and industries have set up in various places. In the same way many marketplaces are emerging. It begins with one hawker or trader setting up a ‘point of sale’ in an area of little interest. When business is good they invite their friends to sell at the same place and others join them without invitation and eventually you have a small marketplace. Such a place can be found at the Tetteh-Quarshie interchange, close to the Accra Mall. I guess that’s how the most popular marketplaces were born, and they grew in size until they were established. The established and legal marketplaces in Accra include Accra Central Market, Kaneshie Market, Agbobloshie Market and Madina Market.

The Ghanaian marketplace is where you get all the fresh farm produce to cook that delicious local meal. From the ‘bankye’ (cassava) to the vegetables to the ‘aburo’ (maize) and fruits: you name it and it’s there. If it’s not at the store, it’s definitely at the market. You may wonder then, why go to the store if it’s fresh at the market? Shopping at any marketplace in Accra is quite an overwhelming experience if it’s your first time. Even for those who frequent the marketplace, they almost always find something interesting or distasteful happening there. Yes, distasteful; it’s a society, not a harvest haven. To say the very least it’s a tiresome task, but the aftermath is a mouth-watering aroma coming from your kitchen. On a regular day there are enough traders and consumers selling and buying respectively. Every marketplace has their ‘market days’ on which the human and vehicular traffic is enough to make you collapse if you’re faint-hearted. On those days you’re sure to go home with your bags full and your wallet or purse empty.

An established marketplace in Accra is a very large open place, Accra Central Market being the largest, I think. It’s easy to get lost there so if you don’t have a good sense of bearing you might want to go with experienced company or maybe leave a breadcrumb trail. It’s a fast-paced environment where you always have to watch your step and your head so that you don’t get hit by the kayayos’ load when they pass you by. There are traders everywhere: under sheds, by the roadside, in alleys and buildings and the car park. Every marketplace has a bus station and taxi rank so it’s easy to go to and from the market. Walking is what makes it so hectic especially when you have to comb through the whole market to find the various items you want. Like any other buying and selling environment there are criminals in the marketplace who see everyone as walking ATM machines: elusive pick-pockets, gang thieves, con artists, and fraudsters (including the fake pastors). If you lack vigilance you will end up going home without your wallet or items or both, and in the worst case scenario you might not make it home without some monetary assistance from a stranger. Believe it; it’s happened to me before. A word of caution will be to wash every item you buy thoroughly, including yourself, as the marketplace is not the most hygienic of places to be.

To survive the marketplace in Ghana, there are basic and important things you may want to know, the most important being to have a market list and budget. First off, in the marketplace you are what you wear. If you dress to kill, they (traders) will price to kill. Secondly don’t bother wearing perfume; the market’s ‘lavender’ is enough to distinguish you. While walking through the market you may want to hold your bag(s) tightly and never pick a call in open space. Your bag or phone could easily be snatched by thieves. Also if you are new to the marketplace you should ask around for varying prices and buy from the most cost effective trader while maintaining item quality. Foreigners should never go alone on their first date. Their negligence will definitely get the better of them. When buying, do not be soft. Look serious, bargain hard until you become unreasonable and when there’s a deal demand a top-up if possible. You always want to get the most out of every pesewa you lose. Finally there are no ladies and gentlemen in the marketplace. Everyone is an aggressive buyer and it would help if you are too.

The marketplace is like a business centre. Always keep in mind that most traders reward loyalty. If you frequent their sheds, they will be nice to you. Forget customer service though. It’s a pocket and product affair and you’re just the carrier of both, nothing more.

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This article was written by LSG Staff Writer Kobe Asiedu and may also be found on his blog.
Photo source: http://www.countryreports.org/images/countryReports.orgPhoto.aspx?image=GH/ghanafood2.jpg

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There are some days when I have nothing better to do than to sit on Facebook and look at pictures of people. The things I see and read about are enough to make a stranger think Ghanaians are funny people. Ghanaians are the most fashion conscious people on this planet! Don’t believe me? Go take a look at Facebook. This is not a recent phenomenon. Ghanaians have been going gaga over fashion or more appropriately fad trends as far back as I can remember.

Then came combat boots!!!!! Now those boots were an eyesore!!!!!!! Yet it seems everybody wanted them. I even wanted a pair but my mother quickly disabused my mind of that notion. Thank you Mummy! You would see boys and girls wearing these great clomping, feet-distorting shoes with the laces undone, and it was considered cool?!

More recently, we have seen the belts and boots. Now the belts I have no problem with, but the boots! Can someone explain to me why Ghanaian girls insist on wearing boots in the hot Ghanaian weather?! Aren’t their feet roasting in there?! I am sure that by the time those boots come off, their feet will be giving off a lovely nose-blocking scent!

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