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Contents

BentsifiBentsifi ACVB MediaP. O. Box 3399, Accra

1 Kade CloseKanda Estates

Tel: 0244 697046Email: [email protected]

EDITORIALEditor PaJohn Dadson

Editorial Assistant Zara Abbey

STUDIOArt Direction Bentsifi

Graphic Designer Oduro AssiamahPhotography Francis Kokoroko, Kwaku Gyabaa, Rodney Quarcoo

Steve Ababio, Steven Adusei,Barrack El Mahmoud

Emmanuel Bobbie

Marketing Rhoda Acquah

PublisherBentsifi ACVB Media

GhC5 where sold.

The views expressed in the articles published are not necessarily those of Bentsifi-ACVB. While every reason-able care has been taken in compiling the magazine, the publisher shall not be held liable for any omission, error or inaccuracy. Please notify the publisher in writing of any omission, error or inaccuracy. Editorial contributions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk. The publisher cannot accept any re-sponsibility for loss or damage. All rights reserved by Bentsifi-ACVB. No part of this publication may be repro-duced in any form without the publisher’s permission in writing. Bentsifi is distributed for sale through selected major newsstands in Accra. It is also control-circulated to major hotels.

Cover PhotoBarrack El Mahmoud

Images from the Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Jamestown, Ga Mashie. Sat 14.


Akwaaba, Miawoezor, Welcome to Accra, Africa’s cultural city!

For us here in Accra, Easter is a big deal. The many Churches in the capital embark on outdoor gathering called Conventions where all the satillite groups converge at one large outdoor venue for prayer sessions so while driving around town during the Easter weekend, you are likely to see some of these gathering. Many also get out of town to their hometown to be with family, and others yet just want to get out of Accra to the quieter hinterland. Whatever you choose to do, this Easter month brings many special events.For five years running the Ghana Paragliding Festival pulls a lot of visitors to the Kwuhu Ridge area where it takes place. That is also where the biggest Easter celebrations take place. See our preview on page 24. The 13th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, the biggest night for GH music comes off at the Dome on the 14. It is a night to celebrate Ghanaian music and mu-sicians and comes complete with Red Carpet and much razzle-dazzle.A new festival recently started, Chale Wote Street Art festival, comesoff again this year in the Jamestown area. It is activity packed and is quite exciting to see.The Silverbird Cinema continues to exhibit latest flicks from Hollywood, as well as from Nollywood and some lo-cal brews too! altogether, the capital holds its own in the month of April and brings a lot of fun and cheer too.

Remember, this season records some of the highest mo-tor accidents in the country, so drive carefully and be safe.

Enjoy,

Editor

FirstWord

BULLETIN

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NYANIBA ESTATES

This April

You know the music; Old SchoolCome dance in your African print outfit

10pm. Golden Tulip HotelThe Tulip Mirror Ball takes place every last Friday of the Month

Afro Chique

Patronage of domestic airlines has shot up, Doreen Owusu-Fianko, Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has said.Domestic airlines, she says, are doing incredibly well as a result of improved management structures and the continual training of staff.City Link and Antrak Air currently lead the list of airline operators that were doing very well with their frequent flights from the Kotoka International Airport to other parts of the country.From November to December 2011, patronage of domestic flights in Ghana shot up to 12,000 and it is on record that January witnessed high support.The MD continued that the Accra-Kumasi route was making an average of 4,000 passengers but presently, it had 12 flights a day.“Tamale, as well, used to have only one flight a day but now there are two flights to Tamale every day,” she noted.Mrs Owusu-Fianko says there is a new airline which is expected to be ready before the end of this year.Passengers used to complain about the exorbitant fares charged by the two airlines but Mrs Owusu-Fianko pointed out that currently fares had been reduced. “There is no major problem with the operations of the domestic airlines, hence the increase in the patronage.”Mrs Owusu-Fianko, commenting on the country’s inter-national airports, reiterated that apart from the proposed Tamale airport, the Kumasi’s international airport had been confirmed.She noted that every regional capital, by their plan, was supposed to have an airport.She said plans were far advanced for Takoradi to get a new airport, which was expected to be for intercontinen-tal flights.

Domestic Air Travel Sees In-creased Patronage


We can’t go through this month without...

...going to see this clown entertain the audience at the Italian National Circus Il Florilegio which is drawing families

and just about everybody to their shows which is on till April 22. It is at the

Efua Sutherland Children’s Park.

...acquiring one of these stylish Trashy Bag hold-alls, made from recycled plastic water wrappers collected from the streets right here in Accra! Must do my bit to help save the environment!

...going for some homemade

food gour- met stlye

from Cuppa Cuppacino

- yep! - they serve these too! the culinary

team there are just super!

...strolling the grounds of the Nyabina Park come Sat 8 when the monthly Stock Exchange - a Flea Market - comes off... Here’s where to get, among other things, scented candles, beautiful craft items and also powdered Dawadawa! Add this to soup and stews and taste the difference!

...getting me a

Lokko08 T-shirt:

the ‘Original Acc’

urban tees which

come with many

messages; like this

one!

...attending Dela Botri’s new album launch at the Alliance Francaise on Fri 20.

...taking my pair of binoculars and telescope, and taking it along to view and celebrate Stars, Planets and Moons during Global Astronomy Month (GAM) this April at the Ghana Planetarium behind Police Headquarters in Canton-ments every Saturday! The program as follows; 7 – Global Astronomy Month kick-off! Learn about the night sky with telescope viewing! 14 – “Yuri’s Night”, a celebration of space travel and rockets! 21 – Saturn Watch – Learn and Look at the “Lord of the Rings”! 28 - Global Star Party!

...taking a course in Twi to improve my knowledge of the local language at the Goethe-Institut which

is offering Twi Classes for Non-Twi speakers. The courses are focused on com-munication and which within a

short period can help me listen to radio programs discuss with your Ghanaian colleagues, neighbours

& friends in Twi.


FILMThurs 5, 7pm “The Amount of Small Things (Der Die Das)” by Sophie Narr, 92 min. 2008. A moving journey back to child-hood, this documentary looks at the ev-eryday life of four first graders in Germany from different countries, struggling to fit in. Goethe-Institut

Sat 14, 7pm Africa in Motion - Award Ceremony (for Short Film Competition “African Kiss”) African Information Move-ment Germany (AIM.Deutschland) in cooperation with AIM.Ghana organized a short film competition last year for young engaged Ghanaian filmmakers under the theme “African Kiss.” At this awards show, six of the short films will be screened and the three winners will be awarded prizes up to 1500Ghc. Goethe-Institut

Thurs 19, 7pm“Herr Zwilling und Frau Zuckermann” (Documentary) by Volker Koepp, 127 min., 1999 This poignant, award-winning Ger-man film chronicles the lives of Herr (Mr.) Zwilling and Frau (Mrs.) Zuckermann, the only two living survivors of the Holocaust in today’s Chernowitz, a medium size city now in the Ukraine. One of the most interest-ing aspects is that the German language is what bonds Herr Zwilling and Frau Zucker-mann. Goethe-Institut

ARTThurs 5 – Wed 11 Art exhibition: Nicho-las Kowalski The versatile Polish-Ghanaian artist’s unique abstract works and dazzling textural paintings, which have been seen and sold across Europe, Africa, Canada, and the United States, will be exhibited. lisa Hotel

Fri 13, 7pm Mondial Cabaret - Circus Show More than just an artistic project, Christoph Glockner and Olivier Denizet, hailing all the way from France, use the traditions of the popular cabaret, which involves music, dance, magic, comedy and alternative circus, and fuse them with contemporary world reality.Alliance Française

Sat 14, 10am – 11pm Chale Wote Street Art Festival Following the suc-cess of the first edition of the flamboyant urban art celebration last year, a second festival comes your way under the theme, “outer-space” exploration. Join the Festival on a mission into a universe of unlimited imagination installed by the Ghana Space

Station, through the streets of James Town for an action-packed program of activities including Acrylic Street Painting, Inside the Moskito Net (dance installation), Spoken Word by Ehalakasa Talk Party, a soup kitch-en to feed community children, a Fashion Circus by The WEB (Young Designer’s Hub), and many more. James Town

Sat 14 – Sun 15 Accra Photo Festival Themed “Ghana on the Rise,” this event will showcase positive images of Ghana with the goal of selling photographs and photo books to raise funds for the provision of Ghanaian hospitals with the framed images that will instil hope in patients. Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel

Sat 21 thru .... 6pm. ‘Malaria: Blood, Sweat and Tears’. A photo exhibition dip-icting the global impact of malaria. Part of World Malaria Day. National Museum Sat 21 to Sun Jul 1 [Opening 21 April at 4pm] Kofi Setordji One of the rare occasions to see the diverse talents of one of Ghana’s foremost artists, Kofi Setordji, in this solo exhibition. Works on show are on a variety of media - photography, prints, painting, sculpture, ceramics and part installations. Exhibition will commence with Kofi in conversation with Dr. Agyeman Os-sei at 4pm. Kofi will be available to talk with students and art patrons and enthusiasts for the duration of the exhibition. Nubuke Foundation, East Legon.

KIDSDaily [except Mon] thru Sun 22, 6pm. Il Floriilegio Circus The circus that is thrilling audiences. Fascinating stuff. three shows on martinee Sat at 3pm, 6pm and 8pm. A real family day out. Efua Sutherland Children’s Park

Every Mon - Thurs 3pm-4pm. Nu Reading Club Children are welcome to our drop-in reading sessions with a choice of books to read from our well stocked library. Nubuke Foundation, East Legon.

Wed 11 - Fri 27, 9:30am - noon. Vaca-tion Tennis Club. Get the low down on grips, forehand, backhand, serve, return of service, footwook and net play from expe-rienced instructors! Barclays Club House, Ringway Estates.

MUSICSat 7, 7pm Moonsplash Reggae ConcertCome and enjoy the new reggae genre

described as “True Ghanaian Reggae,” with Blakk Rasta and other roots reggae artists on a full moon! Goethe-Institut

Sat 14 Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsFull of dazzle, it’s music most thrilling night. The biggest yearly music festival in the country will come off this month, as eagerly awaited, with the promise of new catego-ries, more pomp and extra excitement.The Dome – Accra International Con-ference Centre

Sun 15 Inspirational Praise 2012The annual music festival is themed “Yi Naye” (Praise Him), and will bring the youthful population to the knowledge of God through gospel music. It aims to un-ravel the mystery behind true worship, and also to appreciate the relevance of music in life’s endeavours. National Theatre

CULTURAL EVENTSCommunityTues 3, 12:30pm NAWA Let’s Do LunchCome join the conversation over a nice lunch. Members of the North American Women’s Association, as well as newcom-ers are welcome. Au Grand Ecuyer

Wed 4, 6:30pm Story telling: Quand Les Tigres Fumaient La Pipe + Reve De France (When the Tigers smoked the pipe + Dreams of France) An amaz-ing and eclectic show which will give you a tour around the world, from Mali to Estonia without leaving your seat! Stories in origami, sets of strings, gestural language and other well spiced languages. Alliance Française

Thurs 5, 7pm – 10pm International Night The monthly occasion brings to-gether diplomats and Canadians to socialise and have a good time. Drinks and burgers are sold on deck. High Commission of Canada

Fri 6 – Sun 8 Hash Easter Week-end RunFun times at a cozy beach resort just beyond Winneba promising spicy pork sausage! Children and dogs are welcome. Rooms are available at GHC 20-30, depending on size of room. Hosted by the Hash House Harriers.

Sat 7 Global Astronomy Month April is Global Astronomy Month (GAM)! kick-off! Learn about the night sky with telescope viewing!

Sat 14 – Sun 15 accraexpat Private Tandem Paragliding Week-endaccraexpat.com is offering its community private access to the flying area. Par-ticipants are assured of features like flight sequence numbers to avoid delays and give everyone a chance to fly. Kwahu Ridge

Sat 14 “Yuri’s Night”Part of Global Astronomy Month (GAM), a celebration of space travel and rockets!

Sat 21 Saturn Watch Part of Global As-tronomy Month (GAM). Learn and Look at the “Lord of the Rings”!

Sat 28 Global Star Party Part of Global Astronomy Month (GAM),if you have a pair of binoculars or telescope, bring it along and join with us to view and celebrate Stars, Planets and Moons!

RECREATIONSat 7 – Mon 9 Ghana Hang Gliding & Paragliding Festival This festival has be-come a must during the Easter celebrations in Ghana. It boasts highly qualified pilots and consistent flying conditions starting around mid-morning until late in the day. There will be the usual spectacular aerial fun, ceremony and music. Kwahu Ridge

Mon 2, 5:15pm Next Week’s Miracle: Run 1612 The Hash House Harriers say this is a Chop Night, so unless you like sitting on mud, bring a chair or someone soft to sit on! Back of the Polo Club MEETINGS/WORKSHOPSSun 1, 12pm The Practical HR Managers/Personnel Training Utilising practical exer-cises and scenarios, workbooks and group work, this programme will take participants through a variety of HR topics and trends, from Personnel Data Management to Rewards and Recognition. Alisa Hotel

Tues 3 - Wed 4, 9am 10th Africa Invest-ment Forum (2012) This event organised by the Commonwealth Business Council will focus on partnerships with ECOWAS to mobilise investment in the sub-region. Ac-cra International Conference Centre

Sat 7, 10am – 2pm Moonsplash Reggae Workshop The Blakk Rasta reggae work-shop will research sounds and instruments to be used to create Moonsplash Reggae, a new African Reggae sound, and set the stage for the first Moonsplash Reggae

Concert later in the evening. Goethe-Institut

Tues 10, 7pm Booming Agricultural Markets: Opportunity or Threat for Africa’s Smallscale Farmers? Prof. Dr. Theo Rauch will open the casual series of expert talks with a lecture on the theme. It will include discussions with Ghanaian partners on a crucial focal point of German-Ghanaian bilateral relations - Development cooperation. Entrance is free.Goethe-Institut

Tues 10 – Fri 13 5th International School Social Work Conference The event will provide participants, including social workers and other stakeholders with an opportunity to exchange ideas on ef-forts to ensure quality education for all the world’s children.Accra International Conference Centre

Thurs 12, 6:30pm NAWA monthly meeting The North American Women’s Association will be having their monthly meeting to discuss interesting pertinent issues. Coconut Grove Hotel

Sat 14 – Sun 15 Studio Kurtycz week-end art workshop Dubbed “Printing Artist Books”, participants will learn about the different uses of printmaking techniques on books and use some of those techniques to produce a book, integrating text and images. Studio Kurtycz

Mon 16 – Wed 18, 8:30am – 4:30pmValue-Added Procurement, Negotia-tions & SRM Salvo Global’s 3-day compre-hensive Masterclass will explore the latest methodologies and practices to enable your organization to move from simply a reactive, tactical (cost centre) department to a value-add, strategic (profit centre) function. Accra

Mon 16, 7pm Architecture in Accra Lec-ture Series with Nat Nuno-Amarteifio – Part I To understand traditional architec-tural styles, this first lecture will examine the use of materials and the process of construction. Indigenous use of space will be explored as well as the domestic archi-tecture and workshops of Accra dwelling slave traders. Goethe-Institut

EXPOWed 4 - Thurs 5, 12pm Solar West Africa The exhibition/forum will provide

the ideal environment for industry experts, investors and key governmental organisa-tions to forge business contacts and open up new market potential. La Palm Royal Beach Hotel

Mon 16 – Sat 21, 9am-5pm Ghana Policy Fair On the theme “Building Together in a Better Ghana” all Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Met-ropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Greater Accra Region would be brought together under one roof to provide a one-stop access to the general public providing an avenue for people to interact freely with Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers of public institutions as well as Chief Direc-tors, Directors and other senior members of these institutions, to offer suggestions, seek information, clarify policy issues and better understand policy and projects initiatives. Accra International Confer-ence Centre.

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Entries into The Critical List

Events Events


Fashionable Fante Tarkwa women (circa 1910).

The evolution of the kaba and slit, our traditional wraparound skirt and matching tailored blouse has come a long way, hasn’t it?It is said to have begun at the turn of the last century, and the word is that, King Ghartey IV (1820-1897) of Winneba and a president of the Fante Confederation introduced the cover-shoulder dress, known as the ‘kabasroto’ or ‘kaba’ as we call it now. It was an imitation of the European blouse, to clothe the then semi-nudity that was custom-ary among women folk of those times. He began the experiment with his maid ser-vants and the members of the ‘Band of Hope’ at Anomabo, among a section of the then Christian community. It soon spread like a rash, leading to what it is today.

Fante FashionSet the

Pace

Trends

Kwaku Darko Ankrah


We bring you some dining highlights this month

Capital Delights

destination management

leisure . hospitality . events

public relations

0244.69.7046

For Spintex resident Kofi Tsikata - who works as the Director of Com-munications at the World Bank Gha-na Office - he’ll always choose Accra as his place of abode. If for nothing at all, it is because of the following he deems as treats; 1. the waakye from the stall near the Stanchart Bank in his locality on Spintex Road. 2. The kenkey and Dom-edo [grilled pork] from the big woman [front, middle stall] at the Osu Night Market, which Kofi says is “the best spot to get the delicacy in the whole wide world!” 3. Fufu and goat light soup from Bes Stop Asanka on Ring Road Central and last

but not least, 4. the Koliko joint at

Labone Junction.

Thurs 7pmLive Jazz Band & AperritivoUnwind to the sounds of Jazz while enjoying a delicious selection of canapes coupled with aperitifs.Movenpick

Sun 11amChampagne BrunchA lavish beffet spread experience with chilled Champus!Sankofa Restaurant , Movenpick

23 - 30Spicy Culinary ExpereinceGastronomic! Sample an eclectic array of flavours from all over the globe; all with hot spicy flair.Sankofa Restaurant , Movenpick

There are many culinary delights during the Easter celebrations at most hotel including Golden Tulip Hotel, Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Holiday Inn, Novotel Accra City, African Regent Hotel, Best Western Hotel. Have a great Easter Holidays!


The Official Launch of the Ghana Culture Forum

of cultural practitioners & activists and organisations, in partnership with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, launched the Forum and showcased a kaleidoscope of Ghanaian cultural interaction and expressions at the National Theatre in Accra.Held under the theme ‘Culture – Our Life! Culture We dey Chop!’, it was marked with an emporium - a courtyard of cultural interaction and expressions as displayed in the photos on these pages. It climaxed with the formal launch performed by the Minister of Local Gov’t & Rural Dev. Mr Ofosu Am-pofo [top left], who stood in place of His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.The Chair for the occasion was Nana Atiburukusu of Axim & Chair of the Western Regional House of Chiefs [top]. Guest of Honour was Prof Kofi Anyidohu [left, centre] of the Uni. of Ghana. Ms Moji Okuribido [left] of UNESCO who helped facilitate the event also spoke. Other dignitories included the Minister of Tourism, Culture and key Cultural activists.

Culture: Our Life – Culture We Dey Chop!

At last, a day, whose purpose is to promote our national culture, arts, and academic successes, and a celebration of our heritage came to pass.March 14, marked that day when the Ghana Culture Forum, a membership based civil society consultative and advocacy network


Events2012 ‘Quinzaine de la Francophonie’

Story John OwooPhotos John Owoo/Nana Khophy d’Addo-Wiafe

Other performances and events included French mu-sician Erwann Bouvier (left), who moved to Burkina Faso in 2007, showcasing his dra-matic blend of French and traditional African rhythms through a creative use of the accordian, djembes, xylo-phone and tamas. Also, an exhibition of paintings by Kassy (Cote d’Ivoire), Sam-uel Tete Katchan, Edem Gota, Yao Sewonou (Togo) and Sali-fou Oura (Burkina Faso). A discussion with members of the Foundation for Contem-porary Art in Ghana on the topic ‘Naive Art’. Courtesy of the Lebanese

Embassy and Canadian High Comm, two films. Ghana-ian song diva Bibie Brew performed a magnificent concert in the format of the newly-designed La Pailotte Takpekpe. There was also a Forum on Francophone Studies and Trade aimed at promoting French/Francophone studies and trade.The 2012 Miss Alliance pageant was also organised as part of the festival where Miss Edith Kouame emerged as winner (above)

Ghanaian flutist Dela Botri alongside Malian balafon leg-end Kélétigui Diabaté and the ngoni sensation Barou Kouy-ate, last week enchanted a cheering audience in Accra with a cool fusion of Mand-ingue music with highlife, salsa and jazz.In a compelling performance backed by Hewale Sounds, the outdoor theater at the Alliance Française reverberated with rhythms and sounds that re-vealed the power and beauty of cross cultural collaborations as well as the strength of im-provisations.Stimulating rhythms from the atenteben flute, which was in tune with the Malian balafon/ngoni sent the crowd on a mute journey as the Ghanaian xylophone, shakers, bells and kpanlogo/gome drums calmly blended in a musical voyage that could sow the seeds of a full blown innovative creation.The amazing balafon master, who is well known for his re-cent work with Habib Koité and guest artistes such as Toumani Diabaté, Djelymadi Tounkara, Fassery Diabaté,

Diawoye Diarra and Bamada appeared to be having real fun as his hand moved meticu-lously on the balafon, which he has played for over five decades.Kélétigui’s unique style, which was influenced by a chance meeting with Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz greats, is char-acterized by a wider range of flexibility on the balafon thereby enabling Botri to ef-fortlessly move in and out of his compositions.

Kouyate, who is noted for his deft playing of the ngoni (a stringed lute instrument), captivated the audience with an impeccable performance through the richness and di-versity of notes and sounds that emanated from his ngoni filled the stage.An apostle of collaborations, Botri equally proved the capa-bilities of the atenteben flute as he constantly shifted from rhythm to rhythm and note to note with a remarkable pace

while engaging and involving the crowd in the performance.The performance formed part of several programmes marking the 2012 edition of ‘Quinzaine de la Francophonie’, which is organized by member countries of La Francophonie represented ihere n Ghana.

CFAO Motors, Total, AGS, Frasers International, Bollore, Novotel, Allianz, LouisDrey-fus, Golden Exotics, Societe Generale and Marquis Tante Marie sponsored the festival.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs makes his speech during the open-

ing with the French Ambassador looking on (right), and Mali’s Dia-

baté shares a stage with Ghana’s Dela Botri (above)

The Festival opened at the Alliance Francaise in Accra on Fri, March 16 by

the Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs.


Dancing tigers, supple acro-bats, a blind folded tight-rope walker, funny clowns, jugglers, half naked dancing girls, flying tra-peze acrobats as well as pyroflash

lights capture the imag-ination of both young

and old people for two solid hours at the circus which is running through till Sun 22. Warn-ing - it is highly entertaining!

Months of work preparing for this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards culminates in two big nights this month with the Industry Awards night on Monday 9 at the Interna-tional Ceonference Centre lobby where those working in the industry will be presented with their awards, and then the big one on Sat 14 where the Red Carpet will be rolled for the stars! It’s Ghana music’s biggest night, and you want to be a part of it! This page shows photos of the launch of the Awards a month ago at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

Il Florilegiothe Circus that’s

got Accra thrilled


This year, as has been the trend for the festival,

the event drew a gargantuan crowd

when it held Nominee Jams in both Kumasi and Takoradi.

...all for the Love of Music....


The final event took place on Mon Jan 30. Like the four prelimi-nary ones before, the venue, Bukom Square in the heart of James-town in Ga Mashie got packed early, and

by the time the Brass Band arrived for the competition proper to commence by 4pm, there was already a lot of dancing to music provided by the DJ. Six groups participated, and from the look of things all of them had prepared well for the final. They made efforts with their costume, stage craft and lyrics, which were the main criteria for judging. At the end of the day, Lucky “7” came tops, followed by Sonk-pakpa. Hunter “6”

and Planet came 3rd and 4th respectively, and they all received trophies along with their cash prizes. The remaining two also received cash prizes.The enthusiasm and

participation of the audience showed in their cheering. The groups also expressed having gained satisfac-tion from taking part in the events and hoped it could continue.The events had a festive atmosphere around it, and brought the community to-gether in a happycheer-sporting bash.Created and organised by Bentsifi, with fund-ing from the Ghana Danish Culture fund [GDCF] it was hosted in an attempt to es-tablish a periodic event

for the folkloric music genre called Jama.With assistance from the Ga Mashie Development Agency (GAMADA), all the main Jama groups within the commu-

nity (Jamestown and Chorkor) were invited to participate and in the end, from sixteen groups, the six made it to the final after four months of competi-tion.Judges for the events included Mr Nii Teiko Tagoe of GAMADA in Jamestown, Nii Korley Laryea, a Journalist and Mr Sammy a Com-munity Leader from Chorkor.

Courtesy the Ghana Denmark Cultural Fund, the wanning popularity of the Jama musical genre was rekindled in the Ga Mashie community


In five short years, the Ghana Paragliding Festival has become an integral part of the annual Easter celebra-tions, which is one of the most popular holidays in many regions through-out the country. The festival attracts both Ghanaians and foreign-ers alike for more than 3 days of spectacular aerial fun, ceremony and music.It takes place in the Kwahu ridge in the East-ern region. All roads lead there come the Easter weekend. Ghana Paragliding Festival

6-9 April. Kwahu Ridge

Decades-long search for an effective, com-mercially viable vaccine against malaria has yet to produce its desired results. Though major pharmaceutical companies have been working towards this goal, limited funding has, until re-cently, severely hampered efforts.Touring the world to highlight this, a photo-

exhibition entitled “Malaria: Blood Sweat and Tears” set to run free at the National Museum of Ghana, No. 2 Barnes Road, Accra from the 21 thru May 21 will depict images from across the globe illustrating the complex relationships between malaria, poverty and the need for in-ternational support for combating the disease on a grand scale. It will showcase more than 40 images by inter-nationally acclaimed photographer Adam Nadel who brings to life the personal stories of malaria sufferers and malaria experts from all over the world. The collection provides information on all as-pects of malaria - from the history to the sci-ence - and captures the new positive outlook as a result of recent progress made in reducing malaria deaths in some African countries by over 50%.The illness kills more than 860,000 people a year - mainly women and children. Half of the world’s population - some 3.3 billion people in 109 countries - is at risk of malaria. Africa bears the greatest burden - with 90% of all deaths occurring in 44 countries south of the Sahara. Since 2003 funding for malaria control has reached unprecedented levels, enabling countries to scale up the distribution of effec-

tive malaria treatments, long-lasting insecticide mosquito nets and spraying the inside of dwell-ings with insecticide. However, although almost US$2 billion is available to tackle malaria - it falls short of the approximate US$5 billion required annually to achieve Universal Coverage with all prevention and treatment tools.

Produced and conceived by the United King-dom-based Malaria Consortium, the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to comprehensive control of malaria, and pho-tographer Adam Nadel, the exhibition has been made possible with the generous support of Vestergaard Frandsen, a European-based com-pany specializing in complex emergency re-sponse and disease-control products, including the PermaNet® long-lasting insecticidal net and net curtains to prevent vector-borne diseases like malaria. It was produced under the umbrella of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, which is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. Following a special preview on the 20, the exhi-bition will be open to the general public from 21, with free entry made possible by the generosity of local sponsor Airtel Ghana. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view winning photo-graphs from a photo-essay competition among local school children from ten Basic Schools in the Accra metropolis on what malaria means to them.

The mosquito kills more humans than any other creature in the world.

SPECTRUM

“Malaria: Blood Sweat and Tears”

A photo exhibition is on at the

National Museum from April 21 thru May 21

Photos byAdam Nadel


The Aboakyir Festival

of the Simpa People

Two Asafo Companies (warrior groups) in Win-neba take part in a hunting expedition. The first troop to catch a live bushbuck - an animal from the antelop family - from a game re-serve used for this pur-pose and present it to the chiefs and people at a colorful durbar is declared winner and is highly regarded for bravery.The bushbuck is sacrificed and this signifies the start of the Aboakyer festival which is also used to receive a productive harvest and spiritual guidance from their gods for the coming year.The name ‘‘Aboakyir’’ trans-lates as ‘hunting for game or animal’ in the Akan Fante dialect as spoken by the people of the Central region. Characteried by a large dur-bur, various chiefs sit in state accompanied by a number of ceremonial guards. According to oral history, when the tribe eventu-ally settled in what is now Winneba, they moved to celebrate their arrival. Thier priest, thus, instructed them to sacrifice a young member of the royal family in honour of the gods. This didn’t go down too well with the peo-ple, as they feared it could eventually wipe out the roy-als, so following an appeal to the local deity, this was replaced first by a wild cat and now, a wild antelope, as

many people died in pursuit of capturing the cat. The festival creates an exceptionally competitive atmosphere as the groups compete to be the first to capture the antelope and

return to the durbar, or gathering of elders. Praise singers dress in various cos-tumes, the mood is jubilant, though many have been waiting since before dawn for their 10-minute perfor-mance. Just before midday, the flag-bearers of the first group enter the stadium to enthusiastic applause.

Heritage

Celebrated every 1st Saturday in May the Aboakyre festi-val is commemmorated to mark the migration of the Sim-pa people from the ancient Western Sudan Empire from where they were led by 2 brothers and a god called Otu. It is a time for much revelry in the town called Winneba, and

each year thousands throng there for great fun...

When they finally arrive, the cham-pion of the Tuafo Asafo group carries the live antelope across his shoulders. His group will present the deer to an elder who places his foot on the animal as a sign of acceptence


SupermarketsMax Mart A&C Mall & near 37 StationThree floors of supermarket stocking groceries, crockery, a bakery, confectionaries, florist, ‘winery’, office and home appli-ances among othersShoprite Accra Mall and KasoaOne of Africa’s largest food retailers, stocks a wide selection of foods, confectionaries, bakes, drinkables and every other thing you are looking for, They promise less cost. Koala Supermarket Osu, Dan-quah CircleAccra, Koala has a vast range of international goods including foodstuff, cookware, electronics, bakery, glassware, confection-aries and other items you may need, all åat this international supermarket.

Department StoresGame Accra Mall. Find household ware, garden ensemble, electronics, sport-ing equipment, children’s items and all you’ll want from a large and comprehensive department store with promos and discount sales every week! Shopping CentersAccra Mall Tetteh Quarshie RoundaboutReal mall concept – Accra’s Larg-est – with international brands such as Game, Apple, Shoprite, Puma etc housed here. Also a convergence hub, find Silverbird cinema, and a myriad of eateries, activities etc.A&C Mall East Legon Houses many stocked lifestyle stores, restaurants, cafes, a gym, pharmacies, supermarkets, a swimming pool and secure kids’ playground. Palace Shopping Mall Spintex

Road In the same premises as Furni-ture City, a hypermarket that stocks a wide variety of house-hold stuff including electronics, crockery, gym equipment and many more.Melcolm Plus Complex North Ind AreaPopular retailing centre with 3 floors of affordable household items, and space for outlets such as a dental practice, bookshops, cafes and a host of others. Orca Graphic RoadFor contemporary and styl-ish interior décor ware, here’s where to go. A large double floor of everything from curtains materials to cooking utensils to gym equipment to furniture to children’s toys!

Shops & Services

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Entries into The Critical List

Accra’s club scene is hip, and has a lot of

atmosphere, even on a regular night. This month,

catch the fire at these joints that keeps

the city awake most nights.

CAPITAL’S CLUBSAphrodisiac Capital’s Banging club . North DzorwuluBella Roma Hippest club in town. OsuMillonaires Hot DJs. Citizen Kofi Excel For an exclusive crowd. Airport ResidentialGrand Pappaz Swankiest joint in town CantonmentsRockstone’s Office Simply hip. CantonmentsBoomerang Hottest club in town. CapriceRoxbury’s Hottest club in Asylum DownJokers Happiest club in town. LaOpps! For the mature crowd. Bubiashie RoundaboutScratch Mature club often with live music. East LegonCave Lounge For a mature audience. Kuku Hill, Osu

Our pick of the capital’s hottest night spots.

Night Life

Ghana’s premiere

Jazz & Live Music joint

Mon - Thu 5pm - 2:33 am

Fri:5pm - 4am

Sat - Sun:2:33pm - 4am


Eating OutThe Essentials

The Directory section consists of establishments currently advertising in Bentsifi andothers which Bentsifi’s editors believe are worthy of your attention. Entries are at thediscretion of the editor. To ensure your inclusion contact 0244697046 for a mandatory or enhanced entry.Regular Entry Name, location [optional]The following attract an investment for

a minimum of 3 insertions

Mandatory Entry Name, location, telephone contactEnhanced Entry Name, location, telephone and email contact,website address plus brief description [max 30 words] Call 0244 697046 for details.

AFRICANThe BukaOsuMarquis Tante Marie LaboneEu Grand EcuyerRing Road

ASIANChineseRoyal Dragon, La PalmDynasty Osu, Off Oxford Street Regal ChineseOsuImperial PekingGranada HotelHinloneLaboneWok InnAdabrakaPalace of the EastAwudome Tip TopOsuTIan TaiSakamanOriental VillageOsuKit KatDansomanDragon House 88OsuTsing TaoOsuDynastyOsuGolden Bowl Tema Community 5Golden Triangle East LegonMandarinAirport Residential AreaOceanComm. 12, TemaPalaceDzorwuluRegalOsuThe Landing

Kotoka AirportChina HouseOsu Danquah CirlceIndianHeritage IndianOsu,Off Salem Road near Osu Presby

GHANAIAN AzmerraRoman Ridge near BorstalCountry KitchenOsu, 2nd RingwayGhanaian Village La Palm HotelLe JardinRoman RidgeTop TasteKokomlemleSober SpotWest LegonMI KingTeshie-NunguaAsankaRing Road CentralBack PassAccra CentralAbba Fresh GardensNew AchimotaTwinstiAviance, AirportTrafixA canteen restaurant serving a variety of well prepared local dishes for lunch. Try their Jollof dish! National TheatreOdo Rice KokomlemleLabone Coffee ShopLaboneFavourite Fast FoodOsuNyaniba EstatesCornetKokomlemleAkapulkoMadina

Home TouchBurma Camp

LOCAL (CHOP BARS)Asanka LocalOsuAsanka Ring Road near Bus StopBlue GateOff Oxford St. El GringoOsu, Nyaniba Est.Heavy DoKokomlemleAuntie Grace Opp. Calvary Methodist

WESTERNFrenchLe MustLabone, Orphan Cres-centLa ChaumiereAirport Residential AreaLe MagellanNyaniba EstatesItalianBella Roma Osu, off Oxford Street

FUSION/INTERNATIONALMelting Moments Coffe shop/Cafe. Serves sandwiches, paninis, light lunch meals like salads, as well as some Ghana-ian fare. Excellent atmosphere. Order smoothies, coffes and cakes. Dade St, Labone. T. 0244.290.190

Cafe dez Aminext to Afrikiko, KandaCuppa CuppacinoCoffe shop/Cafe. Serves sandwiches, light lunch, salads, as well as some Ghana-ian fare.Great coffeeTSankofa Movenpick Hotel 1A @ Villa Monticello Airport ResidentialBranche Golden Tulip Accra Mukyiya

African Regent HotelZara Best Western Hotel Mansonia Royal Fiesta HotelWiaseHoliday Inn Hotel

SEAFOODCaptain HookCantomentsTaverna TropicanaNima Residential AreaThe Maya Cova New

Eating Out

PJ Recommends

Azmera Restaurant is a contradic-tion in terms. Entering the busy dining room that makes up this restaurant, you’ll be forgiven for thinking it is a ‘continental’ eatery. It’s a large room, though with the short ceiling, bright and clean with white walls and columns and cream floor tiles. Looking around, there’s a neat arrangement of seating in wooden furniture, and wrought iron bar and screens that create discreet nooks.The concept is simple; an upscale canteen complete with a food island where their popular lunch buffet is served every Friday. High on taste, the food here is indig-enous, and very heavy on tra-ditional West African fare; Fufu, banku, Atcheke, plantain, boiled and pounded yam, eba, the whole tropical carb lot, accomapanied with all manner of soups including abunubunu and akrantie, nkon-tomire, garden-eggs, egusi, and the kind of stuff. Prices are a little above average, with a typical plate costing GhCThe waiting staff makes the whole Azmera experience almost al-ways festive, with, particularly the waitresses, welcoming diners clad

in traditional Ghanaian costume complete with bead jewelry. It’s a pretty sight but when you are hungry, the strutting irritates! And although pricey, they get the food right.

AZMERAArtist Alliance Gallery, La

CONTEMPORARYFast FoodKFCOsu, Oxford StreetBus StopRing Road CentralFrankiesOsu, Oxford StreetPapayeOsu, Oxford StreetChicken Republic

Osu, Oxford StreetOriental DelightNorth KaneshieCoolandKokomlemleGold HouseDansomanChick ‘N’ Lick ‘N’OsuChurcheese LaboneFoods InnOsu

Foods InnCantonments 37FrankiesOsuMr. Bigg’sK. Nkrumah CirclePapayeSpintex RoadPapayNorth Kaneshie


Escape

Ghana’s Vacation Paradise

Afrikiko Hotel, Akosombo

Short BreaksAlways tranquil, the Afrikiko Riverside Resort at Akosombo, now under new management - Hotels and Leisure Africa (HALA) is a delightful garden facility which is always an experi-ence to savour.

Focused on improving its services, facilities with an aim to providing a competitive and convenient option for guests to enjoy themselves in a most beautiful, the new managers intend to continue the experi-ence of a relaxing and peace-ful environment; the perfect paradise get-away.Enjoy our boat rides to the Ako-sombo hydro-electric dam sites, or south to the Adomi bridge, as you partake in meals on the boat while you luxuriate in a glass or wine, and some canapes while taking in the scenery!Within the beautiful gardens are is a swimming pool for both

adults and children, and a bar from where you can get all kinds of drinks, The kitchens serves some scrumptious seafood. The bedrooms are spcious and en-suite, and are spread apart enough for guests to have their own peace of space. Dine in the evening by candlelight at the river-front as you feast your eyes on the silluette of the serene mountains on the shimmering water.

Manicured lawns, bou-ganvilia and palm trees set the mood at this riverside paradise which is a great weekend get-away owing to its prox-imity to Accra - just an hour away.

Vacation Par-adise


GETTING AROUND

New road arrangements; one-way systems and fly-overs, supposed to help to ease traffic in the inner city, doesn’t seem to be working! The traffic is getting worse! Nonetheless, getting around in the Central Business District is now fairly easy. Once you know a landmark near your destination - street names are not popular – you can get to where you want to go quite easily. Ask for which neigh-bourhood you’re going, and the nearest landmark. By Bus: Several mini buses and Lorries known as ‘Tro-tro’ run regular routes in the inner city, and while congested, it is the most inexpensive way to travel. The Metro Mass Transport service, recently introduced large buses run on many routes too. By Taxi: The distinctive Ghana taxi - with yellow painted mud guards- are in plenty and run a

shared, or hire

service called

‘dropping’. The shared service picks and drops passengers along a particular route while the hire service, which any taxi would usu-ally oblige, takes passengers directly to their destination. You must, however, determine what you pay before embark-ing on your journey. Different rates apply for different trips, but the current hourly rate for taxi is between GhC8 per hour for more than 5 hours and GhC10 for less. By Car: While traveling by car is fairly easy, many visitors find driving in inner Accra, cumber-some. Many commercial driv-ers flaunt traffic regulations and while this rarely results in serious accidents, it can be frustrating. Many car rental companies in town provide drivers as well, and this may be a better alternative. Contact the Car Rental Association of Ghana on, or the Accra Visitor Service, 0244.69.7046 for a

rec-om-

mendation.On Foot: Recent improve-

ments in clearly demarcated pavements have helped to make walking, which is the cheapest way to get around, a lot more easy. The only snug may be the heat of the scorch-ing sun if you are not well protected. So get your straw hat and sunglasses out! Be careful though, particularly in the Central Business District, as the many other pedestrians can push you onto the road. Always try to walk facing on-coming traffic.Inter-City TravelA number of private coach companies run a schedule ser-vice to all the regional capitals, and most major other towns. Also, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has buses that ply major towns. There are also ‘Fast Cars’, hatchback saloons that go very fast to the destination for about twice the price of the regular schedule routes. Be advised not to take them after dark. Many begin their journey at the major lorry station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATIONLocal Time Ghana is on one time zone; Greenwich Mean Time. Driving License: Visitors plan-ning to drive or hire a car must have an international Drivers License. Electricity: Most hotels have 3-pin or 2-pin sockets op-erating at 220 volts which accept British and European standard plugs. What To Wear: It is really just hot all year round, but in January and February, the dry Hamattan wind blows in from the Sahara. Otherwise, it is generally humid in the south and hot/dry upcoun-try in the north, so wear natural fiber materials like cotton, linen.

VISITOR SERVICESTo Help You The Accra Visitor Service (t. 0244.69.7046) provides a city concierge service and can help you plan an itinerary for an ex-cursion, and generally point you in the right direction.

AIRLINES (0302)

Afriqiyah 252.465

Air Burkina 768.892

Air Ivoire 765.377

Air Namibia 766.602

Alitalia 769.226

American Airlines 688.804

Antrak Air 765.377

Arik Air 0273.65.5657

British Airways 214.970

Cathay Pacific 236.118

City Link 770.445

Delta Airlines 213.111

Egypt Air 773.537

Emirates 213.131

Ethiopian Airlines 664.856

Kenya Airways 214.700

KLM 785.900

Lufthansa Airline 243.893

Middle East Airlines 230.867

Royal Air Maroc 787.182

South African 783.564

Virgin Atlantic 215.215

Virgin Nigeria 823.003

EMBASSIES (0302)

Afghanistan 777.719

Andorra 228.571

Australia 7012.961

Austria 783.368

Bangladesh 25.017

Belgium 762.281

Benin 774.889

Brazil 774.908

Bulgaria 772.404

Burkina Faso 221.988

Canada 211.525

China 777.073

Comoros 228.422

Cote d’Ivoire 774.611

Cuba 765.946

Czech Republic 223.540

Denmark 254.373

Egypt 776.854

European Union 774.094

France 214.550

Germany 221.311

Guinea 777.921

Hungary 400.770

India 775.601

Iran 760.521

Iraq 221.665

Israel 0242.15.1137

Italy 775.621

Japan 765.060

Consulate of Jordan 221.203

Korea (DPRK) 760.205

Korea (ROK) 777.533

Lebanon 776.727

Liberia 775.641

Libya 774.819

Malaysia 763.691

Mali 663.276

Morocco 775.669

Netherlands 214.350

Niger 224.962

Nigeria 778.158

Norway 220.101

Pakistan 0243.57.6446

Palestine 778.736

Philippines 500.907

Russia 775.611

Rwanda 251.894

Saudi Arabia 774.311

Sierra Leone 769.190

South Africa 740.450

Spain 774.004

Sweden 773.145

Switzerland 228.125

Togo 777.950

Turkey 221.665

United Kingdom 221.645

U.S.A 741.000

Zimbabwe 780.958

NON-GOV. ORG. (0302)

Action Aid Ghana 764.931

Action on Disability

& Development 022.213

ADRA 220.779

Aid to Artisans (ATAG) 771.375

Asso. of Africa Universities 774.495

Care International 225.920

Catholic Relief Services 776.188

Child Aid 780.315

Christian Children’s

Fund of Canada (CCFC) 022.004

Citizens Dev. Solutions 771.426

Creative NGO 0246.54.1996

Freedom from Hunger 774.828

Freidrich Ebert Foundation 772.471

Freidrich Neumann F’tion 778.066

Friends of the Earth 225.963

Habitat for Humanity 231.268

Help Age 778.896

IN Network Ghana 236.582

Infanta Malaria Prevention

Foundation 225.813

International Executive Services

Corps (IESC) 771.426

Osu Library Fund 0277.45.2380

Oxfam Ghana 764.931

Plan International 778.039

Ricerca e Cooperazione 782.098

Sight Savers Int 774.210

SOS Children’s Village 222.867

Stop Killing Us 0209.17.8345

Techno Serve 773.873

US Peace Corps 775.984

VSO Ghana 220.471

Wateraid Ghana 776.440

West African Aids

Foundation (WAAF) 761.294

World Vision Int. 232.601INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES (0302)

Agence Francaise 773.840

CIDA 211.525

DANIDA 226.972

DED 772.064

DFID 253.283

FAO 666.851

GTZ) 777.375

IMF 666.031

JICA 760.781

OATUU 774.531

SNV 776.198

UNICEF 777.972

UNDP 773.890

UNESCO 765.499

UNHCR 777.419

UN Info Centre 665.511

UNFPA 773.890

USAID 741.200

WHO 763.918

GHANA GOV. (0302)

Assoc of Ghana Industries 779.023

Bank of Ghana 666.902

Ghana Cocoa Board 661.912

Export Promotion Council 683.153

GIPC 665.127

Minerals Commission 772.783

Political Resources 222.153

National Development

Planning Commission 664.942

Civil Aviation Authority 776.171

Energy Commission 400.310

Meteorological Services 701.2520

Police Service 228112

DIRECTORY

We welcome info. on your event to us for publication. Please en-sure it reaches us by the 15th of the preceding month of the date of your event. Subject to the editor’s discretion. Please send all information to bentsifi@gmail.

com and we will be happy to pub-lish it for you. For editorial and promotional enquiries, please call 0244 .69.7046

ROTARY CLUBS: MeetingsAccra La Beach Hotel Mon12.30pmAccra North African Regent Hotel Mon 6pmAccra South African Regent Hotel Tue 6pmRing Road Central African Regent Hotel Tue 6pmTema Rotary Centre, Tema Tue 6.30pmAccra Airport African Regent Hotel Wed 6pmAccra Ridge Maxlot Hotel Wed 7pmAccra West Golden Tulip Wed 12.30pmAccra Achimota Nogahil Hotel Thurs 6pmAccra East African Regent Hotel Thurs pmAccra Labone Maxlot Hotel Thurs 6pmOsu RE Midindi Hotel Thurs 12.30pmTema Meredian Rotary Centre, Tema Thurs 6pmAccra Adenta Jeffking Palace Hotel Sun 6pm

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