Awoko Newspaper » Entertainment

US Embassy assures the Press of continuous support come 2012

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:57:15 +0000

The Public Affairs Officer, United States Embassy, Mark P. Carr, has assured the media in Sierra Leone of the Embassy’s continuous support.
He made the statement while taking dinner with some media practitioners at the Capital Hotel, along Hangha Road in Kenema City.
In her statement, the Program Assistant Public Affairs Section of US Embassy, Marilyn Kamara, said there is not much work done in the country in terms of investigative journalism and therefore they want to work with the media in the area of ethics in journalism, adding that they have to reach out to the public on good journalism.
She asked how many journalists in Sierra Leone will come up with a story today and follow it to the end?
She said most journalists start with a story but in the next one week you don’t know what comes after, sometimes the story ends there which, she said, is not investigative journalism.
Kamara also said a journalist has to pursue the story to the end and let the people have the closure of the story, adding that journalists have the obligation to inform the public about happenings in society.
The Station Manager of Eastern Radio in Kenema, Ahmed G. Kallon, said they all have the same background, but they have different intentions of going into the business.
“We in the provinces actually deem it necessary to serve the information needs of our people; it is not like in the capital City where everything is money.
The Embassy is saying that they want the public to know what they are doing as an Embassy in Sierra Leone.
“People in this region might be very much interested to know what the American Embassy is doing in the country and that journalists in the provinces will love to have information about US Embassy which they will relay to the community in the regions,” said Ahmed Kallon.
The Eastern Radio Station Manager has offered air space to the American Embassy known as ‘Embassy Hour’ on a weekly basis in which the Consular or any other staff of the Embassy will talk to the people in the eastern region wherein the masses will have the opportunity to ask questions and get adequate answers to them.
“As journalists we don’t want to limit our people until they go to Freetown before they get information about their travelling, Diversity Visa, among others, but if they can access information from their localities on radio, there is no need for them to go to Freetown,” he said.
The Head of the Eastern Radio branch in the diamondiferous town of Tongo Field, Alice Mustapha, said it is very difficult to access information in that part of the country.
She stated that the Freedom of Information Bill has not gone through successfully yet, adding that when it is enacted, “people would be mandated to talk to the press”.
The Chairman of SLAJ East, Mohamed Vandi, called on the American Embassy and other agencies wishing to offer any assistance to the media in Sierra Leone to do so through SLAJ, because it knows the training needs of all journalists in the country.
The Public Affairs Officer, Embassy of the United States of America, Mark P. Carr, said as an Embassy they don’t just want to be in Freetown only, but they want to get out to all in the provinces.
He said USAID is working with (IFES) International Foundation for Electoral Systems and there will be a series of civic education programs and trainings, and that some of the workshops will involve journalists.
He revealed that at the end of August; Ibrahim Tommy will come on board so that the Embassy will have a full time person working on media relations, and will come up with specific programs for journalists.
Mark Carr expressed happiness in getting in touch with journalists in the provinces, adding that he is always impressed by their standard of professionalism.

Jimmy Cliff says “Sierra Leone is my home”

admin — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 06:32:55 +0000

Jamaican reggae legend and film actor; Jimmy Cliff has disclosed that Sierra Leone is his mother land considering the fact that his ancestors came from Africa where they were taken by slave masters and were later resettled in Caribbean after the abolition of slave trade.
Jimmy Cliff came to Sierra Leone as a guest of honour for the 2010 ECOWAS Peace Pageant that was held on the 13th November, 2010. This is his second visit to the West African state that was once referred to as the “Province of Freedom” after his first visit in 1977.
Speaking to the media at a brief meeting the Reggae legend said: “I am happy to be home and I want to liberate the minds of my brothers and sisters through music and it is my hope that my presence here in Sierra Leone will inspire the youths” He added.
He encouraged Sierra Leoneans to be proud of their culture and believe in themselves.
“As a people we need to remember who we are and never to allow our culture to be dominated by foreign culture” Jimmy urged.
His performance was inspiring and mesmerizing as the entire audience at the ECWAS Peace Pageant including Ministers of Government and other important dignitaries stood up to dance to his music as he performed on stage.
His presence in Sierra Leone has by all means gone a long way in inspiring our young musicians and young people in particular to believe in themselves.
Jimmy Cliff whose original name is James Chambers was born on 1st April 1948 in Somerton District, St. James, Jamaica. He began writing songs while still at primary school in St. James. He is a reggae musician and actor. He is the only currently living musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts and sciences.
He is best known among mainstream audiences for songs such as “Sitting in Limbo,” “You Can Get it if you really want,” and “Many Rivers to Cross”. Jimmy Cliff was one of five performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Outside of the reggae world, he is probably best known for his film appearance in “The Harder They Come”.
Salone came 3rd in ECOWAS Peace Pageant
The two contestants that represented Sierra Leone in the 3rd Edition of ECOWAS Peace Pageant that was held in Freetown on the 13th November, 2010 did remarkably well as they succeeded in progressing to the semi final stage of 10 out of 28 contestants.
Margret Murri and Stella Bangura who made their first major appearances in such a high profile event for the first time did their best to make Sierra Leoneans proud despite the limited time they had to prepare for the contest.
Stella was unable to progress to the final stage but Margret did and she ended up being the 2nd runner.
Shirley Nwangere from Ghana took the first position while Matel Sow of Senegal was 1st runner up.
The Peace Pageant showcased the rich culture of Africa as contestants presented themselves in beautiful African dresses that distinctively portrayed the way of life of certain tribes across the region.
There was a question and answer session for the 10 Semi finalists and was followed by a presentation of peace messages upon which the five finalists were selected by the Judges.
The theme for this year’s Peace Pageant was “Peace and Development”
By William Freeman

Accordionist in Kailahun laments demise of Salone’s Cultural Music

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:32:58 +0000

The classical sounds of typical Sierra Leonean music are no longer to be heard in the country’s once rich entertainment industry while Western style of music has completely crushed that beautiful sound we used to hear from people like the great Salia Koroma of blessed memory.
Our music industry is no longer catering for the aged for the simple fact that our so called artists have been Europeanized and has led to the transformation of our traditional and country rhythms in Hip Hop lyrics that make no sense to our Mothers and Fathers in their sixties and seventies.
In an effort to rediscover Sierra Leone’s traditional country music, Awoko’s entertainment Desk visited Kailahun where we discovered the only surviving accordionist trained by the late Salia Koroma of Kenema District, Vandi Baker.
Silia Koroma was a renowned accordionist that was admired by many for his talent in projecting the Mende culture through music, accompanied by his perfection in handling the accordion. He represented the country around the world.
In a recent interview with Vandi Baker in Kailahun, he says “people do not respect our cultural music anymore though the music is culturally educative, informative and entertaining.”
Vandi said he admired Silia Koroma so much that he became an apprentice to him in the 60s.
“I entertained late Siaka Steven and a host of heads of states during a visit to Freetown. The Cuban leader Fidel Castro even invited me to visit his country but due to jealousy my traveling ticket was sold to one student to study in Cuba.” He narrated.
The sixty eight year old Vandi Baker expressed regret that no one is interested in typical accordion accompanied music like what he does as a profession.
He is currently earning his living by playing his accordion on party and wedding celebrations and occasionally plays for visitors to Kailahun.
After the interview he entertained many onlookers to their amusement for which he gathered few Leones. He says Presidents Koroma’s call to eat, drink, dress and dance like Sierra Leoneans has not been practiced by most Sierra Leoneans. Vandi Baker recalled visiting Germany and other parts of the world with the Sierra Leone Dance Troop on exhibitions and other contests.
By William Freeman

Morgan Heritage set to storm Salone in December

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:42:24 +0000

Awoko’s Entertainment Desk has been reliably informed that one of Jamaica’s highly celebrated Reggae Band and arguably the best in the world, Morgan Heritage is set to visit Sierra Leone in December where they will stage a two-day reggae concert.
The Freetown City Council has disclosed that they are bringing the reggae legends to the country for the first time after an unsuccessful attempt by another organization to lure the Morgan Heritage into visiting Sierra Leone some time in 2009.
This press has also been reliably informed that the Freetown City Council will spend nothing less than $US200, 000 including $91,000 just to get the band committed to the contract to visit and perform for the Sierra Leonean public.
The two-day concert is scheduled to take place at the National Stadium on the 28th and 29th December.
Africell a leading mobile telecommunication company in Sierra Leone is a major sponsor of this event and the company has planned to give the FCC the sum of $US 1,500 as a sponsorship package.
The Freetown City Council has already launched a promotional campaign to sensitize the public about the coming of Morgan Heritage.
The visit of Morgan Heritage will serve as a source of inspiration to many musicians posing to be reggae artists and it will also serve as a sigh of relief and satisfaction to reggae fans that have been hungry to see this fantastic Band.

Brief History of Morgan Heritage
Morgan Heritage, Popularly referred to as ‘reggae royalty’ the group began recording with their father Denroy Morgan, one of the founding fathers of reggae music in 1990, at his Brooklyn studio, US. Their debut single, Wonderful World and subsequent album, “growing up” saw them gain popularity.
However, their first big break came a year later when they performed at Reggae Sunsplash which saw them secure a recording deal at MCA, releasing their album Miracle in 1994 that received criticism for its overly pop influenced.
Morgan Heritage later moved back to Jamaica with their father and three of their members left. However they never gave up. It was while touring the Ivory Coast in 1995, that they rediscovered their musical roots. Their 1997 album, Protect Us Jah, did not do well. The group’s membership later dwindled to five.
Not willing to give up, they began working with famed reggae producers Bobby Dixon and Lloyd James, resulting in the release of their critically acclaimed album, “Protect Us Jah”. Others that followed included One Calling, the spiritually inclined Don’t Haffi Dread, including three compilation live albums. The rest include three in One, Full Circle and Mission In Progress. They have released two successful DVDs, Live In London and across Europe.
Most Sierra Leoneans are of the belief that the family linage of Morgan Heritage could be traced in Sierra Leone and the Mayor of Freetown City Council; Georg Herbert Williams is not an exception to this allegory as he described the visit as a home coming of the Morgan Heritage.
By William Freeman

With 3 weeks left for ECOWAS Peace Pageant… Stella and Margret vow to make Salone proud

admin — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:26:25 +0000

As Sierra Leone prepares to host the forth coming ECOWAS Peace pageant on the 13th November, 2010 in Freetown, the two contestants that will be representing the country; Stella Bangura and Margret Murray have expressed their determination to make Sierra Leone proud as the duo is set to exhibit their talents and magnificent beauty in the contest. In an exclusive interview with Awoko’s Entertainment Desk, the two contestants told this press that they feel proud to be honoured with the golden opportunity to represent their beautiful country Sierra Leone in the pageant.
Stella Bangura, 21 is presently a third year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone.
She is new in pageantry but her brilliancy and ability to articulate very well in English combined with her magnificent beauty are conspicuous among many reasons why she was chosen as number 1 among six others during the final audition. “I am getting myself ready physically, mentally and psychologically and I am trying to be in the best shape so that I can stand up against the other ladies from the fifteen participating countries” Stella told Awoko.Stella said she might not know what exactly the judges will be looking for but promised that she will do her best to represent her country.
“If I don’t win Margret will definitely win because at the end it’s all about Sierra Leone” Stella assured Sierra Leoneans.
The second lady that will be representing Sierra Leone; Margret Murray, 22 has just been enrolled into the Department of Mass Communication, Fourah Bay College to commence a B.A Honours degree programme. She is entering into pageantry for the first time but her sparkling beauty, intelligence and eloquence in the use of the Queen’s Language are factors that have catapulted her to such an enviable position to represent her country in a regional Peace Pageant.
“This is the first time I am taking part in a beauty pageant but I know I have all what it takes to win the Peace Pageant and make Sierra Leone proud because whosoever wins will automatically be crowned as a Peace Ambassador for ECOWAS” She assured”.
Margret went further to intimate Awoko that they are both confident and determined to take Sierra Leone to the next level through pageantry.
As she expressed her determination Margret said: “I want to change the perspective of people out there about Sierra Leone. I want them to see my country as a beautiful nation with beautiful people and a rich culture”
Regardless of the fact that Stella and Margret are new in pageantry they are however, confident that they can do it come November 13th at the Miatta Conference Centre where 30 beautiful ladies from 15 ECOWAS States will be competing for the ultimate position of ECOWAS Peace Ambassador for the next one year.
They called on the unwavering support of Sierra Leoneans to help them achieve their dreams.
By William Freetown

Ballanta Academy promotes Salone’s indigenous music

admin — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:23:27 +0000

The Ballanta Academy of Music on Wednesday 20th October, 2010 staged a spectacular Afrik Musik Event which showcased the beauty of Sierra Leone’s traditional music.
The concert was sponsored by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and it featured musical performances that were complemented with background information about instruments, tribes and dance common among a particular tribe.
A mixture of traditional music like Goombay, Milo- Jazz, Mende Shegbureh music, Bubu Music and African Ballet were performed by various traditional music groups.
Speaking to Awoko during the show, Jaiah Kemokai a Music Educator at Ballanta Academy of music said Sierra Leone has a rich culture particularly in music but most people seem to have abandoned their culture due to the influence of some other imported culture. The Music Educator said the Academy decided to stage the concert as a move towards reviving the typical traditional music Sierra Leone was known for in the past decades.
Little kids as young as four from the Lilli Ballanta were among performers that provided a mesmerizing scene at the British Council as they demonstrated their skills in singing and dancing to the admiration of spectators. The Academy called on the support of Sierra Leoneans and other international partners to boost their effort in resurrecting the countries traditional music which seen to be going down the drain.

Star Zero to release new album

admin — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:08:58 +0000

One of Sierra Leone’s contemporary female musical icons; Linda Samai aka Star Zero is set to hit the entertainment world with one of the hottest albums ever in the history of Sierra Leone Music.
Speaking to Awoko Entertainment Desk the attractively mesmerizing and multitalented female dance hall star with a sparkling beauty disclosed she is presently doing the final touches on her album which she has already titled as “Money on Me”.
The album comprises twelve songs and three of those songs are already out. One of the songs “Turn back on me” has already started capturing the minds of music lovers. She told Awoko entertainment that the album will be out by the end of October.
Explaining why the title “Money on me” Star Zero said it is because of the struggle she went through to put her album together with the help of God as she hasn’t got a sponsor neither a manager.
“I want people to spend money on me so that I can make Salone proud, that is why I titled my album Money on me” She stated.
“Watch out for my album, it’s going to be hot” She announced.
She called on the financial and moral support of meaningful music loving Sierra Leoneans to enable her realize her dream.
Star Zero grew up in Music as her father Kenya Samai was a member of the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Military Band. She intimated Awoko that when she was a kid she used to sit by her father while he composed music for his band and she used to sing together with her father.
She was even more talented in dancing as she became a star at Methodist Girls High School during her days when where she exhibited her dancing talent to the admiration of her colleagues and teachers whenever they had activities like picnics and other social functions. “Even when I left school I continued with my ambition as I was dancing and miming in night clubs and disco-rammers”. She said.
Star Zero said it was during one of her miming performances that she was sported by one of Sierra Leones renowned producers; Sahr Issa who saw the potential in her and later introduced her to the studio. She said it was Sahr Issa that gave her the name Star Zero because she was a star who started from ZERO.
When I started music I was introduced to a group called Ladies Day Out (LDO) which compressed Vida, Lady Fillie, Julie and Thelma but Vida later decided to leave the group and I was called to join the three in 2004.
“We produced one album together before Lady Fillie decided to leave the group and the three of us remaining later decided to split and everybody went her own way”.
As a solo artist Star Zero did her first album which included songs like “If ar bin get, Vitamin S, Street life and a host of others. This she said was her spring board in becoming a star in the music industry.
In one of her songs “Lighter” in her second solo albums titled “girl pikin wahala” caused a lot of noise in the country and dominated the local musical chart.
She teamed up with M2 and Lady F to do an album titled “Phone Light”
She has won four awards in her career including best female performer, best female hip hop, best female Dance hall and best Raga in the SLMTV awards.She has also represented Sierra Leone internationally which shows the level of experience she has gained over the years.
By William Freeman

Refugee All Stars – from Sierra Leone to New Orleans and back

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:40:23 +0000

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars are back with a second album, Rise & Shine. It’s a collection of traditional west African music and reggae, recorded together with New Orleans musicians. The band extends its interests beyond music with a new project, “We Own TV”, training young Sierra Leoneans in documentary making.
Four years after the successful documentary and first album Living like a refugee, the Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars present an album they first recorded in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, before heading for New Orleans and Piety street studios for a finishing touch orchestrated by producer, Steve Berlin. “New Orleans was the ideal place to finish the album because we are musicians who really like to record live, not like others who record just with computers,” explains Reuben Koroma, the lead singer who set up the band. “Then, there are so many good instrumentalists in New Orleans, like Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews and the Bonerama Horns.”
He feels that the music of New Orleans contains a lot of African elements like the way they “blow their horns” which has “some kind of African feeling”.
The band was set up around 1998 when the band was living in a refugee camp in Guinea Conakry, after having fled Sierra Leone’s civil war which lasted between 1991 and 2002.
This episode of their life is captured in the documentary Living like a refugee made by American film-makers Banker White and Zach Niles. It follows the band over three years, from the Guinean refugee camps back to Sierra Leone, where they finally realise the dream of recording their first studio album.
Through the film Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have been able to launch an international musical career, while drawing the accolades of Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Ice Cube (one of the executive producers of the film), and Joe Perry. The band is rather an exception in Sierra Leone’s music scene. Most musicians can hardly earn a living playing music alone.
“We have a lot of very good musicians but most of them do not have the adequate facilities needed,” Koroma says. “Most musicians do not have good instruments, there are no good studios for live recording, there are no promoters or publishers willing to spend their money to get professionally recorded music.”
Black Nature, whose real name is Al Haji Jeffery Kamara, is the youngest member of the band. He looks up to Reuben as his mentor, the man who took him under his wing in the refugee camp after he lost his family to the war. Black Nature now lives in the USA, in San Francisco precisely. Not because he doesn’t like his native Sierra Leone but because the US offers more scope to musicians.
In an attempt to share what life brought his way, Black Nature created We Own
By Zeenat Hansrod