Komla Dumor must be accorded a state funeral - GJA proposes

The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has suggested that the late Komla Afeke Dumor – whom the Association describes as Ghana’s best journalist in recent times – should be accorded a state funeral.

The GJA added that the recipient of its flagship award in 2003 must be posthumously awarded national honours deserving of a professional hero.

The suggestions were contained in a statement issued on Sunday, January 19, 2014 and signed by the Association’s President, Dr Roland Affail Monney, as regards the demise of the BBC World TV presenter.

“In appreciation for his unparalleled achievement nationally and huge impact internationally, the GJA propose that Komla Dumor be accorded a state funeral and awarded posthumously a prestigious national honours deserving of a professional hero.” Read below the full,unedited statement from the
GJA: STATEMENT OF GJA ON KOMLA DUMOR

The Media community in Ghana is struggling to come to terms with the reality that Komla Dumor of BBC and Joy FM fame is dead.

Indeed 18th January, 2014 will go down in history as one of the saddest days in Ghanaian journalism, the day we lost one of our purest gems at all times.

For ten years Komla Dumor did justice to his professional mettle at Joyfm where he gave its Super Morning Show a superlative quality.

He also showed his knack for investigative journalism and will stop at nothing to expose dark spots in high political circles and hold people in position or power and responsibility to account.

In all these Komla Dumor displayed an impeccable sense of independence and incredible commitment to objectivity. His fearless disposition and command of the English language were also extra ordinary.

It was natural therefore, when Komla Dumor won the GJA Journalist in 2003.

It was also not surprising when his professional excellence catapulted him unto the world stage precisely the BBC World Service.

In his capacity as the African anchor on the BBC World Service Komla Dumor held aloft the flag of Ghanaian journalism and projected the country's image beyond measure.

By his sudden death Ghana has been robbed of a broadcaster par excellence and its best journalist in recent memory.

In appreciation for his unparalleled achievement nationally and huge impact internationally, the GJA propose that Komla Dumor be accorded a state funeral and awarded posthumously a prestigious national honours deserving of a professional hero. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Mrs.

Kwansema Dumor, his three children, his father Prof. Ernest Dumor and the entire family.

Meanwhile the GJA and the family of Komla Dumor will open a book of condolence at the Ghana International Press Centre from tomorrow Monday 20th January 2014 at 10am.

Source: Tv3network.com

BOLA RAY'S EMPIRE RADIO STRIKES PARTNERSHIP WITH JOY FM

Empire 102.7 FM , a new radio station in Takoradi owned by Kwabena Anokye Adisi popularly known as Bola Ray has been boosted with a strategic partnership with Joy FM as it begins regular programming on Monday, January 20, 2014.

The partnership will see Empire transmit to its listeners, some of the award winning programmes. on the Super station Joy 99.7 FM.

This was confirmed by the Managers at Joy FM in an interaction with Myjoyonline.com.
All the major news bulletins on Joy FM, including Top Story will be aired on Empire FM from Monday January 20, 2014.

The strategic deal will as much prove crucially beneficial to Empire which is seeking to be market leaders in Takoradi as Joy FM has been in Accra.

The Business Manager at Empire FM Frank Odoom, is already reveling in the partnership and cannot wait for regular programming to begin on Monday.

"I can confirm that Empire FM has been able to reach an agreement with Multimedia group.

One of the flagship brands and to be specific Joy FM in a kind of collaboration where we will pick some content from Joy and relay it on Empire platform," Odoom said.
"It gives us the opportunity to enrich our on air content and also give Joy FM an opportunity to extend their brand,"

Entertainment & Lifestyle

Frank Odoom said programming at Empire FM will not be cluttered by the hurly-burly of Ghana's day-to-day politics as appears to be the trend in the industry.

Empire's unique selling point will be quite distinct from competitors, Odoom announced and it will be centred on Entertainment and lifestyle. "We are an entertainment and lifestyle station.

It is for a market group who are not so much leaning towards politics or current affairs but who are rather leaning towards an entertainment and lifestyle led content.

"We are also looking at doing more music and less of talking," he promised.

While the station will begin airing the content from Joy FM from tomorrow, the locally generated programmes, which Odoom described as thoroughly exciting and tailor made for listeners in Takoradi will be introduced from February 1.

Presenters with gravitas

Frank Odoom will not disclose some of the big names that will be caressing the consoles and whose voices will mesmerize listeners once thestation moves into full gear.

He was emphatic however that "presenters with gravitas," just like Bola Ray is on Joy FM are ready to blaze the trail.

Is “Tonga” on the lifeline for VGMA 2014?

Arguably, the hottest song of the moment is “Tonga” by Joey B, featuring Sarkodie.

The song has been very popular especially after its release in the mid of December when the Christmas festivities were rife.

The song has received some condemnations due to its lyrical content which seemingly smacks of some sexually explicit words.

While people are referring to the word “Tonga” in a metaphorical sense as representing the Vagina, the owner of the song, Joey B, says it is an acronym for “The Only Nice Girl Around”.

A report in the media indicated that some radio stations in Takoradi have banned the airplay of “Tonga” due to its lyrical content. Meanwhile, Joey B keeps defending the lyrics of the song even though the report says he agreed to release an edited version for radio.

The Point At the press launch of the Vodafone Ghana Music
Awards 2014, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade who is the Executive Director of Charter House emphatically said they would only reward music that is morally sound i.e. they would reject every song that has sexually explicit or violent lyrics.

She added that their mandate is to endorse songs and it is the right thing to do in order to promote the industry. When it comes to Tonga, there are two questions involved.

Is the Board going to examine the lyrics literally for sexually explicit words to disqualify it or are they going to make inferences as the public is doing except Joey B?

Mrs. Ayoade didn’t just end there, she advised musicians to create radio edit songs to make it through the nominations.

What if the DJs play the “explicit” song from December till date and then an unknown lyrically edited version with its originality maintained, is entered tomorrow, is it going to be considered objectively over the unedited one for nomination?

If it would be considered, then why not create a radio edit version and avoid the controversies while winning the awards.

Source: Ismail Akwei-GhanaWeb