Friday, 11th February, 2022
Page 4DAILY ANALYST Friday, 11th February, 2022EDITORIALKeep onmembers, GJA!We want to commend theGhana Journalists Association(GJA) for taking oninstitutions and individualswho continue to abusethe rights of journalists and radio presenterswhose only crime is doing their jobs.The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)has condemned the recent attack on a journalistworking with Connect FM, Eric NanaGyetuah, by some policemen in Takoradi.According to reports, some policemenbrutally assaulted Eric Nana Gyetuah who is aProducer at Connect FM in Takoradi for filmingthem in a public place.The victim finds it difficult to hear withthe right ear which also experiences occasionaldischarge.In a statement, the GJA applauded the dispatchwith which the IGP directed that a policeinvestigation be carried out into the case."We, however, expect nothing but speedyconclusion of the investigation into anotherbrazen act of impunity. Thereafter, the perpetratorsshould be punished to the fullestextent possible within the law," it stated.Furthermore, the GJA demanded an expeditiousinquiry into the alleged armed attackson Korle Adjator of Radio Ada."Again, we expect that the law will takeits course no matter how complex the issuesmight be. The magnitude and closeness of thetwo incidents send worrying signals, especially,to international media watchers whostill regard Ghana as a reference point of pressfreedom and democracy in Africa. We mustnot, and dare not slide further but rise higheron the league table of free media systems onthe continent and the world as a whole," itsaid.We on the Daily Analyst, believe this is theway to go because many individuals and organizationshave no regard for journalists in thiscountry.We believe if the GJA continues with thisaggressive advocacy, these organizations andindividuals who maltreat journalists, willcome back to their senses.The President of theECOWAS Commission,H.E. Jean-Claude KassiBrou received H.E.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey,Chair of the ECOWAS Councilof Ministers, May 4, 2021, at theECOWAS Commission Headquartersin Abuja, Nigeria.Madam Botchwey was at theECOWAS Commission for a specialsession on the ongoing InstitutionalReforms in ECOWAS. This isin view of the upcoming mid-yearstatutory meetings in June 2021.She and her delegation werebriefed on the progress of the InstitutionalReform process by theThe largest oppositionparty in the country,the National DemocraticCongress (NDC)has assured Ghanaiansthat, it will abolish the controversiale-levy tax within 100days in office if it forms the nextgovernment in 2024.Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia,General Secretary of the oppositionNational Democratic Congress(NDC) gave the assuranceyesterday when some membersof the party and some interestgroups hit the street to protestthe introduction of the E-levyBill in parliament.BackgroundMinister for Finance, KenOfori Atta, has called on thegeneral public to support thecontroversial Electronic Levyas it will reduce Ghana’s dependenceon loans and grants.As part of ways to revive theeconomy government introducedthe Electronic-levy to undertakedevelopmental projects.Speaking at GovernmentTownhall meetings on theThe National InsuranceCommission (NIC) hashinted that it will publicisethe names of allinsurance companiesin good standing in the country.This has become necessarydue to the growing concernsfrom the public over fake andunderperforming insurancecases in the country.This was announced by theCentral Regional Manager of theNational Insurance Commission(NIC) Mrs. Nicholina AdumuahLadzekpo at Agona Swedru in theCentral region.The NIC is the governmentalbody that regulates all insurancecompanies and related issues inthe country.The program, which wasattended by drivers, car owners,insurance companies, and thegeneral public was to educateE-levy proposal in Takoradi onWednesday 2nd February 2022,Ken Ofori Atta stated that thetotal independence and abilityto fund Ghana’s future dependson the e-levy.However, addressing protestorsat the “Yentua” demonstrationin Accra yesterday, Mr. JohnsonAsiedu Nketia, stated thatthe NPP government is insensitiveto the plight of Ghanaiansand sensitize stakeholders onthe need to adhere to insurancerules and regulations and alsoreport to them (NIC) insurancebreaches by insurance providersand drivers.She also appealed to drivershence the imposition of E-levy.“Let me tell you all right nowthat in the unlikely event thee-levy is passed, we will abolishit and it will be the first tax tobe abolished within the first 100days of a future NDC governmentbecause we don’t see it as atax, it is daylight robbery, this isnot taxation”“That is not to say we willnot be taking other taxes but weare saying this is thievery, it isnot tax based on any production,it’s not tax based on any valueaddition, it is daylight robbery,taking people’s capital fromtheir pockets because they chosenot to keep the money in theirpockets but to keep it on MOMOwallets,” he told protesters.Deputy Youth Organiserof the NDC Edem Agbana toldpressmen at the #Yentua thatthe organizers of the demonstrationhad extensive discussionswith the police the pastcouple of days to ensure that thedemonstration was violent-free.NIC to get tough oninsurance companiesto be circumspect when driving.According to the NIC CRmanager, one can authenticatethe insurance of the vehicle heor she is boarding by dialing*920*57# to ensure we are allsafe.
DAILY ANALYSTFriday, 11th February, 2022 Page 5PerspectiveEkow Quandzie writes:Detty December inGhana is simply theenjoyment level inAccra every December.It is always thattime of the year that the worldcomes to Ghana.It is a fine opportunity forthe diaspora to connect withtheir roots – cultural diversity,heritage and “new skuul”lifestyles like pop culture, musicand food.With the elevation of all thetourism value chain elementscoupled with Africa being thenew market target, many companiesare increasingly makingtheir brands relevant to the GenZ and Millennials.In no particular order, theseare the brands that came outDecember.Daily PaperDaily Paper is an African-inspiredfashion brand knownfor its ready-to-wear garmentsand accessories with a creativedirection fueled by rich Africanculture wrapped in contemporarydesigns.The brand has truly becomeone of the fastest growing fashionbrands in Africa and Europe,offering timeless designs acrossaccessories, streetwear and arange of capsules across theseason.During December, Daily Paperwhich has truly become oneof the fastest growing fashionbrands in Africa and Europe,opened its sought-after pop-upshop in Accra to drive lovers ofstreetwear to their hub.The brand collaborated withother partners such as Off-White by the late Virgil Ablorh,Surf Ghana, Afrochella, NSG,Free The Youth among others tohost a line of activities such asparties, networking hangouts,football tournament and otherspecial curated events connectedto the culture.Free The YouthFree The Youth (FTY) is acollective of young creativesdetermined to empower youngAfricans in the area of streetstylefashion and culture.Started as a social mediaGhanaian street-style movement,FTY has now developedinto a multi-branched organisationwith the grand goalof promoting an art-based,youth-oriented movement forcreative freedom and communitydevelopment. It has graduallygrown to become the creativemouthpiece for young people.During the Christmas, theFTY opened its headquartersin Accra, a really impressivespace created as a hub forAfrican youth in Ghana. Thespace, according to the FTY, wasa physical representation ofAfrica’s unmistakable creativeevolution.That grand opening saw ahost of paneled talks, the openingof a Free The Youth store,as well as studio sessions andparties which saw likes of BlackSheriff, Chance The Rapper, VicMensa, Oxlade, Rema, KwesiArthur, Fuse ODG, Kofi Mole andothers passing through to catchthevibe.Ghana Tourism AuthorityThe Ghana Tourism Authority(GTA) is the lead state agencyin charge of implementing theDecember in Ghana campaign toits highest optimal points.Since 2019, the governmenthas had a deliberate tourismcampaign championed by theGTA to make Ghana the favouritedestination for Christmasvibes.With a master brand ‘Decemberin GH’, the GTA ensured thata large number of the events inDecember enjoyed a near perfectenabling environment to attractglobal attention to the country.“Thanks to the Ministry ofTourism, Arts and Culture (MO-TAC) under the able leadershipof Dr. Ibrahim Awal, this year’sactivations were carefully crafted– focusing on more outdooractivities bearing in mind thetimes we are in,” said AkwasiAgyeman, CEO-Ghana TourismAuthority (GTA).GTA supported most of theseevents with sponsorship, marketingand promotions, and providedhealth and safety supportamong others.There is no doubt that Decemberin GH has become oneof Ghana’s successful tourismbrands and an anchor that hascreated a global wave, perhaps amovement, with people alwayslooking forward to it every year.InstagramThe picture sharing socialmedia platform was intentionalabout how to immerse itsbrand into the Christmas vibesin Ghana. Instagram partneredwith Afrochella Festival and wasalso the lead headline sponsor ofthe festival’s very first FashionNight Out event.Produced by DebonairAfrik, a Ghanaian based fashionbrand and Afrochella, theInstagram Fashion Night Outwas designed to celebrate thethriving fashion scene in Africaand showcase up-and-comingdesigners from the continent.The dazzling event included 13talented designers, two fashionexhibitions, a panel discussionand multi-brand pop up shops.It was Instagram’s way of celebratingAfrica’s diverse cultureand the vibrant work of Africancreatives and entrepreneurs.These activities were amplifiedby Instagram to its millions offollowers to gain wider reach.Martell CognacThroughout the year 2021,Martell Cognac has been busy.Most of the brand’s activationswere on the back of partnershipit had with Amapiano & BrunchParty which has become Accra’sfavorite day party. The partyis held periodically at Front/Back, a music, food, and artclub located in Accra, and it hasfeatured major artistes such asR2Bees, MzVee, Stonebwoy, KingPromise, Adenkule Gold, UncleWaffles, Tiwa Savage and manyothers.Martell, in partnership withPolo Beach Club also put togetherarguably the most-talkedabout high-end lit party knownas the Martell Blue Foam Party.It was an epic night and thepost-eventreactions on social mediawas crazy, literally everybodylooking forward to the nextparty.At any of the events duringDecember, guests had thechance to a sensory experienceof Martell’s finest eaux-de-vieproduced cognacs.Surf Ghana (Freedom SkatePark)For the first time, Ghanaopened its first skate park –Freedom Skate Park in Accra.The opening which happenedin December was also in honourof the late Ghanaian US-basedfashion icon Virgil Abloh whowas supporting Surf Ghana, theproject initiators, to completethe park.Unveiling the park, organiserspaid tribute to the Americandesigner of Ghanaian originwith musical performances bylocal artists and skate sessionsby both professionals and amateurs.A new sport ecosystemthat supports well-being, creativityand entrepreneurship.The Founder of Surf Ghana,Sandy Alibo, said though skatingis a lesser-known sport in Ghana,she believes it will go a longway towards boosting tourismand creating networking opportunitiesfor young Ghanaians.“We’re not talking onlyabout sports, but we’re talkingbuilding self-confidence in theyouth, about tourism and developingyouth entrepreneurship,”she told AFP.Ever-since its opening,the skate park has become aconverging point for a lot ofcreative minds to connect witheach other in sharing ideas andthoughts.TwitterThe social media giant announcedits presence in Africain April 2021. Twitter’s presenceannouncement brought a lot ofexcitement among Ghanaians.Per observations, wheneverTwitter enters new markets, itinvests in local communitiesand the social fabric throughrelevant partnerships thattouches the emotions of thelocals.Ahead of its outdoor activationsin December, Twitterpartnered Ghanaian rapperM.anifest to launch a specialemoji icon for the rapper’s latestalbum #MadinaToTheUniverse.After, Twitter debuted itsdedicated @TwitterGhana handle,bringing tweets to life onbillboards in Accra. According toAdWeek, @TwitterGhana is thesocial network’s first dedicatedhandle in sub-Saharan Africa.These Twitter billboardscovered topics and hilariousmoments that were uniquelyGhanaian, hence becomingpart of viral conversations andalso setting the tone for DettyDecember. One of the billboardscaptured the mood for Christmassaying “December in Ghanais just a two-week festival”.Lastly, Twitter partneredwith one of the biggest festivalson the continent – AfrochellaFestival which was headlinedby music superstars Wizkid andStonebwoy with other talents.The blue bird social platformset up an art installation at thefestival which really broughtthe brand to live.YouTubeYouTube has always been aplace to be entertained — fromyour favorite dance trends, newsound to exciting video contents.Over the years, YouTube hasenabled an entire generation ofcreators who have shared theirvoice and found an audience ofmore than two billion people.YouTube, for the first timebrought its brand to live inGhana. The video streamingplatform heavily pushed itsYouTube Shorts which is a newshort-form video experiencefor creators and artists whowant to shoot short, catchyvideos using nothing but theirmobile phones. YouTube Shortsis a way for anyone to connectwith a new audience using justa smartphone and the Shortscamera in the YouTube app.YouTube had the biggestbrand installation at Afrochellaby creating what it called “TheYouTube Shorts Playground” forover 10,000 revelers that attendedthe festival.The brand also engaged insome music thought leadershipprogrammes to help develop theyouth and provide assistance toaspiring music industry professionals.Ekow QuandzieYFMGhana’s number one urbanradio and leading music station,YFM launched a new initiative“Y Holiday Havoc” to supportkey December events with marketing,promotions, ticket salesand on-air talents – Presentersand DJs, all to create unforgettablememories for revelers.Through the Y HolidayHavoc, YFM partnered majorfestivals such as Afrochella,Wildaland, Tribvl Jungle Fever,concerts – Gold Coast Carnival,Bhim Concert, and parties –PineXGinja, Gold Block Party.Others include Around theWorld, Taste of Ghana and BeachLantern Festival.For the brand, December inGhana was right time to achievetwo things with YHolidayHavocCampaign – To create brandawareness and Showcase YFM’sTalents to the world. Talents likeKojo Manuel, Mensah Junior,DJ Loft, DJ MzOrstin, AD DJ, DJMicSmith became householdnames at every major event andparties during the December. Itwas one sure way of winningwith the brand.In setting the tone for Decemberin Ghana, YFM engineereda series of thought leadershipconversations on TwitterSpaces talking to stakeholders,organizers and musicians whoshared their thoughts on Decemberin Ghana.The brand also activatedits waste recycling bottle radiobooth. This was to re-enforce thebrand’s commitment to encourageplastic waste recyclingunder the YFM Plastic RecyclingCampaign championed by YCares.I want to conclude with specialshoutouts to all the eventsthat created the platform forthese brands to connect withtheir audience – Afrochella,Wildaland, Amapiano & Brunch,Polo Beach Club, Tribvl JungleFever, Gold Coast Carnival,PineXGinja, Gold Block Party,Around the World and AkwaabaUK Parties.Written by Ekow QuandzieThe writer is a Brands andCommunications Executivepequandzie@gmail.com
- Page 2 and 3: Page 2US consumer prices riseat fas
- Page 6 and 7: Page 6DAILY ANALYST Friday, 11th Fe
- Page 8 and 9: Page 8The Minister of HealthKwaku A
- Page 10 and 11: Page 10The Minister for Landsand Na
DAILY ANALYST
Friday, 11th February, 2022 Page 5
Perspective
Ekow Quandzie writes:
Detty December in
Ghana is simply the
enjoyment level in
Accra every December.
It is always that
time of the year that the world
comes to Ghana.
It is a fine opportunity for
the diaspora to connect with
their roots – cultural diversity,
heritage and “new skuul”
lifestyles like pop culture, music
and food.
With the elevation of all the
tourism value chain elements
coupled with Africa being the
new market target, many companies
are increasingly making
their brands relevant to the Gen
Z and Millennials.
In no particular order, these
are the brands that came out
December.
Daily Paper
Daily Paper is an African-inspired
fashion brand known
for its ready-to-wear garments
and accessories with a creative
direction fueled by rich African
culture wrapped in contemporary
designs.
The brand has truly become
one of the fastest growing fashion
brands in Africa and Europe,
offering timeless designs across
accessories, streetwear and a
range of capsules across the
season.
During December, Daily Paper
which has truly become one
of the fastest growing fashion
brands in Africa and Europe,
opened its sought-after pop-up
shop in Accra to drive lovers of
streetwear to their hub.
The brand collaborated with
other partners such as Off-
White by the late Virgil Ablorh,
Surf Ghana, Afrochella, NSG,
Free The Youth among others to
host a line of activities such as
parties, networking hangouts,
football tournament and other
special curated events connected
to the culture.Free The Youth
Free The Youth (FTY) is a
collective of young creatives
determined to empower young
Africans in the area of streetstyle
fashion and culture.
Started as a social media
Ghanaian street-style movement,
FTY has now developed
into a multi-branched organisation
with the grand goal
of promoting an art-based,
youth-oriented movement for
creative freedom and community
development. It has gradually
grown to become the creative
mouthpiece for young people.
During the Christmas, the
FTY opened its headquarters
in Accra, a really impressive
space created as a hub for
African youth in Ghana. The
space, according to the FTY, was
a physical representation of
Africa’s unmistakable creative
evolution.
That grand opening saw a
host of paneled talks, the opening
of a Free The Youth store,
as well as studio sessions and
parties which saw likes of Black
Sheriff, Chance The Rapper, Vic
Mensa, Oxlade, Rema, Kwesi
Arthur, Fuse ODG, Kofi Mole and
others passing through to catch
the
vibe.
Ghana Tourism Authority
The Ghana Tourism Authority
(GTA) is the lead state agency
in charge of implementing the
December in Ghana campaign to
its highest optimal points.
Since 2019, the government
has had a deliberate tourism
campaign championed by the
GTA to make Ghana the favourite
destination for Christmas
vibes.
With a master brand ‘December
in GH’, the GTA ensured that
a large number of the events in
December enjoyed a near perfect
enabling environment to attract
global attention to the country.
“Thanks to the Ministry of
Tourism, Arts and Culture (MO-
TAC) under the able leadership
of Dr. Ibrahim Awal, this year’s
activations were carefully crafted
– focusing on more outdoor
activities bearing in mind the
times we are in,” said Akwasi
Agyeman, CEO-Ghana Tourism
Authority (GTA).
GTA supported most of these
events with sponsorship, marketing
and promotions, and provided
health and safety support
among others.
There is no doubt that December
in GH has become one
of Ghana’s successful tourism
brands and an anchor that has
created a global wave, perhaps a
movement, with people always
looking forward to it every year.
The picture sharing social
media platform was intentional
about how to immerse its
brand into the Christmas vibes
in Ghana. Instagram partnered
with Afrochella Festival and was
also the lead headline sponsor of
the festival’s very first Fashion
Night Out event.
Produced by Debonair
Afrik, a Ghanaian based fashion
brand and Afrochella, the
Instagram Fashion Night Out
was designed to celebrate the
thriving fashion scene in Africa
and showcase up-and-coming
designers from the continent.
The dazzling event included 13
talented designers, two fashion
exhibitions, a panel discussion
and multi-brand pop up shops.
It was Instagram’s way of celebrating
Africa’s diverse culture
and the vibrant work of African
creatives and entrepreneurs.
These activities were amplified
by Instagram to its millions of
followers to gain wider reach.
Martell Cognac
Throughout the year 2021,
Martell Cognac has been busy.
Most of the brand’s activations
were on the back of partnership
it had with Amapiano & Brunch
Party which has become Accra’s
favorite day party. The party
is held periodically at Front/
Back, a music, food, and art
club located in Accra, and it has
featured major artistes such as
R2Bees, MzVee, Stonebwoy, King
Promise, Adenkule Gold, Uncle
Waffles, Tiwa Savage and many
others.
Martell, in partnership with
Polo Beach Club also put together
arguably the most-talked
about high-end lit party known
as the Martell Blue Foam Party.
It was an epic night and the
post-event
reactions on social media
was crazy, literally everybody
looking forward to the next
party.
At any of the events during
December, guests had the
chance to a sensory experience
of Martell’s finest eaux-de-vie
produced cognacs.
Surf Ghana (Freedom Skate
Park)
For the first time, Ghana
opened its first skate park –
Freedom Skate Park in Accra.
The opening which happened
in December was also in honour
of the late Ghanaian US-based
fashion icon Virgil Abloh who
was supporting Surf Ghana, the
project initiators, to complete
the park.
Unveiling the park, organisers
paid tribute to the American
designer of Ghanaian origin
with musical performances by
local artists and skate sessions
by both professionals and amateurs.
A new sport ecosystem
that supports well-being, creativity
and entrepreneurship.
The Founder of Surf Ghana,
Sandy Alibo, said though skating
is a lesser-known sport in Ghana,
she believes it will go a long
way towards boosting tourism
and creating networking opportunities
for young Ghanaians.
“We’re not talking only
about sports, but we’re talking
building self-confidence in the
youth, about tourism and developing
youth entrepreneurship,”
she told AFP.
Ever-since its opening,
the skate park has become a
converging point for a lot of
creative minds to connect with
each other in sharing ideas and
thoughts.
The social media giant announced
its presence in Africa
in April 2021. Twitter’s presence
announcement brought a lot of
excitement among Ghanaians.
Per observations, whenever
Twitter enters new markets, it
invests in local communities
and the social fabric through
relevant partnerships that
touches the emotions of the
locals.
Ahead of its outdoor activations
in December, Twitter
partnered Ghanaian rapper
M.anifest to launch a special
emoji icon for the rapper’s latest
album #MadinaToTheUniverse.
After, Twitter debuted its
dedicated @TwitterGhana handle,
bringing tweets to life on
billboards in Accra. According to
AdWeek, @TwitterGhana is the
social network’s first dedicated
handle in sub-Saharan Africa.
These Twitter billboards
covered topics and hilarious
moments that were uniquely
Ghanaian, hence becoming
part of viral conversations and
also setting the tone for Detty
December. One of the billboards
captured the mood for Christmas
saying “December in Ghana
is just a two-week festival”.
Lastly, Twitter partnered
with one of the biggest festivals
on the continent – Afrochella
Festival which was headlined
by music superstars Wizkid and
Stonebwoy with other talents.
The blue bird social platform
set up an art installation at the
festival which really brought
the brand to live.
YouTube
YouTube has always been a
place to be entertained — from
your favorite dance trends, new
sound to exciting video contents.
Over the years, YouTube has
enabled an entire generation of
creators who have shared their
voice and found an audience of
more than two billion people.
YouTube, for the first time
brought its brand to live in
Ghana. The video streaming
platform heavily pushed its
YouTube Shorts which is a new
short-form video experience
for creators and artists who
want to shoot short, catchy
videos using nothing but their
mobile phones. YouTube Shorts
is a way for anyone to connect
with a new audience using just
a smartphone and the Shorts
camera in the YouTube app.
YouTube had the biggest
brand installation at Afrochella
by creating what it called “The
YouTube Shorts Playground” for
over 10,000 revelers that attended
the festival.
The brand also engaged in
some music thought leadership
programmes to help develop the
youth and provide assistance to
aspiring music industry professionals.
Ekow Quandzie
YFM
Ghana’s number one urban
radio and leading music station,
YFM launched a new initiative
“Y Holiday Havoc” to support
key December events with marketing,
promotions, ticket sales
and on-air talents – Presenters
and DJs, all to create unforgettable
memories for revelers.
Through the Y Holiday
Havoc, YFM partnered major
festivals such as Afrochella,
Wildaland, Tribvl Jungle Fever,
concerts – Gold Coast Carnival,
Bhim Concert, and parties –
PineXGinja, Gold Block Party.
Others include Around the
World, Taste of Ghana and Beach
Lantern Festival.
For the brand, December in
Ghana was right time to achieve
two things with YHolidayHavoc
Campaign – To create brand
awareness and Showcase YFM’s
Talents to the world. Talents like
Kojo Manuel, Mensah Junior,
DJ Loft, DJ MzOrstin, AD DJ, DJ
MicSmith became household
names at every major event and
parties during the December. It
was one sure way of winning
with the brand.
In setting the tone for December
in Ghana, YFM engineered
a series of thought leadership
conversations on Twitter
Spaces talking to stakeholders,
organizers and musicians who
shared their thoughts on December
in Ghana.
The brand also activated
its waste recycling bottle radio
booth. This was to re-enforce the
brand’s commitment to encourage
plastic waste recycling
under the YFM Plastic Recycling
Campaign championed by Y
Cares.
I want to conclude with special
shoutouts to all the events
that created the platform for
these brands to connect with
their audience – Afrochella,
Wildaland, Amapiano & Brunch,
Polo Beach Club, Tribvl Jungle
Fever, Gold Coast Carnival,
PineXGinja, Gold Block Party,
Around the World and Akwaaba
UK Parties.
Written by Ekow Quandzie
The writer is a Brands and
Communications Executive
pequandzie@gmail.com
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