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JOHN JERRY RAWLINGS (JUNIOR JESUS), THE CHARISMATIC LEADER ARRIVES
Nawa Nelson, Bashorun Dele Momodu & Nawa Akua Busia
Nawa Akua Busia, Jerry Rawlings & Bashorun Dele Momodu
globe. Several Africans, including non-Nigerians have opened their doors to us and allowed us into their worlds to capture and tell their stories in our unique and fascinating style. It therefore became necessary to demonstrate our continental commitment by extending the unique and sensational yuletide experience that our annual event delivers to other parts of Africa - starting with Ghana. In extending the tentacles of the OVATION Carol and Awards to the rest of Africa, Ghana was a natural first choice. For several years, the beautiful West African country off the Gulf of Guinea has, like Nigeria, been a hospitable host for the magazine’s operations in that country and a cordial host of the premier, House of OVATION , the company’s Restaurant and Bar which also happens to be Ghana’s hottest celebrity hangout! Ghana therefore had the bragging rights to host the event’s first foray outside Nigeria as well as all the aces for first refusal and finally got the hosting rights unopposed. This was why, as 2013 wound down, and the buzz of the Christmas season was in the air, the song on every Ghanaian’s lips could easily have been, Santa Claus is coming to town but in truth and more suitably so, the rhyme on everyone’s lips was, The OVATION Carol is coming to town. Santa sure came to town and he came bearing the gift of a truly sensational sixth edition of the OVATION Carol and Awards, made in Ghana, for Africa and the world. Before the red-letter day arrived, in keeping with the tradition of the event. There were pre-event activities. The first was a Superlative Celebrity Photoshoot. Top Ghanaian celebrities assembled at the scenic La villa boutique Hotel-and it was fun. Ghanaian celebrities who endorsed the event and appeared on different printed and on-line publicity materials in sizzling outfits taken at the shoot included Chris Attoh, Joselyn Dumas, Juliet Ibrahim, Yvonne Okoro, Elikem the Tailor, John Dumelo, Reggie Rockstone, Mzbel, 52
President John Jerry Rawllings
Bashorun Dele Momodu welcoming former President, J.J. Rawlings
Guiseppina Baa (Miss Ghana 2013), Becca, Edem, Ofie Kodjo, Ben Brako, Amanda Jissih, Belinda Baidoo, Stonebwoy, Blakofe, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Okyeame Quophi, Lydia Forson, Stephanie Benson, Richie Mensah amongst others. Then, the OVATION Carol theme song was recorded in Lagos and Accra, Ghana. The recording and video shoot brought together a group of young, talented and fast rising Nigerian and Ghanaian artistes. May D, Dammy Krane, Yemi Alade, Skales, Patoranking and Dazzle, flew the Nigerian flag high, while Becca, Edem and Afriyie Wutah did Ghana proud. The fantastic multi-star collaboration produced the astounding theme song, “Love in the air” which was aired repeatedly on several leading local and international Radio stations as well terrestrial and cable channels. The topnotch song was produced by Fliptyce and the video was directed by Olabode Akorede’s, HG2 Films. Under the keen eye of OVATION Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu, planning and organisation were coordinated by Iyiola Ayoade’s Charter House Ghana, a trusted one stop production outfit-experts in events consultancy, organisation, events marketing as well as audio-visual productions. They pride themselves as being, “the power behind the performance” and have planned mega events for several multinationals and international brands. They had worked severally with the OVATION brand before and were trusted to again deliver a classy and truly cherished experience. When D-day finally dawned, love was truly in the air as the red carpet at the State Banquet Hall, Osu, Accra, became a celebrity catwalk for guests and celebrities to strut their stunning outfits. The colour code for the OVATION Carol is usually red; while some of the guests opted for all-red outfits, others decided to jazz up their lovely outfits with red accessories. Against a backdrop bearing the logos and names of the various event sponsors, the celebs and guests assumed different exquisite postures for camera lenses and flashlights while also granting interviews to
showbiz reporters. Everyone on the red carpet was treated to cocktails and chatted heartily with friends in the true spirit of Christmas, with one unifying desire-to have a good time! And a good time they all had, including the long list of celebrities who graced the superlative event. Some of the starts we spotted were, talented actor Chris Attoh and Television presenter cum actress, Joselyn Dumas - who co-compered the event; Becca, Edem, Damilola Adegbite, Jim Iyke, Nadia Buari, John Dumelo, Segun Arinze, Monalisa Chinda and OJB Jezreel. Wave-making singer, Ice Prince, MI, Yvonne Okoro, Sandra Ankobiah, Peace Hyde, Salasie Ibrahim, Kayda Afriyie, Ama K. Abebrese, Belinda Baidoo, Emmanuel Armah, Lydia Forson, Efya, Mzbel, Ofie Kodjo, Abiodun Koya, Marie Humbert, Regina Anne Dei Van-Helvert, Stephanie Karikari, Chris Kata, James Gardiner, and international recording artiste, Wyclef Jean, also graced the event amongst other celebrities. There were other prominent guests at the concert, such as the ex-Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings; Chief Executive Officer of UBA West Africa, Dr. Oliver Alawuba; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Ghana, Mrs. Abiola Bawuah and OHTV Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akin Salami. Inside was the real spectacle: the Banquet Hall had been transformed by Gabriella Medie’s Red Carpet Events into a story-book ball room with all the trappings of a royal banquet fit only for Princes and Princesses. The official red colour of the OVATION brand ruled resplendently and was rounded out with symphonic silver appurtenances. Christmas lights glistened brilliantly across the length and breadth of the room exuding that distinctive Christmas feel. The sitting arrangement was pristine: tables were draped in matching combinations of red and silver as well as white and red. The naperies, ornate centerpieces