Ghana’s No.1 Youth & Urban station, YFM is set to engage key entertainment industry players in a virtual discussion dubbed; “100 Days of COVID-19 in Ghana: Learnings in Ghana’s Entertainment and Industry”.
The virtual discussion is slated for Friday; 19th June 2020; a date that marks exactly 100 days since the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed and reported in Ghana. This first of its kind seminar will be broadcasted live at 5pm on YFM’s wide radio network in Accra on 107.9fm, Takoradi on 97.9fm and Kumasi on 102.5fm. Additionally it will streamed on www.yfmghana.com and all YFM social media handles to reach all youth irrespective of location.
On March, 12, 2020, the first cases recorded were imported by two individuals who travelled into the country from Norway and Turkey. As at 17th June, 2020, the total recorded confirmed COVID-19 cases stand at 12,590.
The government has implemented many strategies to curtail the spread of the virus and continues to amend such policies in with recourse to data and science. On Monday, March 30, 2020, a partial lockdown was implemented and lifted after 3 weeks to enhance economic activity that had been hampered and also in line with measures that had been instituted to curb the further spread. The president has advised Ghanaians to heed to health protocols such as the washing of hands, use of hand sanitizers and the institution of compulsory wearing of nose masks to protect lives and prevent the spread.
Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has affected various industries that contribute to the growth of the economy of which the entertainment and nightlife is not an exception. YFM; market leaders in youth, urban and entertainment programming has assembled great minds in Ghana’s entertainment space to discuss how the entertainment industry is adapting to the effects of COVID-19. Panellists Emma Wenani (Chief Director -Global Media Alliance) and Ken Agyapong Jnr (Co-Founder; Afrochella) will focus on learnings in events management and opportunities for the future, Funmi Onuma (Country Manager at Silverbird Cinemas) and Lil Win (Actor and Musician) will focus on the lessons of COVID-19 in the cinema and movie industry respectively. In the music, Reggie Rockstone (Music leader) , Kofi ‘Funkz’ Kyei (Artiste Manager and Digital Music Expert) and Lil Win will highlight lessons that COVID-19 has taught musicians, songwriters, sound crew, production backline, publicists, among others. Additionally, Kofi ‘Funkz’ Kyei will share insights in digital streaming opportunities for all artistes and young ones aiming to succeed in music.
COVID-19 has affected night life. The ban on social gathering has impacted the activities of nightclub operators, bars etc. and therefore Reggie Rockstone (Owner of AftaWerk) and George Blagogee (Vienna City Kumasi) will address the challenges faced by the new normal for nightlife. Additionally, stand-up comedy to live audiences which was fast growing in the country has been affected. Foster Romanus; a comedian and presenter at e.tv Ghana will share lessons and the new trends for comedy.
Director of Broadcasting at Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC), Timothy Karikari, speaking on the rationale behind this initiative stated: “This discussion has panelists specially selected to provide our Ghanaian and global audience with the right insight and learnings to shape their thoughts and project plans in the entertainment and creative industry. As market leaders, we have left no stone unturned in adapting to the new normal. For instance; YFM’s Saturday Party Pressure live has been the talk of town and first of its kind because it has creatively provided an option advertisers and night life in COVID. As the station with the best DJ’S, we rotate them with our hottest MC’s every Saturday to perform live on social media and radio with effects and real club set up. We get you in the mood and party with you virtually. This discussion is one of the many initiatives YFM has instituted and I therefore encourage all and sundry to support this educative initiative”.
The discussion will be moderated by YFM Accra’s Akosua Hansen and YFM Kumasi’s NYDJ
Visit www.yfmghana.com for more updates.