2nd edition of HOMOFEST launched

(Mrs. Ofosu Agyare delivering the keynote address to launch the Homofest)

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts last Friday launched its 2nd edition of the Homofest under the theme “Unity and Development” at the Foyer of the National Theatre.
The main objective of the Homofest is to afford the chiefs and the people of Ga-Dangbe an opportunity to showcase their rich, diverse culture and creative arts potentials to both the local and the International Community for socio-economic development.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts noted that, the festival was used to bring all Ga-Dangbe Chiefs and Queen mothers under one umbrella in a historic nature, and also serve as a means for people to reflect on their past, settle on their differences, forgive one another and to show love.

She then commended the Ministries of Local Government and the Rural Development and Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, the Greater Accra Regional coordinatingCouncil, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly ,all Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region, the Regional House of Chiefs and other Stakeholders for supporting for Ministry to create this festival.

In his speech, Hon. NiiLanteVanderpuije, Deputy Minister of Local and Rural Development, stated that, “the core values of the Ga tradition is fading, as some cultural events are retrogressing due to adulteration by the youth”.
He therefore stressed on the need for the tenets of the Ga culture to be inculcated into the training of children, adding that schools at various levels should incorporate cultural studies into their curriculum. “The Homofest is to showcase rich and unadulterated cultural events to revive the cultural conscience of the Ga-Dangbe people”, he reiterated.

The Homofest is to climax the celebrations of the Homowo Festival of the People of Ga-Dangbe after all the various stools namely Tema, Nungua, Osu, Teshie, La, Prampram, Ningo, Ga Mashie have all completed their individual celebrations.

Here are some pictures of attendees the launch;

DEMAND FOR WRIST WATCHES DECLINE…..as mobile phone business booms

Through the advent of technology, a lot of things have evolved with time, from fashion to the food we eat. This has gone a long way in our strong desire for the use of mobile phones over watches in telling the time.

History of watches
In the past, the medium used in telling the time was the crowing of the cock and the sun, in the mornings and the afternoons respectively, but it was a bit challenging because if you miss the cock crowing in the morning, the only time you would get to know the time again is when the sun set.
Notwithstanding the fact that people struggled to patronize wrist watches in the past, due to how expensive it was, which allowed the affluent and the middle income earners to have access to it.
Watches were highly commended because it was believed to add some touch to the dressing of both ladies and gentlemen.

Watches in the markets
There are different types of watches on the Ghanaian markets counting from
The leather watch, bracelet form- like type of watch and the rubber type which are bluffing and attractive to put on.
It also has several brand names like the Rolex, Gucci, Hermes Bul-gari among others which are the latest brands on the market and are quite expensive though there are imitations to serve the same purpose.

Lifestyles
These days the patronage of cell phones has taken over the markets of most appliances because of some multi- functional purposes it comes with, such as cameras, video recorders, radio, scanners, internet access and even television
Modernization has given way to technology and other forms of watches and clocks were designed to suit the preference of every taste. Little did we know that the use of mobile phones will one day replace wrist watches?
In an exclusive interview, Enoch Baah, a banker expressed that he normally sought to his handset as a means of telling the time since watches nowadays look bulky in size and finds it unease when wearing it.
Another lady also hinted that she has different kinds of watches to suit every occasion and anytime she wears it, it makes her feel complete as a woman.

Sales
Most watch vendors this reporter interviewed complained about the low sales of the purchasing of watches nowadays. Kwame Boahene, a watch seller and repairer at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, said that for the past two years there has been low sales of the purchase of wrist watches which has made it difficult for him to fend for his family. He added that customers fail to collect their repaired watches after he has incurred extra cost on them.
Also the low sales of watches have become a blessing in disguise for some phone vendors and repairers. Nana Kofi who has been in the phone business for 10 years, noted:” there has been a boom in my business since customers visit my shop to repair their phones frequently and want the early looking at it’s multi-functional purpose “
Although people do not patronize wrist watches as they use to do, it stills adds some sort of confidence to people who use them and gives them some respect.

HOW TO CONTROL YOUR MIND TO WORK FOR YOU

Have you ever wondered why things are not moving in the direction you want? It’s because of the kind of mindset you have, which is yielding you to unsatisfied results. It’s a choice to live in wealth or poverty, failure or success, death or life, depending on what you engulf in your system.
There are instances that we find ourselves in bizarre circumstances which we find it difficult to opt out because we have failed to think deep into which path to take. In our social circles we encounter people who have climbed the ladder of success, not because they are exceptionally intelligent or have a special IQ, but they have a winning mentality.
Are you struggling with your grades? Do you think it’s too late for you in life? Are your peers ahead of you in life?
Don’t worry here are 3 steps to unleash your dreams with your mindset;

•The winning mindset
It’s possible to achieve your set goals with a sure chance of winning, if you have the winning mentality. Someone will ask how? It works because your mental cavity has process the word “winning” in that space ,so you realize that your efforts is catapulted into winning.
However, you can also achieve that if you forgo the lapses you’ve encountered in the past to fulfill what’s ahead.
One fact about the attitude of winning is you don’t stop till you win and its quite challenging because in the cause of it you face some impediment on the way, but your source of inspiration comes from your way of thinking.
The winning mindset has a determined spirit.

•The discipline mindset
Discipline is very important in fulfilling any task, because without it, one can never attain the desired results he /she needs.
Self discipline involves a lot because you tend to invest your time, resources and energy into whatever you wish to accomplish.
An indiscipline mindset is bound to fail because it fails to make sacrifices for the set goals and purpose.
How do you expect to pass your examinations without proper planning and effective studies? You are sometimes compelled to sacrifice your night sleeps in order to come up with good grades.
Promotion at your job doesn’t come cheap, though some are awarded promotion on biases. Having a discipline mindset can lead you to your promotion, because hard work pays.

•The optimistic Mindset
Research has shown that man’s true reflection is based on the thoughts processes, so you should be particular with the intake of things you feed your mind with. Always have a positive mindset, though negative thoughts may conflicts along the line, and just allow positive thoughts to dominate your mind because the more you practice that you would see positive results.