Afrikan Goddess (AG) Online

Sam Afua Kessie will be in Ghana in December 2009 to promote her recent projects.

Part of the film synopsis as copied from www.theblackcandle.com

The Black Candle is a landmark, vibrant documentary that uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African-American experience.

Narrated by world renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr., The Black Candle is an extraordinary, inspirational story about the struggle and triumph of family, community, and culture.

Filmed across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, The Black Candle is a timely illumination on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith) are relevant today.

Reviewed by: Kuukua Twum-Baah

The play, “What Dad Left Behind,” written by theater director, writer and producer James Ebo Whyte (popularly known as Uncle), took the Accra National Theater by storm on Saturday, May 2 during its premier showing.

The play revolves around Sulley, who returns to Ghana at the insistence of his mother, to attend the funeral of his father, whom he never met. Having been born out of wedlock, Sulley was the least expected one to inherit his father’s estates. It was for this very reason that when he finally inherited his late father’s multimillion dollar business, the surviving wives and children plotted to eliminate him out of envy.

Soon after the opening scene, the action began with Kobe, the eldest son, sitting in his dead father’s seat, ready to take over the business, which of course was seriously being opposed by Yoofi, his half brother and his uncle Charles. Despite the hostilities in the family and despite what they put him through, Sulley stood his ground and proved to everyone that his dad made the right choice by making him his heir.

Ebo Whyte weaves humorous sub-plots into the relatively serious theme; an example is the love at first sight scene between Sulley, Beatrice and Maame. Maame, who has constantly failed at love, is thrown out by her boyfriend, Mawuko. In this scene, Maame receives some consolation from her half brother Sulley:

 Sulley: Maame why are you crying?

Maame: I went to Mawuko’s house, I met another girl there and he threw me out.

Sulley: When you throw a precious thing to a pig, it will trample on it and turn on you.

Maame: So you mean Mawuko is a pig....

Sulley: Yes he is

Maame: And he doesn’t deserve my love

Sulley: Yes

Maame: Yes, Mawuko, you are a pig and you don’t deserve my love.

Sulley: Feeling better?

Maame: No, I want the pig!

James Ebo Whyte is the publisher of the Rover Report Monthly, a magazine that reports on values, attitudes and faith for discerning people. He has been commenting on social and political issues on the Joy FM morning show for over eleven years.