The African Union Commission, AUC, in partnership with the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana, have announced Michael Blackson, Pearl Thusi and Anita Erskine as the host and hostesses who will hold the live stage of the 5th AFRIMA-Ghana 2018 Main Awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Accra International Conference Centre, AICC, Ghana.
Renowned Ghanaian-born American actor and comedian, Michael Blackson, popularly referred to as ‘The African King of Comedy’ started his career in stand-up comedy and acting where he moved up the ladder despite challenges faced as a young black man in America.
The talented comic entertainer has featured in several on-screen performances, TV series, comedy shows, and tours. Some notable ones include; The Mo’Nique Show, Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand-up, Meet the Blacks, One Night in Vegas, and Hip Hop Squares. Michael hosted the first ever BET Social Awards in Atlanta in February 2018.
South Africa’s fierce and talented TV personality, Pearl Thusi will also co-anchor the awards event. The actress, model, radio and television personality has earned accolades for her top-notch acting, television and radio hosting skills.
She is a former host of ‘Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV’, ‘Moments’ on EbonyLife TV, and currently the new host of the third season of MTV Base’s ‘Behind the Story’.
Her international acting career includes her role in Universal’s ‘The Scorpion King: The Book of Souls’ alongside Zach McGowan, and her recurring role in ABC’s Drama Series ‘Quantico’.
Pearl has appeared on magazine covers like Elle, Cosmopolitan, True Love, Grazia, Glamour and Women’s Health in both South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Also bringing her admirable skills to the AFRIMA stage is Ghana’s media personality, Anita Erskine. A Radio/TV presenter, producer, writer and oral narrator applauded for her hosting skills. She has anchored several live events as well as radio and television programmes including popular shows on the DSTV platform such as “The Making of a Mogul”, “Cooking with Anita” and “Pamper Your Mum”. Anita is also known for her vibrant role in the advancement of women empowerment and girl-child rights using her various TV and radio programmes. The award-winning multilingual media entrepreneur will bring her charm and feistiness to play at the 5th AFRIMA main awards.
The dynamic trio will add their unique hosting abilities and on stage chemistry to the spectacular offerings for the 5th edition of AFRIMA that is geared to be a glittery, star-studded, world-class event with exhilarating performances from A-list artistes, including some of the 5th AFRIMA nominees and past AFRIMA nominees and winners. Live broadcast of the main awards ceremony begins at 7.30 p.m., while the live red carpet where all the glam, glitz, and high fashion of the 5th AFRIMA-GHANA 2018 will be on display opens at 4.30 p.m.
Sharing her excitement, Director, Brand Communications, AFRIMA; Matlou Tsotetsi said; “It has been an exciting journey for AFRIMA. AFRIMA-GHANA 2018 gets more exciting as we are in Ghana for the first time. In the lead up to preparations, we have felt the Akwaaba warmth and welcome of the Ghana people, I am certain that the rest of the world will feel this – even through our live broadcast. May the best of Africa win”.
Similarly, one of Ghana’s prominent entrepreneurs, Mr. Nathan Kwabena Adisi popularly known as Bola Ray, expressed high optimism about the coming awards. The CEO, Excellence in Broadcasting (EIB) Network Ghana, stated, “I’m highly elated that Ghana gets to host the prestigious 5th AFRIMA. The choice of comperes is clearly a super one and we look forward to an ecstatic and electrifying awards event. Africa is Gold!”
Meanwhile, African artistes who made it to the 5th AFRIMA Nominees list are still canvassing for votes from their followers and fans, as winners of each category will be determined by votes accrued via the AFRIMA voting platform on https://afrima.org/voting2018. Voting ends by 23:59 CAT on November 23, 2018.
Other lined up events scheduled to precede the main awards ceremony include: AFRIMA Welcome Soiree on November 21; Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) on November 22 at the Ballroom, Kempinski Hotel, Accra; AFRIMA Music Village also on November 22 from 5.00 p.m. till dawn at the Independence Square, Accra; a Guided Tour of the notable sites and landmarks in the Host City on November 23 followed by 5th AFRIMA Nominees Party from 10.00 p.m.
The 5th AFRIMA main awards ceremony and the red carpet will be broadcast live to 84 countries on 105 viewing media platforms across the globe.
AFRIMA
