Vodafone Recruits Industry Best To Host And Judge ‘Icons – Divas Edition’

Vodafone, the world’s leading telecommunications provider, has recruited Ghana’s premier music talent to judge contestants and to host their ground-breaking reality TV show: ‘ICONS – Divas Edition’. Stephanie Benson, Ghana’s ultimate Diva; Quantos, CEO of Q productions and critically acclaimed Gospel Singer Gena West will use their knowledge and impressive world wide experience to judge the contestants of the show which seeks to form Ghana’s first super girl group. Fresh faced talent and all round entertainer, Benny Blanco of XFM and nightclub DJ scene has been picked among many Ghanaian entertainers to host the show. Ghanaian songbird Stephanie Benson is a world class performer and has written songs for music greats such as Celine Dion, Tina Turner and Steve Wonder among others. Her amazing performances have wowed elite audiences including Prince Charles of the British royal family who described her as one of the most amazing performers he has ever seen. Her single ‘Stand Together’ was used as the signature song for the 2008 Nelson Mandela concert held in Ghana and the lead song in the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Nana Nyarko Ackah-Yensu, popularly known as Quantos, heads a concert/music production and special events organising company which has produced albums for Kojo Antwi, Ebo Taylor, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Atongo Simba and ‘Waterproof’. Q productions has an international outreach and has produced concerts which have been headlined by famous artistes such as Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes and Jermaine Jackson and has a working relationship with the likes of Bono, Quincy Jones and Richard Bona.

Gena West, a barrister turned Gospel singer was given the seal of approval by the jazz legend Nina Simone. She has performed at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden and St. James’ Palace in front of the Queen of England. Gena’s first album was the critically acclaimed acappella album called ‘Voices’ which celebrates the power, joy and emotion behind gospel music.

The show will be hosted by fresh faced entertainer, Benny Blanco, well known for his voice impressions and DJ talents on the club circuit and radio station X fm. Carmen Bruce-Annan, Head of Corporate Communications at Vodafone remarked on the line up. ‘We are very excited to have such world class talent on board for ICONS. These judges were once young hopefuls, just like our contestants in ICONS so we can be sure they will recognize the potential of the contestants empower them to take Ghana by storm.’

Thirty five contestants out of the hundreds of young hopefuls who auditioned for the show and will be invited to attend the ICONS bootcamp where they will be coached by the three judges and choreographers.

ICONS will debut across major TV stations in the New Year. For further information, visit: www.iconsgh.com or facebook.com/iconsghana

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For further information, please contact the Vodafone Ghana press information line on 020 340 1313

About Vodafone Ghana

Vodafone Ghana is an operating company of Vodafone Group Plc., the world's leading mobile telecommunications company, with a significant presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the United States. Vodafone Ghana is a total communications solutions provider - mobile, fixed lines, internet, voice and data - and is currently unmatched in providing fixed line and internet services - the leader and the first choice for Ghanaians. For more information please visit http://www.vodafone.com.gh