Entertainment of Thursday, 26 May 2011

Source: Ghana News Agency /GNA

Scratch Magazine launched to promote Ghana’s creative industry

A 44-page magazine dubbed “Scratch Magazine”, aimed at driving the growth of creative industry in Ghana has been launched in Accra on Wednesday.

The publication would focus on Ghana’s indigenous high Life music, local and foreign gospel music, light gossip, news about musicians and analysis of music videos.

Launching it, Mr Kofi Amoakohene, Chief Executive Officer of the Magazine, said the publication would inform readers on the status of the Ghanaian music industry, highlight requirements and progress of umbrella bodies such as the Copy Right Society of Ghana and Musicians Association of Ghana.

It would also provide information on development in the music industry, and inform up and coming musicians, producers and record label owners on the statutes of the industry.

Mr Amoakohene said the Magazine would be circulated in Nigeria, United Kingdom and Ghana.

He said governments around the globe had recognized the creative industry as a potential to create jobs, wealth and cultural engagement, through intellectual property.

He urged readers not to read the publication for fun but to identify benefits it would offer them through the inspiration of personality stories.

Mrs Sheila Amoakohene, Editor In-Chief of Scratch Magazine, said the publication would use the culture of music to empower and support the African child, particularly the underprivileged, in overcoming peculiar challenges, to enable them to play pivotal role in socio-economic development.

She said the Magazine would power, cover and publicize a series of concerts and outreach projects dubbed “Dream Train” in various towns in Ghana.

Mrs Sheila Amoakohene said the Magazine would provide opportunities for corporate bodies to sponsor and promote musical icons, concerts, and other socio-cultural and humanitarian activities, to enhance their corporate social responsibility status.

Mr Andrew Lawson, Marketing Officer of the Magazine, said the publication would teach and guide artistes, song writers, producers, sound engineers among others to enable them to attain professionalism.

“Scratch Magazine would also be the main source of that bit of industry news, which tabloid newspapers such as “Hot Gossip” would otherwise “die for”, he said.