She might not have emerged from a so-well-to-do background, yet Cameroonian Afro-pop singer Missy BK never lacked to a beggarly extent. However, she learned that sharing with those who hadn’t that much was honourable. She even grew up, understanding the joy and pleasure that resided in putting a soothing smile on someone’s face and pleasant hope in their life. Such ethics were handed down to her by the singer’s mum and giving became one of her most desired projects.
Perhaps, the fact that the Canada-based young artist has been blessed with a currently successful singing career with proceeds she can at least share with the less privileged is the immediate motivation that explains the creation of the Missy BK Foundation which will officially be launched in Cameroon this Sunday through an activity that which such an outfit is commonly known to perform – giving!
The said activity, communioning with close to 40 orphans in the South West regional headquarters of Buea in Cameroon, Central Africa this Sunday, December 21, is what Missy now talks more about, than even her music which has fast become the artist’s hallmark. “I just feel it is our social responsibility to give hope to these children who might not have been as fortunate as we are,” the singer told Afrikka Radio’s African Cocktail recently.
The Christmas party the singer is organizing this Sundays falls in line with activities the Missy BK Foundation will be putting forth in its social mission to provide a comforting and better life to the less privilege in her country Cameroon. According to her, education will be the foundation’s primary focus. “It’s true children have various skills they could explore, but education is very important. With a good education foundation, every other thing is easy to achieve,” Missy told us. That explains why prior to launching the Missy BK Foundation, the artist had been and is still sponsoring five students in secondary school back in her home country. “It gives me a lot of joy in my heart doing it,” Missy confessed.
The Missy BK Foundation, according to its founder will partner with community leaders, orphanages and educator in Cameroon in its mission to identify girls and boys who are financially challenged, yet gifted and eager to learn. Such children will be provided with the basic means to attain their life’s goals “However, the foundation and its partners cannot achieve this without the support of the entire country,” Missy told the radio show. “We are therefore calling on people of goodwill to support this effort. Donations of clothes, didactic school material would be gratefully accepted.” “Sponsoring a child would even be a great support.”
STOP PRESS!!!
In a maiden public outreach activity to officially launch it, the Missy BK Foundation is organizing a Christmas party in honour of some 38 orphans of the Hephzibah Handicapped and Orphanage Training Production and Ecstasy Center (HOTPEC) in Lower Bokova Buea, South West region of Cameroon on Sunday, December 12, 2014. During the charity event which kicks off at 1pm, each child will receive a tangible Christmas gift from the foundation and well-wishers. The event will be graced by Afro-jazz artists Damien Blue who is expected to thrill the children with his deep acoustic melodies and soft voice. Damien is also expected to awaken senses with his soul-searching African tales. The general public is invited.
For more information contact: www.missybkfoundation.org www.facebook.com/constancebk www.twitter.com/missybkofficial www.instagram.com/missybkofficial
Last Updated on Saturday, 20 December 2014 07:57
28Oct
Distance closes up for Far movie premiere
Ernest Kanjo & Ifaana Qualar
Tuesday, 28 October 2014 19:19
One of Cameroon’s most anxiously-awaited movies will finally be made public this Saturday, November 1, 2014. Far, an Ikechukwu Onyeka film, jointly produced by Agbor Gilbert Ebot’s AGE and Mathew Eyong’s Cradle Rocks Productions Int’l, will be premiered at a red carpet event billed for the Yaounde Hilton.
According to reports, there is growing anxiety among Cameroonians, not only for the event, but to watch Far, a movie which has already won an award even before it is officially released. “That’s why I’m anxious to watch the movie. I’m told by critics who have scrutinized Far that the movie is incredibly interesting, especially the performance of the artists,” Finde, a Cameroonian in Douala told us. “With actors such as Epule Jeffery and Alenne Menget, I can’t just wait to watch Far,” said Gertrude, an AGE fan.
Meanwhile, Merlisa Determined, one of the female leads in Far is expected in Cameroon this week for the movie’s premiere. This will be the international actress’ second visit to the country. The first was during the first quarter of 2013 when she travelled to film the Cameroonian scenes of Far, together with Nollywood’s Dakore Akande (Egbuson) and Jim Iyke. The US-based actress, who recently had a UN goodwill Ambassador appointment, has always expressed her love for Cameroon and is certainly glad to be back there.
Soon after Yaounde, Far, also starring Solange Ojong and Libota McDonald, will be premiered the following day, Sunday November 2, 2014, at Douala’s BOj Bonanjo – time, 3pm. TIPTOPSTARS will be providing live online media coverage of the Douala event.
Far is shot on locations in Maryland in the USA, Limbe, Buea and Douala in Cameroon. Also featuring in the movie are Kang Quintus, Pridine Fru, Maru Gatscaya, Tah Samson and Mercy Etta. Its story can only be watched to be savoured.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 October 2014 19:30
24Oct
“Nigeria may seize your market” – Clem Ohameze warns Cameroonian filmmakers
Ifaana Qualar
Friday, 24 October 2014 14:39
One of Nollywood’s most celebrated and dedicated actors, Clem Ohameze has warned that Cameroon may lose control of its film market to Nigeria if producers/filmmakers fail to make adequate use of the country’s potentials in this sector. Acknowledging that Cameroon is endowed with a lot of talented actors and filmmakers, the frontline Nigerian actor feared that these human resources may end up being wasted, should the pace of the industry’s growth remains slow.
Clem was speaking to Afrikka Radio’s African Cocktail from Buea, Cameroon, where he has been on a professional visit for the past couple of days. According to the movie guru, Nigeria is planning to get into Cameroon and take over the market. “They’ll use Cameroonian talents, but it would end up a Nigerian thing,” Clem conjectured. Cameroon had better acted fast by nurturing these men and women, the Nigerian, himself a talented actor warned.
Clem Ohameze has been filming Anurin Nwenembom’sNightfall (Tombee de la Nuit – in French), produced by Nkanya Nkwai. The movie which is being shot on locations in Buea, regional headquarters of the South West in Cameroon, reports say, is a story that revolves around life in the underworld, blackmail and politics. Also starring in the movie are Jeffery Epule, Ivan Namme, Otia Vitalis, ArthorIyok and others.
Meantime, Clem Ohameze who is on his maiden visit to Cameroon has said he will return to the country soon to film his own movie. “The movie will feature Cameroonians, Nigerians and Ugandans,” he announced.
Before Clem, several other Nollywood movie icons have been to Cameroon for the same reason. Some of them are Patience Ozokwo aka Mama G,Olu Jacobs, Zack Orji, Clarion Chukwura, Jim Iyke, Emeka Ike, Tonto Dikeh, Joyce Kalu, Uche Jombo, Charles Awurum, Van Vicker, John Dumelo, etc.
Collaboration between Cameroon and Nigeria picked up in 2003 with Peace Offering, a Splash Network production starring Patience Ozokwo. In 2005, Fred Amata’s Before the Sunrise, produced by Agbor Gilbert held Cameroon spellbound, just like The Blues Kingdom in 2007 by the same producer. Other Cameroon-Nigeria joint-cast productions have been Land of Shadows, Blood and Wine, Pink Poison, Far, Decoded, Royal Destiny, etc.
Last Updated on Friday, 24 October 2014 16:55
11Oct
48 HOURS TRAILER OFFICIALLY RELEASED - PRODUCER SPEAKS TO TIPTOPSTARS “Out-of-the-box thinking is my hallmark in movie production” -Desarray Ay, producer of upcoming 48 Hours
Ernest Kanjo
Saturday, 11 October 2014 09:59
Desarray Ay is one movie faithful who lives with the constant dream of giving the sector a completely different look. To her, pricking the minds of the audience at all times is a genuine course that must be undertaken to its logical end. If that end means providing an amazing satisfaction to movie lovers which will cause them get so intimate with cinematographic works, then, she is set to engage. If it means having people clued to the kind of films she envisages, the Maryland-based actress cum producer would go the extra mile. 48 Hours, her upcoming maiden (as a producer) is a true representation of this assertion. It is different in that the movie pulls your attention from start to finish. The story is a brilliant manifestation of dramatic suspense which is deliberated woven to make cinematographic sense to its potential audience. The impeccable images as seen in the movie’s trailer released this Friday is a clear indication that the filmmakers are poised to give 48 Hours the grandeur the production deserves. The cast, which is a cream of some of Africa’s (including Desarray, Haitian/South African) finest actors in the diaspora translates the producer’s serious intension to make her debut movie a masterpiece. Deploying an experienced crew, manned by director Kem-Bumbala, to do the job, is Desarray’s way of proving that filmmaking can be given a new coloration. Perhaps, the story in 48 Hours is what is going to keep viewers clued to their TV set and as the author remarked to TIPTOPSTARS, it is not a movie that can only be watched once. “Viewers will be caught watching it over and over,” Desarray said. Characterized by confrontations, secrecy, dishonesty, betrayal, etc, the story in 48 Hours will trigger movie emotions common among fans of Desarray’s genre. Conjointly produced by Prime International Productions and Desarray Ay’s Thirteen/88 Media, the 95-mimute-long 48 Hours is shot on locations in Maryland-USA, starring amongst others Desarray Ay, Jason Nkwain (also poet), Claudio Oben award-winning Cameroonian producer), Best Davis (award-winning Nollywood actor), Winstina Taylor (award-winning Sierra Leonean actress), Paula Obaseki, Fatty Keita, Jacob Cass, Hisham Yahyaou, Guillaume Saki Dedi, Ivan Orekhovshy, Agnes Atem, Ledwin Ekinde, introducing Loic Soumani. Ahead of the movie’s premiere, billed for January 10, 2015 in Washington DC, producer Desarray Ay who will also be main guest on Afrikka Radio’s African Cocktail spoke with TIPTOPSTARS editor. Excerpts of the interview with Ernest Kanjo!
Ernest Kanjo (EK): Is 48 Hours your first movie as a producer? Desarray Ay (DA): Yes, 48 Hours is my first film as a producer.
EK: Who is the author of the story? DA: I wrote the story and screenplay for 48 Hours.
EK: When was the script written and what inspired 48 Hours? DA: The script was actually written earlier this year, precisely in March while I was in the middle of filming another movie. I came home one night and told my husband that I think it's time I took my career to the next level. I had this incredible story that I wanted to write, produce and creatively direct. To be honest I had fallen in a rut of doing the same movies over and over, playing characters that were all alike. I was getting restless. I was yearning for a challenge, something out-of-the-box and I told myself that I was going to stop complaining and just start creating the stories and scripts. Without any question, my husband gave me a kiss on the forehead, grabbed our mac book and placed it on the dining table and told me to go for it. Initially conceived as Twelve –and-the-half Hours, 48 Hours was written.
EK: When and for how long was 48 Hours shot? DA: After partnering up with the incredible Prime International Productions team, we wasted no time - rehearsals, then filming began in May of this year and went on for about three weeks.
EK: Tell us about the movie’s director? DA: The director of 48 Hours, Kem Bumbara, is a ferociously talented and determined young Cameroonian with the most impeccable camera angle eye. His works are so appealing and that was the main reason I entrusting my project my project in him.
EK: Tell us about the character you are playing and your experience doing this role DA: I’m playing Giselle Whyte. She is the ideal, beautiful and career-driven woman who is a new partner within a prominent real estate firm and married to one of Washington DC's most successful Gynecologist, Dr. Sebastian Whyte, Jason Nkwain, playing the character. Life is seemingly hitch-free until she finds out she is now with child. Before she knows, Giselle is kidnapped, then everything turns sour. I enjoyed doing this character. It required a lot of fighting choreography and was quite challenging. I put in so much in bringing this character to life.
EK: What makes 48 Hours different from other movies DA: This is a highly risk-bearing movie, thought out of the box with a fairly new film director. It is very imaginative and would create something people will find special and captivating. This isn't your simple kidnapping film with your predictable action - it’s a love story full of suspense.
EK: What did it entail, financially, materially, human resource wise, to complete this project? DA: I don’t think people will believe me when I tell them that we shot this film on a fairly small budget and had a production team of just seven people. You’d go with the impression that it is a high budget movie when you see our glamorous locations. My team was just too creative enough to fetch us the best for so little spent.
EK: Why is it a must-watch? DA: 48 Hours, is a groundbreaking, mind-twisting and simply phenomenal film! It sets a new standard for out-of-the-box filmmaking. It delivers carefully crafted action and adventure thrills in every way imaginable. My potential audience will be held spellbound by the movie’s blockbuster-style thriller sequences and in-depth philosophical undertones.
EK: Where will it circulate? DA: We’re hoping to have it circulate all over the US and parts of Africa and Haiti.
EK: Any plans for festivals? DA: Currently, we are taking part in the Tribeca Film Festival, Pan-African Film Festival as well as Caribbean Movie Festival.
EK: In what forms will the movie be produced – Cds, cassettes, etc? DA: At the moment, we are looking at producing the film for DVD and eventually having it on Vemo On Demand - where for a fee, fans can simply login and watch online.
EK: Desarray thanks a million for talking to us. Let’s take a rendezvous on radio soon DA: Thanks very much Ernest, it’s my utmost pleasure. I’ll be with you on radio come October the 22nd.
Last Updated on Saturday, 11 October 2014 10:28
02Oct
PRESS RELEASE ONLY FEW DAYS LEFT TO ENTER THE ONE AFRICA AWARD 2014 AND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN $100,000
TTS
Thursday, 02 October 2014 01:02
PRESS RELEASE
ONLY FEW DAYS LEFT TO ENTER THE ONE AFRICA AWARD 2014
AND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN $100,000
Johannesburg, South Africa (30 September 2014) - ONE Africa, an international campaigning and
advocacy organisation, is about to close applications for the ONE Africa Award 2014, that gives a
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) or Civil Society Organisation (CSO) based in Africa the
chance to win $100,000.
The award that was launched in 2000 in support of the attainment of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs), celebrates concrete African efforts to drive towards the achievement of the MDGs the
world’s blueprint for a better future, ranging from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of
HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education.
The ONE Africa Award 2014 will recognise Africa-driven; Africa-led advocacy efforts that have
demonstrated success at community, national or regional level. The $100,000 award will bring
recognition to innovative African efforts to fight poverty and will incentivise more of such efforts.
Civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and other groups based in Africa that can
demonstrate commitment and success in advocacy to promote the attainment of one or more of the
MDGs are invited to apply.
In 2012, Positive-Generation (PG), an organisation based in Yaounde, Cameroon won the $100,000.
PG was initially created by a group of university students as a social club to fight the stigmatisation of
HIV positive people and advocated for the government to provide free antiretroviral drugs after
implementing a successful monitoring programme of government health clinics and hospitals.
Applications for this year’s award will be open until 3 October 2014. All interested organisations are
requested to fill in the application form and submit the following documents:
- Organisation’s certificate of registration.
- Two letters of recommendations placed on letterhead and signed by the endorsers.
- 2013/14 annual budget with a reasonable breakdown of expenses and revenue.
- Most recent Annual Report.
- Copies of media reports or articles highlighting the work of your organisation, if available.
Section Blog 
One of Cameroon’s most anxiously-awaited movies will finally be made public this Saturday, November 1, 2014. Far, an Ikechukwu Onyeka film, jointly produced by Agbor Gilbert Ebot’s AGE and Mathew Eyong’s Cradle Rocks Productions Int’l, will be premiered at a red carpet event billed for the Yaounde Hilton. 
Desarray Ay is one movie faithful who lives with the constant dream of giving the sector a completely different look. To her, pricking the minds of the audience at all times is a genuine course that must be undertaken to its logical end. If that end means providing an amazing satisfaction to movie lovers which will cause them get so intimate with cinematographic works, then, she is set to engage. If it means having people clued to the kind of films she envisages, the Maryland-based actress cum producer would go the extra mile. 48 Hours, her upcoming maiden (as a producer) is a true representation of this assertion. It is different in that the movie pulls your attention from start to finish. The story is a brilliant manifestation of dramatic suspense which is deliberated woven to make cinematographic sense to its potential audience. The impeccable images as seen in the movie’s trailer released this Friday is a clear indication that the filmmakers are poised to give 48 Hours the grandeur the production deserves. The cast, which is a cream of some of Africa’s (including Desarray, Haitian/South African) finest actors in the diaspora translates the producer’s serious intension to make her debut movie a masterpiece. Deploying an experienced crew, manned by director Kem-Bumbala, to do the job, is Desarray’s way of proving that filmmaking can be given a new coloration. Perhaps, the story in 48 Hours is what is going to keep viewers clued to their TV set and as the author remarked to TIPTOPSTARS, it is not a movie that can only be watched once. “Viewers will be caught watching it over and over,” Desarray said. Characterized by confrontations, secrecy, dishonesty, betrayal, etc, the story in 48 Hours will trigger movie emotions common among fans of Desarray’s genre. Conjointly produced by Prime 
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