AFRIMA 2018 gets hosts

The trio will be at the helm of the event scheduled for Saturday 24 November at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.

Popular Ghanaian-born US comedian Blackson has featured in several TV series and comedy shows. These include The Mo’Nique Show, Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand-up, Meet the Blacks, One Night in Vegas and Hip Hop Squares. He hosted the first ever BET Social Awards in Atlanta in February.

Pearl Thusi will accompany Blackson on the AFRIMA night. The actress, model, radio and TV personality has hosted Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV and Moments on EbonyLife TV. She is currently the new host of the third season of MTV Base’s Behind the Story. Her international acting career includes roles in he Scorpion King: The Book of Souls alongside Zach McGowan and in ABC’s drama series Quantico.

Anita Erskine has anchored several live events as well as radio and TV programmes including popular shows on the DStv platform such as The Making of a Mogul, Cooking With Anita and Pamper Your Mum. Erskine, says the organisers "will bring her charm and feistiness to play at the fifth AFRIMA main awards".

"The dynamic trio," says the AFRIMAs, "will add their unique hosting abilities and onstage chemistry to the spectacular offerings for the fifth edition of AFRIMA that is geared to be a glittery, star-studded, world-class event with exhilarating performances from A-list artists, including some of the fifth AFRIMA nominees and past AFRIMA nominees and winners."

This year, the event is moving away from Nigeria for the first time since the first ceremony in 2014.

“It has been an exciting journey for AFRIMA. AFRIMA Ghana 2018 gets more exciting as we are in Ghana for the first time," AFRIMA director of brand communications Matlou Tsotetsi said. "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”.

Besides the main awards ceremony, other events to take place under the AFRIMAs 2018 umbrella 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 at Independence Square in Accra; a tour of notable sites and landmarks in the host city on November 23 followed by the fifth AFRIMA Nominees Party.

For more information, click here.