African LifeStyles TV On ITV (Formerly PAX TV)

One Ghanaian's vision had exposed the lifestyles of Africans in the Diaspora to the World - African Lifestyle TV is taking the world by storm.

Imagine you write a book and in the cause of promoting the book, you meet a very important person whose vision and advice will change your life. That is what happened to the Esther Araba Dadson aka Aunt Araba. Before Esther's story is continued, let us go down memory lane to June 30 th 2003, the first time this writer became familiar with African Lifestyles Television. The powerhouse organization; Ghana Cyber Group (GCG) was organizing its annual event, a weekend affair at Fairfax, VA. This historical event featured history makers; Patrick Awuah of Ashesi University and a live performance by Musicman Kojo Antwi at the prestigious Warner Theatre, Washington DC.

Historically, it was the first time a Ghanaian artiste had hit that stage. On the Saturday morning at the Hyatt Fair Lakes, the legendary songwriter/musician had been set for an interview with a TV company. As Kojo Antwi walked to the lobby and sat on the sofa relaxing, two Ghanaian female media personalities had been waiting for her, some introductions were made and then lights, camera action; the camera started rolling and now African Lifestyles Television now in full effect.

She had been enjoying a musical career and also had written a cook about entitled; "Discover the World of Africa; Cooking for Good Health, Art and Culture". The book explores African dishes and a description of how they are prepared. In the course of promoting this book in 1998, Esther was discovered by an executive from Pax Television who had read about the cookbook. The executive advised her that she was "sitting on a gold mine" and why doesn't she explore the possibility of having her own TV show on African life styles on Pax Television. Pax Television will then assist her in the provision of the camera equipment and also the content/programming.

Esther said initially she did panic as she did not know where to start for about six months. Suddenly Pax Television provided her with a producer to assist her with the show, helping her with guidelines/technicalities involved in running a TV show. This was when African Lifestyles Television was born.

FACT SHEET

African Lifestyle TV is the only weekly, television magazine show from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area which features the nuances of the "African" lifestyle, history and culture of the African nations. African Lifestyle serves the large African immigrant communities, African-Americans interested in their cultural heritage as well as the American population interested in African culture.

The program, hosted by Esther Araba Dadson and Christina Agyarko, features unique programming which covers various current issues and interviews with prominent guests and/or contributing members of various local African communities, including government representatives and cultural leaders, celebrities and newsmakers.

The program has featured distinguished guests including; His Excellency President Kufuor of Ghana; Ambassadors of Angola, Algeria, Cape Verde and Ghana. Also superstars of the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood); Grace Omaboe (Mami Dokono); Freddy Adu, the young Ghanaian soccer player with D.C. United Major League Soccer team; a host of musicians from Cape Verde and around the world. The Coca-Cola Ebony Festival; a three-day music festival which featured performances by several international African and Caribbean artists. The show also features entertainment segments related to music, dance, drama and movies.

African Lifestyle is expanding to reach all parts of the US and the world

African Lifestyle airs Saturday from 2:30 to 3:00pm on ITV and reaches more than 1.1 million viewers. Contact:Olufunke Adebonojo, Princesscomm1@aol.com, 571@aol.com, 571-435-2355 airs Saturday from 2:30 to 3:00pm on ITV and reaches more than 1.1 million viewers.

ESTHER ARABA DADSON, Co-Host, Producer

Esther Dadson is the daughter of E. K. Dadson, former politician (Ocean Fisheries) and cousin to the Late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the First President of Ghana. She is co-host of PAX TV's African Lifestyle, the only weekly, cable television magazine show which features; the nuances of the "African" lifestyle, history and culture of the African nations. The show covers news, current issues, interviews and entertainment. As co-host, Esther has interviewed His Excellency President John A. Kufuor of Ghana; sports personality Freddy Adu ( D.C. United Soccer); activist Dick Gregory; His Excellency Sir Allen Kyerematen (Ambassador of Ghana) as well as a host of African Ambassadors; and musicians such as Jimmy Cliff, Makoma and Kojo Antwi.

Dadson, a multi-talented entertainer ? singer, dancer, actress, musician and composer was born in Ghana, West Africa. She studied music and drama at the University of Legon and went on to attend Eric Gilder School of Music and Drama in London, England. While in London, she displayed her musical talent and played with various bands. She also appeared in the film The London Line with British singer Cliff Richards.

In her earlier days, Esther played with the Dackatis, the house band for "The Place Where Louise Dwells" in Washington, D.C., and opened for renowned artists such as the late Nina Simone, Betty Carter and Ray Charles. In the early 80's, she formed her own band called Araba and the Freedom Angels, a multi-cultural Afro-reggae-rock band who have performed at the River Festival, World Festival in Detroit, Michigan, The American Folklife Festival. She has written and composed several songs, two of which have been played on local radio ? Swing and Never Give Up.

Dadson is the author of Discover the World of Africa, an African cookbook and features healthy cooking, arts and culture. Her hobbies include costume designing and creative writing. She is also developing a script for film production.

Esther was discovered by an executive from Pax Television who had read about her cookbook. The executive advised her that she was "sitting on a gold mine" and why doesn't she explore the possibility of having her own TV show on African life styles on Pax Television. Pax Television will then assist her in the provision of the camera equipment and also the content/programming.

Esther said initially she was nervous and did not know where to start for about six months. Suddenly Pax Television provided her with a producer to assist her with the show, helping her with guidelines/technicalities involved in running a TV show. This was when her dream became a reality. Esther has four children, including identical twin daughters and resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

CHRISTINA AGYARKO COLLINS, Co-Host, Producer

Actress, writer, director and producer, Christina Agyarko Collins is co-host of African Lifestyle, the only weekly, cable television magazine show which features; the nuances of the "African" lifestyle, history and culture of the African nations. The show covers news, current issues, interviews and entertainment. As co-host, Christina has interviewed; His Excellency President John A. Kufuor of Ghana; Sports personality; Freddy Adu ( D.C. United Soccer); D.C. Also Councilwoman; Charlene Drew Jarvis; activist Dick Gregory; His Excellency Allan Kyerematen (Former Ambassador of Ghana) along with a host of African Ambassadors; and musicians such as Meiway, Diam's and Kojo Antwi.

Christina was born in Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa and has six siblings. She spent her childhood and part of her adult life in Ghana where she attended the University of Cape Coast. There she founded a Christian Drama Group known as the C Theater, (ie, Christ Theater), still in operation, and wrote, directed and staged plays for the group (I Married My Mother, The Angels, and Who is To Blame) which earned her multiple awards.

After graduating from university, she became Head of the Women's Commission of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS). While working at NUGS, Christina married William Collins. After serving at NUGS, she traveled to London, studied banking and received a City and Guilds of London Institute diploma in Information Technology. In 1994, Christina gave birth to a baby girl, Breege.

In addition to producing and directing, she is also the author of Just A Little Longer, a fictional romance novel and helped to write a Tissue Pictorial Manual for the American Red Cross Transplantation Services.

Christina loves to read, write and act. She resides in Virginia with her husband William and 11-year-old daughter Breege.