Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo Embraces AFRIMA As AU Unveils Calendar in Accra

The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, experienced the warmth of the music and culture industry of Ghana on Monday, May 21 when the calendar of events for the 5th edition of the biggest awards event on the continent was unveiled by the African Union following a courtesy visit to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Welcoming the visiting delegation led by the Head of Culture, African Union Commission, Mrs. Angela Martins, at the Presidential Office, Jubilee House, Accra, President Akufo-Addo lauded the initiative of AFRIMA in conceiving a platform that showcases Africa positively to the world through the creativity of the music talents and the distinctive African cultural heritage.

“The people of Ghana are proud to host the 2018 AFRIMA World Media Calendar Unveiling event and to receive the delegation of officials of AU and AFRIMA as well the talented artistes and the media. I’m excited to hear AFRIMA is engaging the rest of the world on an intellectual platform with conferences and the music awards. We hope you have had a remarkable experience of Ghanaian hospitality. Our hope is that we will host the main awards ceremony,” the President stated.

The President further prompted the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Catherine Afeku to see to the completion of the formalities required to enable Ghana ratify the Charter on African Culture Renaissance.

Other officials of the government of Ghana who received the AU-AFRIMA delegation included the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku; Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo; Principal Personal Assistant to the President, Saratu Atta: Chief Director, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Dr. Joel Sonne; Director, Tourism Council, Ghana, Chief Nana Anim and celebrated Ghanaian music artistes such as veteran Nana Kwame Ampadu who joined artistes from other African countries for the courtesy visit.

Earlier, while delivering the AU’s remarks to President Akufo-Addo, Mrs. Martins expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ghana for the commitment and support displayed towards hosting the 2018 AFRIMA Calendar Unveiling.

“We cherish the partnership with the government of Ghana since it will enhance the pan-African nature of the AFRIMA initiative. The AU also uses the AFRIMA platform to voice key messages related to the Arts and Culture and other social issues for example the campaign on Ebola in 2014,” she buttressed.

The international Committee of AFRIMA was represented at the courtesy visit by President/Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada; Director, Brand Communications, AFRIMA, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi; AFRIMA Regional Director, Central Africa, Mr. Ernest Ewane; AFRIMA Regional Director, West Africa; Mr. Don Obilor; AFRIMA Co-Producer/Country Director Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley James; AFRIMA Country Director Ghana, Mr. Francis Doku, AFRIMA Jury Member (West Africa), Mr. Olisa Adibua and AFRIMA Consultant, Regional Partnerships and Sponsorship, Dr. Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi.

Meanwhile, the Calendar Unveiling of the 5th AFRIMA took place later on Monday at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra where the theme of the awards, “Africa is Music” was also revealed to the large gathering of African and international media.

The ceremony featured a two-part interactive discussion session on the theme “Enhancing Music Business in Africa”.

It was well-attended by record label owners, culture industry practitioners and music artistes such as Sarkodie (Ghana); 2Baba (Nigeria); Victoria Kimani (Kenya); Becca (Ghana); Ahmed Soultan (Morocco); Stanley Enow (Cameroon); Seyi Shay (Nigeria); Emtee (South Africa); Falz (Nigeria); Fancy Gaddam (Ghana); Stanley Adjetey (Ghana); Dark Suburb (Ghana); Zeynab (Republic of Benin) and Jah Phinga (Ghana), among others.

The main programme of the 5th AFRIMA will feature, later in the year, high-octane music concerts tagged “Turn Up Africa” which objective is to connect fans and followers of African music with their favourite Africa music stars of the traditional and contemporary genres.

In partnership with the AU, the All Africa Music Awards is a music property that recognizes and rewards the work and talent of myriad of African artists from the old to the new generation of musicians.

Through its conference, AFRIMA also stimulates conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the world about the potential of the creative arts for real humanizing enterprise on the continent contributing significantly to social cohesion, national, regional and continental integration as well as sustainable development in Africa.

It is broadcast live to over 84 countries.