Entertainment
Abiriw Music Expo: A Resounding Success In Celebrating Ohum Festival
The picturesque town of Abiriw in the Eastern Region of Ghana recently witnessed the climax of its iconic Ohum festival, an ancient tradition celebrated with much pomp and cultural fervour.
This year’s festivities reached new heights with the inclusion of a mega Abiriw Music Expo, curated by the visionary Frank Kwabena Owusu, popularly known as Franky5.
The event, featuring performances by A-list gospel artists, aimed not only to entertain but also to draw investment and spotlight Abiriw’s abundant tourism potential.
Ohum Festival, a cultural cornerstone for the Akuapem and Okere people, holds great significance as it marks the beginning of the harvest season for new farm crops.
The celebration attracts people from diverse backgrounds, including the diaspora, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
Following the traditional Durbar of Chiefs and Traditional Leaders, which highlighted the cultural heritage of the Akuapem and Okere people, the Abiriw Music Expo took centre stage to conclude the festivities. Gospel luminaries such as Piesie Esther, Nacee, Mabel Okyere, Empress Gifty, and Joseph Atarah graced the stage, delivering unforgettable performances that left patrons in awe.
In addition to the gospel performances, the expo featured resounding acts by some of the top highlife musicians, adding a diverse musical flavour to the celebration. Franky5, the mastermind behind the music extravaganza, expressed the importance of incorporating a musical concert into the festival celebrations. He highlighted the support received from the chief of Abiriw, granting permission for the annual event, emphasizing the intention to leverage creative arts to attract investment to the fertile land with immense tourism potential.
Frank Kwabena Owusu stated, “We are trying to use creative arts to draw investment to Abiriw because it is fertile land and has so much tourism potential. From the waterfall and other tourism attractions, people must pass by Abiriw for their holidays to enjoy all these goodies I am mentioning.”
The success of the Abiriw Music Expo underscores the community’s commitment to merging tradition with contemporary expressions of culture. By attracting top-tier artists and creating a platform for cultural celebration, the event not only brought joy to the residents but also positioned Abiriw as a destination ripe for investment and tourism.
As the echoes of the music fade away, the legacy of the Abiriw Music Expo lingers, leaving a lasting impression on the hearts of those who attended and setting a promising precedent for future editions. The town of Abiriw has truly demonstrated that cultural festivals can be catalysts for economic growth and community development, with the arts playing a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of a region with immense potential.
By:JSmart Amenuveve
Entertainment
Nineteen57 Events announces Black Stars Legacy Awards
Nineteen57 Events has announced the launch of an event aimed at celebrating Ghanaian, African, and diaspora achievements.
The event is a prestigious platform dedicated to honouring exceptional individuals and organizations contributing to the growth and success of the Ghanaian society, the African continent, and the African diaspora.
Since its inception as part of Rhythms on the Runway in 2019 during Ghana’s historic Year of Return celebration, the Black Star Legacy Awards has recognized remarkable achievements in creative arts, culture, and beyond.
It has always been a component of ‘Rhythms On Da Runway,’ however, the organisers have decided to stage it as an independent event this year.
This shift allows for an expanded focus, honouring excellence across various fields, including business, leadership, innovation, science, and humanitarian efforts.
This bold move aligns with the awards’ mission of celebrating the spirit of achievement and innovation that defines Ghana and connects it to the broader Pan-African and global community.
While specific event details, including categories and selection criteria, are still being finalised, the Black Star Legacy Awards promises to be an unforgettable experience that highlights the very best of Ghana, Africa, and the diaspora.
Esteemed icons from Ghana, Africa and the African Diay such as Obrafour, Ricci Osei, Hon. Lisa Hanna, Reggie Rockstone, Queen Asabea Cropper, Nene Agyemang, Agya Koo Nimo, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Morgan Heritage, Stonebwoy, and Richard Mofe Damijo have been among the honorees, setting the stage for what has become a highly anticipated annual celebration of excellence.
Entertainment
Zhikay Junior launches ‘The mind shift campaign’
Ghanaian award winning gospel blogger Isaac Nartey, popularly known as Zhikay Ike Junior, and his team have launched a campaign at Sap’s School in Teshie-Nungua, located in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra region.
Themed ‘The mind shift campaign’, it was aimed to touch the lives of students by educating them on the use of social media and how it can impact lives.
Isaac Nartey, told The Spectator that the purpose of the campaign was to orient students in Ghana about social media and its impact.
Sharing photos from the campaign on Facebook, Zhikay also emphasised the importance of listening to children’s concerns, which include mental health, emotions, and societal acceptance.
“We must not consider children as just minors, they have genuine concerns that revolve around mental health, emotions, societal acceptance and others. We must create avenues for their voice to be heard,” He explained
The campaign included education, games, and entertainment. Some students received customized ‘Zhikay’ items as rewards for their hard work.
This initiative seems to be made a positive impact on the students.
‘The school tour will delve into the overview of social media and how it can be used to impact society positively,’ he added
Zhikay embarked on the tour with popular Ghanaian content creators such as “Freedom Official” and “Quecy Official.” Together, they created an educational and engaging atmosphere for the students.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
