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Ghanaian highlife goes to Switzerland June 30
Mr John Yao Agbeko (Inset) delivering his address at the launch
The Executive Director of the National Folklore Board, Mrs Bernice Dei Kumah, has advised the youth to help preserve and promote Ghanaian highlife music in all aspects of life, in spite of the ‘threat’ posed by other competing music genres in the world.
According to her, highlife music remains an essential part of the country’s heritage and young people must support efforts aimed at sustaining the genre which seems to be fading out as new styles emerge.
Speaking at the launch of the ‘Ghana Day Festival and Business Expo’ in Accra last Thursday, she said highlife music contributed to dialogue on issues such as injustice, resistance, love and humanity, and must not be “left to die.”
She said it was time Ghanaian music took its rightful place along reggae and rumba music which had recently been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) list of “intangible cultural heritage of humanity.”
The two-day music concert, scheduled for June 30 to July 1, 2023, in Switzerland on the theme: “See Ghana, Buy Ghana,” is organised by the National Folklore Board (NFB) in collaboration with the Association of Ghanaian Unions in Switzerland, the Embassy of Ghana in Switzerland and the Creative Arts Agency.
Mrs. Kumah said the initiative formed part of efforts to “engage members of the cultural industry and diaspora community in Switzerland to form partnerships that would translate into investments in Ghana.”
The event, she added, “aims to provide the platform to diaspora entrepreneurs, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of corporate organisations, cultural investors, leaders and the Swizz Government to explore Ghana’s folklore and business opportunities.”
“Music is a universal language of cohesion and an excellent example of living heritage meant to unite humanity, share values and aspirations. Music is a powerful vehicle for raising awareness and reaching out to different groups of people, therefore, the prosperity of Ghanaian musicians must be a priority.
“Highlife is dying and we cannot sit back and watch highlife die. We are taking Ghanaian highlife to Switzerland to create bigger platform for the industry players,” she said.
Pledging support for young people who take up, record and perform highlife music, Mrs Kumah said the National Folklore Board would apply to UNESCO for Ghana to “claim ownership of highlife music.”
Mr Adbourahamane Diallo, UNCESCO Ghana Country Director, praised NFB for the leadership in identifying and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of the country.
He stressed the need to strengthen partnership with people in the Diaspora and expressed commitment at providing the needed guidance and support to ensure Ghanaian highlife is recognised at the highest level.
Mr John Yao Agbeko, Chief Director, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, believed the festival would enhance the brand identity of Ghanaian highlife music locally and internationally.
Madam Abigail Lamptey, President of the Association of Ghanaian Unions in Switzerland (AGUS) was enthused about the decision by the NFB to support the festival which started in Switzerland in 2017.
Nana Otuo Ohuahene Acheampong, Chair, Ghana Cultural Forum, stressed the need to appreciate and celebrate highlife legends while they were still alive, and further asked music organisations to unite in promoting Ghanaian music.
Mr. Bessa Simons, President of Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and Mr Frank Owusu, Head, Creative Arts Agency, all pledged support for the event and called on corporate bodies to continue supporting local acts.
Audience were treated to performances by Highlife musician Aka Blay and the Abizah Band, as well as members of Magic Eyes Band, a group of talented and visually impaired musicians.
By Ernest Nutsugah
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
