Freddie Meiway showcasing some dance moves
The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) last Friday honoured five highlife music heroes at the fifth edition of its annual awards scheme dubbed ‘MUSIGA Presidential Grand Ball’ at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra.
The five music heroes who were honoured at the event include A.B Crentsil, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Obuoba J.A Adofo, C.K Mann and Jewel Ackah. They received GH¢ 10,000 each for their contribution to the development of the Ghanaian music industry.
In addition to the GH¢ 10,000, the MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong, pledged to support the five outstanding highlife musicians with GH¢500 each every month until they pass on.
The event which has over the years been held to raise funds for the Ageing Musicians’ Welfare Fund (AMWeF) had in attendance President Akufo Addo, Kennedy Agyapong, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, among other important personalities.
Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo paid glowing tribute to the five highlife music veterans who were honoured.
He said his government will continue to implement policies that will enhance the work of musicians, reiterating that the necessary measures were being put in place to establish a creative arts fund and a fully functional secretariat.
President Akufo-Addo mentioned that Ghana has a lot of talents that can compete on the international stage, adding, “It is for this reason that government will give the music industry the needed boost to unleash its full potential.”
On his part, the president of the union, Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour), explained the motive of the Ageing Musicians’ Welfare Fund as an essential initiative to secure the well-being and dignity of musicians in the welfare of their careers. He also touched on new projects his administration was rolling out such as the ‘Play More Campaign’ and ‘Future Project’.
President Akufo-Addo presented awards to four personalities such as Mrs Theresa Ayoade, CEO of Charterhouse Productions, Oscar Yao Doe, founder, president and executive chairman of Doscar Group of Companies, Ebo Hawkson, former chairman of the Oversight Committee of the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) and MTN for their contribution towards the growth of the Ghanaian music industry.
The outgoing Chairman of the MUSIGA Presidential Grand Ball Board, Samuel Afari-Dartey, and the former CEO of the Forestry Commission also received a special award for his work with the Grand Ball Board.
Souvenirs from some of the ace musicians such as the late Paapa Yankson, Ewurama Badu, Koo Nimo as well as collections of greatest songs from Daddy Lumba, Amakye Dede, Kojo Antwi, among others, were auctioned to raise funds for the Ageing Musician Welfare Fund (AMWeF).
The event witnessed performances from Wutah, Daddy Lumba, Joe Mettle, Freddie Meiway and Comedian DKB.
By George Clifford Owusu