Badu Evans displaying the award
The Amamere Folk Music ‘n’ Dance Ensemble, a traditional music and dance group with international recognition, has been honoured by the organisers of annual Greater Accra Music Awards (GAMA) for its contribution towards the promotion of Ghanaian folkloric music, cultural and traditional dance on the world music scene.
The ceremony, held last Saturday at the Accra Digital Centre, brought together top-notch industry players including musicians, sound engineers, beat makers, bloggers as well as a section of music fans.
GAMA was organised to reward artistes, music stakeholders and other personalities in the region who have contributed immensely towards the music industry in the region and in Ghana.
Amamere Dance Ensemble, which has over the years thrilled fans in Ghana and beyond, beat competition from four other groups to win the Best Group of the Year award 2020.
The award was received on behalf of the group by its leader and artistic director, Badu Evans, an experienced drummer, vocalist, dancer and choreographer.
After receiving the award, Badu Evans expressed gratitude to the organisers for honouring his group as the Best Traditional Group of the Year 2020.
He also thanked Ghanaians, the media and fans of the group for the support given the group throughout the years.
Badu Evans, who was full of praise to God for winning the award, dedicated the award to God.
Credited with a number of local and international awards, the group in November 2019 made history once again when it became the first-ever traditional music and dance group from Ghana and Africa to be honoured at the annual Osaka International Festival.
The group, which represented Ghana and Africa at the festival held in Osaka, won two awards; best drumming group and overall best performing group.
Noted for its highly expressive and vigorous dance pieces that reflect Ghanaian and African culture, the group has been in existence for the past 18 years.
Amamere Folk Music ‘n’ Dance Ensemble is a member of the National Centre for Arts and Culture, National Commission on Culture, Ghana Export Promotion Council and Ghana Monument Board. Also, it’s the West African Representative of World Association of Performing Arts (WAPA).
It affiliates internationally with Cioff, IOV, CID (international festival organisers) Austria, and is the only West African representative of Leading University of Dance, Theatre and Show Organisation – Mandova, Italy.
By George Clifford Owusu