Anthony Dagbey (middle)
The Volta Regional Chairman of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Anthony Komla Dagbey, aka Tony D, has appealed to the organisers of the Asogli Yam Festival to also use the annual festival to promote local talents within area.
He mentioned that during this year’s festival, the organisers invited popular artistes from other parts of the region to perform at the festival, whilst ignoring the local artistes from the region and decided to ‘import’ the so-called popular ones at higher costs.
“One would have thought that the organisers could have showcased many local artistes on the musical shows held to promote the event,” Tony D underscored.
He stressed that the exclusion of Volta Region-based local artistes portrays a sense of negativity towards the musicians, and a move to kill the music industry in the region instead of using the festival to develop it.
This year’s edition of the Asogli Yam Festival was climaxed last Saturday, September 17, 2016, with a grand and colourful durbar which attracted
thousands of both indigenes and visitors, each scrambling for at leasta standing space at the spacious Ho Jubilee Park.
The beautiful display of rich African culture and tradition was at its best as traditional leaders from all Asogli communities came out in their royal regalia amidst traditional drumming and dancing to crown activities marking the month-long Asogli Yam Festival.
By George Clifford Owusu