AFRIMA 2018… Ghana’s day in the sun

Nigeria’s Davido, Ethiopia’s Betty G Win Big
For four days, Accra, the capital city of Ghana was beehive of activities, as music stars and stakeholders in the African showbiz industry stormed the Gold Coast for the fifth edition of the All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA). Right from the arrival of guests into Accra, the Internet kept buzzing with social media posts from celebrities, who were obviously impressed with the new Terminal 3 of the Kotoka International Airport. For a country, which is eager to play big in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibition) tourism, this is indeed a major leap.

Unlike previous editions in Lagos where attention was mostly focused on the main award ceremony, this year’s programme was packed with invigorating activities, which had invited guests and artistes from across the continent, Europe, North America and Middle East fully engaged through their stay in the gold coast city of Accra, Ghana. The Republic of Ghana through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Ghana hosted the 2018 edition.

The event opened on Wednesday, November 21, with a welcome soiree where Ghana’s Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Catherine Abelema Afeku, alongside the Director of the Creative Arts, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo, welcomed guests to Ghana, with ‘Akwaaba’ hospitality.

The Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) took centre stage on the second day of the festival, where music executives, professionals, Intellects and enthusiasts had interactive discussions and networking on issues surrounding the business of music in Africa. It was an opportunity for stakeholders to chart ways forward to fully develop the economic potentials of the music industry in Africa. The summit had in attendance notable music personalities including South African music legend, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Ugandan music activist and parliamentarian, Bobi Wine; Ghanaian media owner, Bola Ray; Internationally acclaimed video and audio disk jockey, DJ Van; Nigerian music executive, Kenny Ogungbe; President of the Musicians Union of Ghana, MUSIGA, Bice Osei Kuffour also known as Obour, and other music stakeholders.

The night of the business summit was lit with performances from various African music stars at the 100,000-capacity Independence Square in Accra. The list of performers includes Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Ghana’s Fancy Gadam, Guru, Aletse Tinny, Feli Nuna, Nigeria’s Olu Maintain, Mr.P (of P-square), Mr. Real, Kenya’s Victoria Kimani and Rash Band; South African Rapper, Nasty C and others, who all gave breath-taking performances.

Friday, November 23, was for city tour; it was an opportunity for guests to see Accra. Places visited include the National Museum of Ghana in the Capital city of Accra, which is the largest and oldest of the six museums under the administration of the Ghana Museums and Monument Board (GMMB) and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park, where guests were shown the monumental histories of the founding father and first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah.

The AFRIMA team and guest then visited the St. Thomas Presbyterian Primary School in Osu Town, Accra, where AFRIMA carried out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. Here, AFRIMA presented the school with lots of reading items and school materials including computer sets, Piano set, Guitar set, and drum set, all brand new. The nominees and guests had fun time with students, in a game of dance and singing competition.

The entourage was then ushered to the Jubilee House on a courtesy visit to the Presidency, where the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare in the absence of the President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, received them. Accompanied by Honourable Catherine Afeku, with Veteran Ghanaian Highlife Musician, Nana Ampadu, the Chief of Staff reiterated the interest of Government of Ghana in hosting ARIMA for the next years (2019 & 2020) before it is moved to another African City. It was a merry congregation, as it had all attending AFRIMA Nominees, past winners and other African artiste attending the music awards.

In the evening of the same day was the Official AFRIMA Nominees’ Party, held at Carbon Lounge, Accra, in partnership with CIROC and hosted by Universal Music. All nominees, artiste managers, and music executives came together in a frenzied atmosphere as this gave room for artiste to interact and exchange contacts with their counterparts, paving room for future relationships and possible collaborations.

The main award ceremony, which was held on November 24, opened with a special red carpet that saw celebrities in different shades of fashion. The Night was crowned with the awards ceremony, a night to celebrate the talents and crafts of African artiste, who have done immensely great work over the year.

The night saw nominees from the 36 categories produce a winner each, alongside the special recognition awards fully decided by the International Committee of AFRIMA. This uncategorised recognition is awarded to individuals, who have impacted positively to the music world using their craft, position or personality.

The 5th AFRIMA Legendary award was given to the Yvonne Chaka Chaka, while the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode was awarded a special recognition for his contributions towards the growth and development of the Arts and Tourism sector of Lagos State, especially for the role Lagos State played as official host of AFRIMA in its last four editions.

In what turned out to be an emotional moment for the audience, a special recognition award was given to one of Ghana’s music veteran, Teddy Osei, the leader of the famous Osibisa group, an Afropop band created in 1969. The veteran who was helped to the stage in a wheelchair had been suffering from a mild stroke but was overwhelmed by such great honor.

Nigerian Davido and Ethiopian Betty G became the biggest winners of the night. Davido won three awards for the categories of Artiste of the year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best Artiste, Duo Or Group in African Contemporary for Odo remix, a collaboration with label mate Mayorkun and Ghana’s Kidi. Betty G, Ethiopian singing sensation, who also gave a heart tricking performance on the awards night, won the categories of Album of the year, Revelation of the year, and Best female artiste in Central Africa.

Other winners include Shekhinah with two awards for Songwriter of the Year, and Best Female artiste in Southern Africa; the song Akwaaba, by producer GuiltyBeatz featuring Mr. Eazi, Patapaa, and Pappy Kojo, also won 2 awards for Best African Collaboration and Song of the Year. Amongst the night’s winners are; Fally Ipupa (Best Male Artiste in Central Africa); 2Baba (Best Artiste, Duo Or Group in African Pop); Bebe Cool (Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa); Stonebwoy (Best Artiste, Duo Or Group in African Ragga, Reggae & Dancehall); Falz (Best African Rapper or Lyrist), Afrotonix (Best African DJ); Toofan (Best African Duo, Group Or Band).