Selected Ghanaian musicians to receive lifetime stipend

Five (5) veteran Ghanaian musicians were each awarded GHS 10,000 at the Musicians Union of Ghana‘s Presidential Grand Ball, which took place at the State House Banquet Hall on 29th December, 2017.

A.B Crentsil, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Obuoba J.A Adofo, C.K Mann and Jewel Ackah were also promised a monthly gratuity of GHS 5,000 ($1,100) by Kennedy Agyepong, a Member of Parliament.

The event saw the auction of souvenir items from music icons Koo Nimo, Paapa Yankson and Awurama Badu. Collections of the greatest hits by Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, Amakye Dede and other Ghanaian greats were auctioned as well to raise funds for the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund (AMWeF).

The event was attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He stated his government’s commitment to supporting the development of the creative arts through the establishment of the Creative Arts Council.

The President presented awards music industry pillars: Mrs. Theresa Ani-Adjei Ayoade, C.E.O of Charter House Productions; HRH Ocar Yao Doe, Founder, President and Executive Chairman of Doscar Group Holdings; Ebo Hawkson, former Chairman of the Oversight Committee of the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA).

The outgoing chairman of the MUSIGA Presidential Grand Ball Board, Samuel Afari-Dartey, the former C.E.O of the Forestry Commission received a special award for his work with the Grand Ball Board.

Performances on the night were by Wutah who paid tribute to Paapa Yankson and Becca who paid tribute to Awurama Badu. Daddy Lumba, Joe Mettle and Ivorian superstar, Freddie Meiway also performed.

The night also witnessed the launch of the Play More GH project which is an advocacy campaign for more Ghanaian content on our airwaves and the Future Project, a talent incubation programme organised by the Union.