Amandzeba sings for Dafur!

“There’s big sorrow sitting in my heart… We must sing of love, fundamental love. Without which a great part of our humanity disappears,” said a solemn Professor Kofi Anidoho, at a solidarity programme for the conflict in Darfur.

The programme, which was coordinated by the Media Foundation for West Africa, was held Wednesday at the National Theatre, Accra.

Ghanaian musician Amandzeba gave an emotional performance, prompting the host to say “his music was good but his message was clear.” He stirred up the evening with questions criticising Africa’s dependency, saying although we have 60% of mineral resources, we still complain of hunger and sickness. Nevertheless his music put the audience on their heels with his dancers.

Kwame Karikari, Executive Director, Media Foundation for West Africa, gave the welcome statement: “Join us to demand for our leaders to put aside all diplomatic niceties,” he said. “Darfur is a wound that must heal before we can unite.”

Prof Karikari pleaded, in honour of the African Union summit in Accra this week, for African Union leaders to do “anything and everything that is necessary” to bring peace to the war-torn area.

People filled the theatre to listen to wake-up calls and pleas from activists, mixed with music from some of Africa”s best musicians, as the war in Western Sudan rages on.

An estimated minimum of 400,000 people have died, 2 million displaced and more than one thousand villages have been destroyed.

The conflict has been going on since 2003, when rebel forces began attacking government targets. They argued that the government favours Arabs over black Africans in the country. The Janjaweed, another rebel militia, in return has been accused of trying to rid the area of black Africans. Several thousand AU peacekeeping troops have been deployed to the area.

Wednesday night, activists criticised Sudanese President Omar Hassan El-Bashir for not doing enough to discourage the Janjaweed and called upon the leaders of the African Union to stand up against the government.

Kwesi Adu Amankwa, the secretary-General of the Ghana Trade Union Congress, said “we assure our brothers that better late than never… we condemn the mass killing and systematic rape of women.”

“We say enough is enough. Beyond Praise, there has to be action,” said Head of Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe.

Representing the National Union of Ghana Students, Fred Abogo said “I stand here very sorrowful… The perpetrators must be brought to book… The youth must survive.”

The delegation from Darfur asked South African jazz musician a to attend the evening, though it was a last minute invitation. He played a set inspiring the audience to leave their seat and dance.

Mr Masekela left the stage leaving the audience wanting more. The Citizens for New Ghana presented a signature campaign and resolution on Darfur to the AU representative and the government of Ghana.

A representative for the Foreign Minister accepted it and promised to pass their concerns along, saying he was sure the resolution would result in action on the conflict.