Ghana to host All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)

Ghana has won a three-year bid to host the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) aimed at promoting a distinct and rich African music worldwide, engaging millions of fans by propelling African music to glorious pinnacles beyond the borders of Africa.

Ghana met all parameters of the African Union Commission-AFRIMA including immigration and visa application management, availability of functional airport and good land transportation system, venue infrastructure, hotels and hospitality facilities as well as adequate provision of security for guests and officials.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Ziblim Barri Iddi, on Friday August 24 announced Ghana as host during a ceremony to inaugurate the National Planning Committee for AFRIMA 2018.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism pledged the Ministry’s support in having a successful event themed ‘Africa is Music’. “Ghana is ready to host AFRIMA 2018, as AFRIMA creates a platform for opportunities for collaboration for between Ghanaian artists and other African countries” he said.

The Regional Director for AFRIMA, Francis Doku said “Ghana was selected because we are capable and have the needed expertise”. He added that after four years of Nigeria as host, AFRIMA will take place in Ghana this year in November 2018. AFRIMA is engaging the rest of the world on an intellectual platform with conferences and the music awards.

West Africa Director for AFRIMA, Dan Obilor said Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria showed strong interest in hosting Africa's biggest music events 2018-2020 editions as announced by the international Committee of AFRIMA. AFRIMA will galvanize the creative energies of Ghana’s music and art industry. He reassured the committee this year’s event will be exciting.

Present at the ceremony were representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, AFRIMA Regional and West Africa Executives, Agencies of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Event Organizers representing the Private Sector.