According to the Minister, musicians can help change the narrative about Africa through their music.
“I trust that the narrative of Africa will change and it will change through music, art and culture. We can use music as a conduit for peace and send a strong signal to the rest of the world that Africa has its challenges but we have overcome most of them,” she said.
Mrs. Afeku stated that with a collective goal, AFRIMA can be a force to be reckoned with at the international level. “It is my belief that together we can put AFRIMA on a competitive tie and have a stronger voice in an increasingly-competitive world. We want the people of this beautiful continent and the rest of world to see this as a call to duty; a call to every creative artiste in Africa, from the North to the South, to the East and the West.”
The Minister also said that Ghana has a wide range of unique and exciting natural, cultural and historical attraction as well as a number of events with international and domestic appeal including PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations, paragliding festival, carnivals, choral festivals, national festival of arts and culture homogenous festival.
She added that ‘Our musicians are very talented, intelligent and they are ambassadors of hope to the next generation”.
According to her, it’s imperative for Africans to come together in order to re-energize the continent to be sold as preferred tourism destination to share our beautiful sight with the rest of the world.
“It’s for this reason that Ghana institutionalized “See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana and Feel Ghana” campaign to drum home the huge tourism potential with an exciting range of products from culture, eco-tourism, heritage, beach and conference tourism serving as unique ingredients of any enticing destination”.
Speaking on HitzFm Friday morning, Hon. Catherine Afeku the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture has revealed that, Ghana will be hosting AFRIMA for three years and has been allocated with a budget of $4.5M which should tell one how the NPP government is serious with the Tourism, creative art, and Culture sector.
“We are hosting AFRIMA for three years. That is how serious the government is with the Tourism, Arts and Culture sector. The budget for @AFRIMAWARDS is $4.5M for three years.” She revealed
The minister has been on HitzFm’s DaybreakHitz with Andy Dosty to elaborate on the biggest event in Africa ” All Africa Music Awards” which is been hosted in Ghana for the first time since 2014 and has said that, its all end up with Tourism.
“Naturally, the end result of AFRIMA is Tourism”. she has said.
According to her, it is very misconception to think that she is only much focused on Tourism because she is much passionate about Arts and Culture saying, the internal part of it all is Tourism.
“I think it is a very big misconception to think I am only focused on Tourism. I am very passionate about Arts and Culture. The integral part of all this is Tourism. You need arts and culture to promote Tourism.” She added.
All Africa Music Awards (also referred to as AFRIMA) is an annual award show. The event was established by the International Committee AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union (AU) to reward and celebrate musical works, talents and creativity around the African continent while promoting the African cultural heritage. Its pioneer Awards show was held in 2014.
The Fifth Edition of the All Africa Music Awards is underway at the capital of Ghana, Accra independent Square. The Event has been in commencement from November 21st and will have its climax on the 24th November 2018.