The 5th Edition of the All Africa Music Awards – AFRIMA held in Accra, Ghana in 2018 came under intense criticism and the new minister designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi has promised to review and cancel the contract if it is of no benefit to the industry.
Ghana, under the erstwhile minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku, acquired a 3 year right to host AFRIMA from 2018 to 2020.
The minister also revealed Ghana will spend a total of $4.5 million in the organization of the 3 years event. This arrangement by the minister ignited criticisms from the Creative Industry among other controversies
The minister-designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi expressed her commitment to reviewing the controversial AFRIMA contract during her vetting with the Appointment Committee on Friday, March 15, 2019.
“Since we have a contract to host for three (3) years, at least we have the benefit of hosting for the first year. So we will review and look at the cost benefit analysis of the first year that we have done, and if it’s not beneficial to us, then we will look at the terms of the contract and if we can get out of it with minimum consequences, we will do that in the interest of the industry,” she said
The All Africa Music Awards – AFRIMA is consistent with the government’s national development agenda to the growth of culture and the creative arts. It is estimated to boost the tourism economy of Ghana and the creation of opportunities for artists and investors in the culture and creative arts industry of Ghana.
The 5th Edition event which was held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) saw Kuami Eugene, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie and Kidi winning awards. Others such as MrEazi, Pappy Kojo and Pataapa won two (2) awards – Best African Collaboration and Song of the Year. Shatta Wale’s Gringo won the Best Video Award category, and Manifest also took an award on the night.
Barbara OtengGyasi, before her reshuffle, was the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and a Member of Parliament for PresteaHuni-Valley constituency in the Western Region.
BY ASIWOME TEI-MATI
