According to Mr. Kuffuor, known as Obuor in the music circles, Ebony was one of the strong favourites to be named Artiste of the Year at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs).

Obuor said Ebony’s songs were some of the most popular in 2017, with the starlet being tipped to continue her rise to prominence in 2018.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7zKTgyh59G5f3SwxMt2nOcz1C2CHbIbS”]“Within the last two years that she had been in active professionalism as a musician, you can say that she was the quickest rising star. Because two years ago Ebony was in the unsung category VGMAs which means an Artiste who is now upcoming. A year down she is in the artiste of the year category and it’s actually being rumoured that she is a possible winner of that category. And I don’t doubt that at all,” he said in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday.

He explained that Ebony’s contribution to the Ghana music industry has been tremendous considering her small beginnings about two years ago.

“When MUSIGA had our top 20 most played songs in the year 2017, Ebony’s song was the number one most played songs. So if you consider her contribution over this short period and the way her rise has been, you can classify her in the league of top players. It’s just unfortunate that we couldn’t wait to all see what would happen especially this year with the VGMAs which is our top most award show and probably if she had stayed and around, and of course, I think this shouldn’t affect it.”

“We will all live to see if she will be classified in the league of the top artistes of the years that have ever been in the country. She’s been marvellous, in the year 2017 she had over eight hits. I think for an artiste in the industry to have such many hits, she’s an artiste worth celebrating. I was seeing her move from Ghana to other territories. She was one of our very strong musical exports,” he told Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show.

Ebony’s death

Twenty-year-old Dancehall star, Ebony Reigns died in a car crash at Mankranso in the Ashanti Region.

Ebony, real name Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng, was returning from Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region when the Jeep she was travelling in crashed into a VIP bus around 7:15 PM on Thursday, according to police.

She had reportedly been to see her mother who had recently arrived from the United Kingdom

Ebony was to be in Belgium

Obuor, on the Citi Breakfast Show, said Ebony was in Sunyani to visit her mother ahead of her trip to Belgium but was not sure whether that accounted for the decision to travel at night.

“They went to see the mum. I know that she was supposed to travel to Belgium but I don’t know whether that was part of the reason she was returning to Accra that night.”

He said they are all saddened by the news.

About Ebony

Ebony’s passing comes on the back of a stellar 2017 where she rose to superstardom in Ghanaian popular culture.

The singer was discovered by renowned music entrepreneur Bullet of Ruff n Smooth fame in 2015, when she sent in a demo. She was signed to Bullet’s Rufftown record label a day after.

Known for her risqué onstage acts and vivacious performances, Ebony captivated Ghanaians with her hit singles which included Maame Hwԑ, Kupe, Poison and Sponsor.

She was widely tipped to be the Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards in April 2018.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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The list which excludes gospel songs has raised controversies on the back of explanations that gospel songs did not have enough radio airplay in 2017.

According to gospel musician Joe Mettle who spoke in an interview on Accra-based Happy FM, “without research, one can tell gospel songs are played constantly on air.”

He challenged the list which was compiled by Qisimah Insight, saying he did not believe the research was well done.

“Until we are shown the bases of the research, the top 20 most played songs is just their opinion and that cannot be challenged,” Joe noted.

While some arts and entertainment critics have said the list should have included at least a gospel song, others also hold the opinion that gospel music did not fare well in 2017.

Joe Mettle, whose ‘Bo Noo Ni’ has been described as one of the top gospel songs in Ghana at the moment, released the ‘God of Miracle’ album.

Some have asserted that he is likely to win the VGMA Artiste of the Year award again this year.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Joe Mettle challenges MUSIGA’s Top 20 Songs for 2017 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Ebony’s ‘Sponsor’ tops the list, followed by Wutah’s ‘Bronya,’ with Kidi’s ‘Odo’ taking the 3^rd spot. Other artistes whose songs made it to the list are Magnom, Kuami Eugene, Patapaa and Shatta Wale.

The Top 20 Air-Play Chart 2017 powered by Qisimah Insights was announced at a press soiree held in Accra on 12th January, 2018 at the BBNZ office.

According to the President of MUSIGA, Bice Osei-Kuffuor aka Obour, they decided to come up with the chart to made data easily accessible to people who need information about Ghana’s music industry.

“Data in the industry is missing. When KPMG did the comprehensive study it was very clear that it was very difficult finding data. Henceforth, MUSIGA has decided that every year we will compile the top 20 songs for the year – both gospel and secular,” he said.

He further explained that gospel music did not make it to the Top 20 songs, hence the decision to conduct a separate survey for gospel music.

Find below, the full list of MUSIGA’s Top 20 Air-Play Chart 2017:

1. Ebony – Sponsor

2. Wutah – Bronya

3. Kidi – Odo

4. Magnom – My Baby feat. Joey B

5. Kuami Eugene – Angela

6. Shatta Wale – Taking Over

7. King Promise – Oh Yeah

8. Patapaa – One Corner

9. Fancy Gadam- Total Cheat ft Sarkodie

10. Samini – My Own

11. Stonebwoy – My Name

12. Kidi – Say You Love Me

13. Captain Planet – Obi Agyi Obi Girl ft Kofi Kinaata

14. Shatta Wale – Ayoo

15. Kurl Songx – Jennifer Lomotey -ft Sarkodie

16. Stonebwoy – Come From Far

17. Sarkodie – Pain Killer ft Runtown

18. Becca – Na Wash ft Patoranking

19. MzVee – My Name

20. Shatta Wale – Forgetii ft Millitants & Pope Skinny

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gospel music missing in MUSIGA’s Top 20 Songs for 2017 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

She said she prepared Obuor to be her successor and that she would even play an advisory role to Obuor to prepare the next MUSIGA President.

“Well, every good leader prepares who takes over from him. So it is not wrong that I had the support of my predecessor and I also threw my support behind Obour,” she said.

“Oh yes, I’ll advise Obuor on who to groom to take over from him,” Mrs. Hopeson added.

This presupposes that Obuor might be grooming a possible candidate to vie for his position on the expiration of his term.

Strange?

Well, with about two years for the Musician’s Union of Ghana to elect new executives, the question of who succeeds current President, Bice ‘Obuor’ Osei Kuffuor (who is serving his second term), is rife.

Obuor as MUSIGA President

Obuor acceded the Presidency of MUSIGA in 2011 beating Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Nana Tuffour and Willie Roi to make history as the youngest MUSIGA president ever in Ghana. He took over from Diana Hopeson.

His AJUMAPA policy which was the fulcrum of his campaign message promised good Administration, Jobs, Unity, Music business, Ageing, Policies and Achievements.

In 2015, Gyedu Blay Ambolley and Appietus contested Obuor but they were walloped in the elections held at the Oyinka Hotel in Koforidua.

Obuor’s administration has come under serious criticism by people who think his policies are not improving their careers.

A major flak Obuor has received from some stakeholders of the music industry is using the GHc 2m budgetary allocation given to the music sector in 2012 to do impact assessment. According to critics, there were more pressing needs of the union than doing a research on how much the sector contributed to the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

However, the MUSIGA President has asserted on several occasions he has delivered on most of his AJUMAPA campaign promises.

Others have, however, commended him for instituting viable policies that have served the interest of its members.

Since he became MUSIGA President he has established the Ghana Music Week which has served as platform for musicians to showcase their craft.

The MUSIGA Grand Ball has been an initiative that has for the past years helped solicit financial support from individuals and corporate institutions to fund the Ageing Musicians’ Welfare Fund, another Obuor-policy that has cushioned some aged musicians in the union.

In collaboration with School of Performing Arts (S.P.A) and National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), Obuor has founded MUSIGA ACADEMY, to provide professional training and skills for players in the Music Industry. Already the first batch of trainees has passed out and the courses are still running.

…so after Obuor, who next?

Obuor has had his challenges, he has made glaring mistakes and glossed over certain pressing matters but he has also chalked a lot of successes in his tenures as MUSIGA President.

Therefore, the issue of whoever takes over from him is very crucial to the union. The next MUSIGA President would have a big challenge – to do better than Obuor. This, is because Obuor has been the best MUSIGA President so far.

Already, some names have come up even though the named personalities have not expressed their intentions to contest in the next elections due for 2019.

Some of the names on the lips of entertainment stakeholders are:

Emmanuel Andrew Samini (Samini) – composer/performer

Appiah Dankwah (Appeitus) – music producer

Desmond Blackmore (D-Black) – musician/entrepreneur

Richie Mensah – Singer and producer

Kwame Nsiah—Apau (Okyeame Kwame) – composer/ performer

Gyedu Blay Ambolley – composer/performer

Conclusion

No matter what Obuor adds to or takes away from his achievements as MUSIGA President, somebody must take over from him, at the end of his tenure. Who will that be?

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kwame Dadzie writes: Who takes over from Obuor as MUSIGA President? [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The programme which has over the years been held to raise funds for the Ageing Musicians’ Welfare Fund had in attendance President Akufo Addo, Kennedy Agyapong, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, among other important personalities.

Speaking at the programme on 29th December, 2017, the President of the union, Bice ‘Obour’ Osei Kuffour touched on the importance of the Aging Musicians’ Welfare Fund and also pointed out some projects the union is putting in place to make life better for the musicians.

President Akufo Addo, in his speech commended the musicians and promised to cater for the creative arts industry as captured in his manifesto..

Becca, performed her lovely songs and a tribute to Awurama Badu. Music duo Wutah were also there to do a tribute to late highlife great Paapa Yankson.

Other artistes that performed were Nana Ampadu, AB Crentsil, Daddy Lumba, and Freddy Meiway from Ivory Coast.

National Petroleum Authority (NPA) boss Hassan Tampuli was the chairman for the MUSIGA Grand Ball 2017 which was hosted by Kwame Sefa-Kayi of Peace FM.

Five musicians were given the Lifetime Achievement Honours: Nana Ampadu (creditec with over 100 albums), Jewel Aka (author of 27 albums), Obuoba J.A Adofo, Fante vocal legend CK Mann, and A.B Crentsil. They all took home GHc 10,000.

Assin North MP, Kennedy Agyapong also promised to give them a monthly donation of GHc 5000 each for the rest of their lives.

Some items that were auctioned were Paapa Yankson’s trumpet and flute and a painting of him. Others were Awurama Badu’s acoustic guitar, and Agya Koo Nimo’s pentatonic xylophone.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 5th MUSIGA Grand Ball held at Banquet Hall appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Minority, expatriates were charged between $25,000 and $100,000 to sit by the President at the ceremony.

[contextly_sidebar id=”EfiDF40KvgiMtrMPktjia4Vc5soX9jTW”]Speaking during the MUSIGA Presidential Ball on Friday, he jokingly said he hoped persons who sat close to him at the event did not pay to sit on the same table with him.

“I hope that it will not be said that I asked people to pay GHc 1,500 to come and have dinner with me tonight. This is a MUSIGA presidential Ball and it should stay as such or I will be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry.”

President Akufo-Addo has already said the allegations were baseless following a query to the Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyeremanten, demanding answers from him over the allegations.

This was after the Trade and Industry Ministry, and the President of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, which organized the awards, had denied the allegations, which first came from the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak.

The matter continues to unravel as the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has summoned Parliament for an emergency sitting on Friday, January 5, 2018, after the Minority in Parliament called on the House to investigate the allegations.

Support for Arts 

President Akufo-Addo also reiterated his government’s commitment to give the Arts and Entertainment Industry the needed push.

Among other other things, the President said the “government will protect and support anti-piracy laws for the industry to protect our musicians.”

“In 2018, we will, amongst others, continue with initiatives to improve the creative arts sector with the setting up of a fully functional creative arts secretariat and the commencement of feasibility studies to set up a creative arts fund all under the leadership of the dynamic Catherine Afeku, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture,” he added.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo ‘makes fun’ of expatriates saga at MUSIGA ball appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Music duo Gallaxy who are not satisfied with accounts made by MUSIGA President Bice ‘Obuor’ Osei Kuffuor, told Citi Showbiz that the President should publish a breakdown of how the money was spent.

“We doubt his figures. How can you use GH¢ 800, 000 for research, another GH¢ 800, 000 for music festival, and share the remaining for your administration? They should give us the breakdown. We want to know. They should publish it in the media for us to see,” they said.

Gallaxy added MUSIGA has disappointed the music industry by using the government fund for things that were not the industry’s priority.

“We have a lot of pressing needs like performance centres, studios and others. They have just wasted the money and must account for it into detail. They must account for every pesewa,” they noted.

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Citi Showbiz, the President of the Musicians Union of Ghana explained that the union used the budget allocation judiciously.

According to him, the government granted only two of the components they presented in their proposal and so could not have used the money for all the other things the musicians are suggesting.

“…after reading through our proposal, the government said it could only grant two of our requests and those components were what the 2012 budget statement for the arts captured,” he said.

Obour further explained the GH¢ 2 million was earmarked for impact assessment of the music industryand the 2012 Music Fair, as was captured in the 2012 budget statement.

According to Obour, about GH¢ 800,000 used to pay for the research and its execution (eg. Paying research consultants) and GH¢ 800, 000 was also used for the Music Fair. About GH¢ 400, 000 was used for Institutional Strengthening and GH¢ 100, 000 was given to the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industries for their administration needs.

He said the results of the research has benefited the industry in diverse ways and is hopeful its long-term effects would manifest with the passage of time.

The GH¢ 2 million was given to the music sector in 2012 as part of government allocation in its fiscal budget.

Gallaxy, noted for hit songs like ‘Bokoboko,’ ‘Qualities,’ ‘Dab,’ ‘Gborgborvor,’ ‘Holla at Me’ and Woti Ate which takes a swipe at the MUSIGA President.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Publish breakdown of the GH¢ 2m – Gallaxy to Obuor appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Bice ‘Obour’ Osei Kuffuor has revealed to Accra-based Starr FM that only GH¢ 800,000 out of the GH¢ 2m was spent to conduct a research into the Gross Domestic Product of the music sector.

“We received one million first and [with] this one million, part [of it] commissioned the study into the music sector. Out of the entire 2 million about 800, 000 was spent on the study. The study was done by KPMG…a comprehensive study of the music sector,” he said.

The research which was aimed at providing a baseline data on the music industry, explaining the structure and functioning of Ghana’s music industry and making recommendations to stakeholders and government on the way forward with the industry, concluded that the sector adds approximately GH¢93 million to the GDP of Ghana, representing 0.13% of the 2012 GDP at current prices.

He also stated that another GH¢ 800, 000 of the money was also spent on the first edition of the Ghana music festival.

“About another GH¢ 800, 000 was spent on the first Ghana music week festival…which we accounted for and it was out there in the public,” he added.
He however refuted claims by the public that he had misappropriated the fiscal budget money and intimated that the union has improved tremendously under his leadership.

In the meantime, it is not clear what the remainder GH¢ 400, 000 was used for. Citi Showbiz will nose out details of this matter soon.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post MUSIGA spent GH¢ 800,000 of GH¢2m gov’t fund on research – Obour appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The final funeral rites for Paapa Yankson will be held on 21^st October, 2017.

Akufo-Addo said this at a meeting with a delegation of family and friends led by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Abelema Afeku.

The delegation included the leadership of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA). He said the funeral should be held at the forecourt of the State House.

While expressing his condolence to the widow, and the family of the late highlife legend, Akufo-Addo described Paapa Yankson as a pillar of the Ghanaian music industry and an icon who has served the nation very well.

The head of Odomna Ebusua, Nana Akom Ogyeanda I, informed the President that the final funeral rites will be held on October 21 and 22, 2017.

Present at the meeting were the Queen mother of the Odumna clan of Ekumfi Asaman/Buadukwaa, Nana Enfiua III; the widow, Mary Ogbamey; Paapa Yankson’s son Silas Yankson, and some of his siblings and other relatives.

The others were former veteran highlife musician Nana Kwame Ampadu, MUSIGA President Bice Osei Kufuor, and former MUSIGA President, Alhaji Sidiku Buari.

Bessa Simons, first vice-president of MUSIGA; Chizzy Wailer, National Organiser of MUSIGA, the Tagoe Sisters, Ben Brako and Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, Director of Communications and Special Projects, were also part of the delegation.

The late Paapa Yankson died after a short illness on July 21, 2017.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ll give Paapa Yankson state burial – Akufo-Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said this  when the President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bice Osei Kuffour, popularly known as Obour, and some musicians paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on Monday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2dsExtyfiJu1GFJBlQhOvRGBSBDy7p5l”]The musicians, including Richie Mensah, Nero X, Sheriffa Gunu, Kojo Rana and Helen Van Der Hombergh from Greenbeats in Netherlands, are ambassadors of a local NGO, “A-Rocha Ghana” who are championing the campaign for the protection of the Atiwa Forest Reserve.

The Okyehene said he has always supported the idea to turn the Atiwa Forest into a National Park.

He said, “the forest was given to us by our fore fathers many years ago. I love nature and I love green environment. Eight years ago, I led a delegation to see the appropriate authorities for the Atiwa Forest Reserve to be turned into a National Park just like we have Bole National Park in the north and Kakum National Park in the Central Region, but upon series of meetings nothing has been done about it.”

He said he was excited by the initiviate taken up by the musicians to launch the mass campaign to save the Atiwa Forest Reserve from encroachment.

“I am very happy that you guys have taken it upon yourselves to also add your voice for Atiwa Forest to be turned into a National Park. There are a lot of benefits that we as a country will derive from preserving the Atiwa Forest because when I proposed that the forest be turned into a National Park, I had scientists and researchers who came around and from their research and findings they came out with astonishing facts and figures showing different species of medicinal plants and animals like butterflies, frogs, birds, monkeys and several others who inhabits the forest.”

Okyehene Amoatia Ofori- Panyin II further pledged his support to the cause saying “I applaud your efforts and I promise to use whatever I have to ensure that you guys succeed in the quest to preserve the natural forest because I believe most of the health problems we face today can be solved by preserving our green environment and using the medicinal plants appropriately.”

“We do not have generational thinkers now, all our leaders think of is making monies now, and not looking ahead into the future for the next generation. Our fore father’s were generational thinkers, that is why we still have the Atiwa Forest because they enacted laws which were not policed by anyone. They insisted that out of the 7 days we have in a week, 2 days be set aside for the forest to rest and replenish so no one entered the forest during the two-day period. ”

” I know a lot of people will criticise you negatively as they did to me when I decided to fight galamsey, but I entreat that you remain focused and soar higher and your goals will be reached, together we will work tirelessly to ensure that Atiwa Forest becomes a National Park.”

On his part, the President of MUSIGA, Bice Osei Osei Kuffour, thanked the Chief for his support saying “we are very grateful for your deep advice, we have been enlightened more and we know for a fact that it will help us and boost our morale to go all heights to reach out to government to pass a legislation to make the Atiwa Forest a National Park”

“Nana, our major worry is the number of people who are being affected by the activities of illegal miners, their acts are polluting the rivers Densu, Birim and other 19 streams which also take their source from the Atiwa forest. Over 5 million people in our country depend on these rivers for water daily, and if nothing is done about preserving the forest it will be dangerous in the near future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the group has composed a campaign song for the project titled “Atiwa till eternity”, after a night’s camping in the forest.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Okyehene commits to fighting galamsey in Atiwa forest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.