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Afro Nation has not been taken away from Ghana – Creative Arts Minister
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Awal Mohammed, has said that the government’s partnership agreement with Afro Nation still holds.
He told Joy FM in an interview on the sidelines of an editors’ forum held at the Accra City Hotel on Monday, August 14, 2023 that the concert will still be held in Ghana despite the announcement that Nigeria will be having its version this year.
“Afro Nation has not been taken away from Ghana. We even had a meeting last week. We discussed it. There are certain demands they want and we are trying to look at how to collaborate. It has not been taken yet. But we have alternatives,” he said.
Asked if Afro Nation will be held again in Ghana he answered: “most likely. Very likely. This year, over the next three years.
”The government of Ghana signed a deal with Event Horizon Entertainment Limited to host Afro Nation in Ghana for five years.
This was after the concert was first held in Ghana from December 27 to 30, 2019 at the Laboma Beach in Accra.
The deal between the Ghanaian government and the organisers of Afro Nation was signed in the presence of the President, Nana Akufo-Addo and the Ghana Tourism Authority.
A few months ago, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyemang, said in an interview on Asaase Radio that he was apprised of information that other countries had expressed interest in having events like AfroFuture (formerly Afrochella) and Afro Nation.
“We want to go back to cabinet and say ‘this is the document, this is what we did in ‘December in GH’, this is what they are saying, this is the impact, these are the numbers that came in; for us to sustain this to a level,” he said.
“Other countries are pushing. I mean I know, Ruddy, talk to the Afrochella guys and Little Havana. People have approached them. Countries have approached them to bring the events to them,” he added.He said this while stressing the need for Ghanaians to cherish the Beyond the Return agenda and the benefits it has brought the nation.
Apart from Afro Nation Ghana, there are Afro Nation U.S., Afro Nation Puerto Rico, Afro Nation Mexico, and Afro Nation Portugal.
The organizers of Afro Nation have signed a 5-year partnership deal with the government of Ghana. The first edition was held in December 2019, took a break due to the coronavirus pandemic and returned in December 2022.
Some Ghanaians have expressed concern about how it may affect Afro Nation Ghana and the whole December in GH initiative.
Afro Nation was founded by Adesegun Adeosun aka SMADE of Smade Entertainment and his partner Obi Asika.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has issued a strong public statement calling for an end to what he describes as continuous attacks on his brand, following an apology from media commentator Awal Mohammed.
In the statement, Shatta Wale acknowledged the apology but stressed that persistent criticism and what he sees as deliberate attempts to damage his image must stop.
He noted that for many years, he has spoken for the streets, the youth, and people who feel ignored by society, while also promoting Ghana on the global stage and creating jobs through his work.
He expressed concern that some media personalities, commentators, and influential figures continue to target his name unfairly.
According to him, the issue goes beyond music and touches on respect, fairness, and national maturity.
The musician warned that continued disrespect toward voices that represent ordinary people could have wider consequences.
He emphasised that the Shatta Movement remains strong and organized, and that the patience of the masses should not be taken for granted.
He added that if systems continue to fail the people, they have the ability to organize politically through numbers and truth, not violence or hate.
Shatta Wale clarified that his message was not a threat but a reminder of reality, stressing that attacking a symbol that represents millions of people can have social, cultural, and democratic effects.
He called for respect, fairness, and unity, saying the voice of the people will always rise.
The statement comes after Awal Mohammed recently described Shatta Wale fans during a public discussion as junkies.
The comments triggered backlash from fans of the musician, prompting Awal to later issue an apology.
By: Jacob Aggrey
