Music Society launched to promote Ghana’s cultural identity

The Ghana Music Society (GHAMS) was officially launched last Thursday at the University of Ghana (UG) in Accra, with the aim of promoting Ghana’s cultural identity through music and the arts.

GHAMS is also expected to play a key role in advancing music research, performance, and cultural preservation, both locally and internationally. As part of the launch, a newly elected Executive Council was inaugurated to steer the affairs of the society.

The Council is chaired by Professor Daniel Avorgbedor, assisted by Dr Adwoa Arhine as Vice President, Dr Eric Sorvu Doe as General Secretary, and Professor John Annan as Treasurer.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Avorgbedor urged stakeholders to renew their commitment to promoting Ghana’s cultural identity through music, dance, and the creative arts. He also highlighted the importance of investing in the creative and professional skills of the next generation through mentorship to ensure sustained growth in the creative arts sector.

Professor John Collins, who officially launched the society, narrated how music has historically been used to tell stories and predict moods, describing it as food for the soul. According to him, the society has come to stay and is ready to support individuals interested in being part of it.

He observed that Ghana has produced key pioneers who played pivotal roles in music, yet lacks an umbrella body to honour such personalities. He also underscored the need to extend creative arts education beyond the classroom to reflect the identity and values of the people.

The Chairman for the launch and Dean of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr Sylvanus Kuuvor, urged the society to focus on African themes and concepts of music. He explained that this would help promote African identity and enable musicians from the continent to stand out globally.

“We need to create our own identity and discuss anything that has to do with musical arts of Africa, and this initiative is here to stay to make it a success,” Dr Kuuvor said.

He therefore called on corporate bodies and the private sector to support the vision of the society in promoting Ghanaian culture, and urged the executive members to work collectively to achieve its objectives.

The event was attended by various stakeholders in the creative arts industry, including both local and international musicians, as well as academia.

By Linda Abrefi Wadie

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