Entertainment
Stonebwoy sells out 40,000 capacity Accra Sports Stadium for BHIM Concert 2023
Ghana music reached a new height with Stonebwoy’s hugely sold-out concert at Ghana’s historic Accra Sports Stadium, which affirmed his position as one of the biggest voices in today’s African music.
In a night that will undoubtedly go down in music history, Stonebwoy affectionately called 1GAD mesmerised a colossal crowd of about the forty-thousand-capacity sports stadium during the star-studded 2023 edition of the BHIM Festival, which featured not only his stellar performance but also an array of top-notch guest artistes from the Caribbean.
Having had a phenomenal run in the global music scene in 2023 and heralding a new age of music influenced by the African Caribbean vibrant sights and sounds, Stonebwoy delivered a spellbinding performance that showcased his musical prowess and stage presence.
Accra Sports Stadium plunged into darkness, illuminated solely by the glow of phone lighters scattered throughout the audience, and anticipation built as the ground beneath the stage split open to reveal a rising platform.
In a breathtaking moment, Stonebwoy ascended from below, captivating the audience with a grand entrance that set the tone for an extraordinary night.
Once in the spotlight, Stonebwoy dazzled the crowd with an extravagant costume that seamlessly blended artistic expression with performance flair.
The outfit, a testament to the artiste’s creativity, played a pivotal role in enhancing the visual spectacle of the night, reflecting and refracting the vibrant stage lights.
Stonebwoy commenced the first of his three sets with an eclectic performance of “Manodzi,” which features multi-grammy award-winning international singer Angelique Kidjo.
With elaborate lighting and an array of dancers, the crowd got wilder, loudly singing every lyric in sync and even climbing the stage as Stonebwoy went deeper into the set, which saw him perform live renditions of songs off his chart-topping body of work “5th Dimension.
The songs were “Life and Money”, “African Systems”, “Forget”, “My Sound”, “More Of You”, “Into The Future”, “Secret Lover”, “Ava Wum Lo” and more.
As his 2019 smash “Kpokeke” began his second set, many fans left their seats and began dancing in the aisles.
Before his final set, which seamlessly transitioned into collaborations with a lineup of local guest artists, BHIM Concert 2023 marked the inaugural performances in the country of this year’s international guest artists, who shared the stage with the forty-thousand festival goers.
The stage came alive with energy as Jamaican music sensations Jahmiel and 10Tik shared the spotlight, adding new dimensions to this year’s elevated concert experience.
The stage was a canvas of creativity, with innovative and visually stunning designs that transported the audience into a different world.
The interplay between lighting effects and the stage settings enhanced the overall aesthetic, creating a mesmerising environment that perfectly complemented the music.
The synchronised light displays added an extra layer of drama, making each moment on stage unforgettable. Aural perfection was also achieved with a state-of-the-art sound system that brought music to life.
Accra Sports Stadium resonated with clear audio, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the sonic journey.
Later in the show, Stonebwoy announced that the popular BHIM Concert will become a multi-day cultural and music celebration next year.
The concert has established itself as Ghana’s largest-scale and highly patronised artist-led music festival and once again proved to be a highlight on the music festival calendar.
Since its inception, the festival has featured a huge lineup of highly reputed musical artists from across Africa and the Caribbean, most notably Busy Signal, Beenie Man, Morgan Heritage, and more.
Africa’s celebrated music icon and highlife maestro, Kojo Antwi, has been selected as the headline performer for the 2026 Europe Day reception in Accra, marking a historic 50 years of partnership between the European Union (EU) and Ghana.
The event, scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 6:00 pm, forms part of activities commemorating the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic, trade, and cultural relations between Ghana and the EU, which dates back to 1976.
Europe Day remains one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings on Ghana’s calendar, traditionally attracting more than 600 guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials, and key stakeholders from various sectors.
The 2026 edition will be celebrated under the theme “Golden Bridge,” symbolising half a century of friendship, cooperation, and shared values between Ghana and the European Union.
Organisers say the evening will feature a rich cultural showcase, with Kojo Antwi affectionately known as “Mr Music Man” and “The Maestro” leading the entertainment segment.
His signature blend of highlife, soul, and Euro-African rhythms is expected to bring a fitting artistic touch to the milestone celebration.
In an official invitation letter signed by Rune Skinnebach on behalf of the EU and dated Wednesday, May 6, 2026, organisers described Kojo Antwi as the ideal choice for the occasion.
The letter stated: “We therefore cannot think of any better artiste to lift this special occasion to new levels of entertainment and national pride.”
It further expressed hope that the celebration would strengthen future collaboration, noting: “We hope this event will transform into sustained collaboration and partnership in the future.”
Kojo Antwi remains one of Africa’s most respected musical figures, with a career spanning decades and 13 acclaimed albums to his credit.
Widely regarded as the “King of Love Songs,” he has consistently delivered timeless hits that continue to resonate across generations.
From his early performances in Europe with his first band to his illustrious solo career in Ghana, the Maestro’s journey has been defined by creativity, resilience, and global recognition consistently projecting Ghana’s cultural excellence on the world stage.
Beyond his music, Kojo Antwi’s influence extends across the African entertainment landscape, inspiring generations of musicians. He recently expanded his legacy with the release of his memoir, “Mr Music Man: The Journey,” a deeply personal account of his life, artistry, and enduring impact making him one of the few African musicians to chronicle his story in his own words.
As Europe Day 2026 approaches, organisers say the choice of Kojo Antwi reflects more than entertainment value, but a celebration of an enduring cultural bridge between Ghana and Europe honouring a living legend whose music continues to unite hearts across continents.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
Veteran Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame has announced a new initiative aimed at engaging teachers and students through music and creativity.
The award winning artiste in a social media post revealed that the “Clap Challenge” will begin this week, starting with schools across the country.
He explained that the challenge will require a teacher together with students to record a video of themselves singing his “Clap” song.
According to him, the video must be lively and engaging to stand a chance of winning.
He stated that participants must also post their videos on social media with permission from their school authorities.
They are expected to use the hashtag #clap4others and tag him on any social media platform.
He added that one teacher will be selected as a winner every week and will receive a cash prize of GH¢1,000.
He noted that the final decision on winners will be made by him.
The musician encouraged teachers and students to take part in the challenge, stressing that it is designed to promote creativity, unity and positive expression among young people in schools.
This follows a GHC100,000 support from businessman, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, who lauded the musician for composing a song which has the tendency to change society and help eschew jealousy.
By: Jacob Aggrey
