Musicologist urges for music-led cultural renaissance
Mr Godwin Senyo Dzoagbe, a Senior Lecturer at the EP University College has observed that Ghana needs a music-led cultural renaissance to enable it to stand distinct on the world’s tourism market.
Mr Dzoagbe, who is also a Musicologist, said music, described as the “soul of man,” should reflect the soul of Ghana, as not analogous to any other nation, and a must visit place for travel connoisseurs.
He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the Volta Regional Choral Music Festivals, held in Ho on Friday.
The festival, which is being held in all regions to pick groups for a national festival, is the initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and implemented by the Ghana Tourism Authority, (GTA).
Mr Dzoagbe expressed regrets about the over commercialization of music, which has resulted in the generally non-scholastic appreciation of music across Ghana.
He said music was a mirror of the cultural background of a people and must be taken seriously at the national development level.
Alhaji Suleman Amadu, a Resource Officer at the GTA Volta Regional Office observed that “choral music was an integral part of tourism,” and called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to form local choirs to perform at functions.
He also urged tourism practitioners, such as hoteliers, to use choral groups during conferences and other social gatherings held at their premises.
Mr Amadu regretted the inability of some districts to sponsor groups.
Melodious Voices of Volta, based in Ho, emerged the best among the eight participating choirs.
The Mafi-Kumase EP Church Choir, representing the North-Tongu District placed second , whilst Saint Cecilia Parish Choir and Good News EP church Choir from Agortime-Kpetoe, representing Kpetoe-Ziope District tied for the third position.
Unity Choir Group from Krachi-West District was fourth and Akatsi Anyiheme Youth Choir, representing Akatsi District and Peki Senior High School (SSS), representing South-Dayi District also tied for the fifth position with Tadzewu Agbevekope ARS Choir from Ketu-North coming sixth.
The Winner received a cash prize of GHC 1,000.00, GHC 500.00 went to the 1st runner up, and the two choirs that tied for the third position got GHC 250.00 each.
Evaluation was based on interpretation of the music, rendition, blending and conducting among others.
The choirs sang two compulsory songs and two optional ones.
Melodious Voices of Volta, the first prize winners, qualifies to participate in the national contest in November to select three top choirs to represent Ghana at the Africa Sing Aloud Choral Music international festival to be held at the National Theatre in Accra and the Cape Coast Castle from March 29 to 30, 2014.
The events at the regional, national and international levels, are being organized by the Ghana Tourism Authority with support from the International Federation of Choral Music and the Global African Foundation for Choral Music.
Source: GNA