Afrimuda celebrates 10th anniversary: Calls for investment in nation's music and dance industry
The Chief Executive Officer of Afrimuda Foundation, John Kuubeterzie, has urged the government to pay attention to the development of the country's dance and music to optimize the sectors' potential to generate revenue for the country.
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He stated that it was important to resource and open up avenues for the nation's performing artists and groups to push them further unto the international stage and further advertise the country.
He was speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of Afrimuda in Cape Coast.
Mr Kuubeterzie said the sector held great potential to attract tourists and revenue to the country if given the needed attention and resources required for it's growth.
He observed that traditional music and dance had not received much attention in the past leaving the sector a pale shadow itself.
Touching on the foundation, he explained that his foundation was an acronym of African music and dance (Afrimuda) foundation and was basically to bring hope and leverage among numerous vulnerable youths of Cape Coast and environs using aspect of their culture as a means of attraction.
He added that apart from helping the vulnerable youth to develop their artistic talents, the foundation has strategically put in place a program for them to acquire training in some marketable skills areas to upgrade their status and be able to earn a better living.
Furthermore, the foundation has also nurtured dozens of its members and given exposure not only within the country but also outside the boundaries of Ghana adding that some of them were now professional artistes and were living their lives borad.
Mr Kuubeterzie, noted that in 2021, Afrimuda was nominated and adjudged the best Dance Group of the year by the Ghana Arts and Culture Awards organizers and they as well went on to win the best music group of the year award during it's 2022 edition of the awards program.
He urged the youth and the government to channel their attention to their cultural practices since it can help create employment for the youth.
However, he indicated the foundation still faces numerous challenges in finances, lack of donors and motivation and called for support to make them achieve their goals
The Chairman for the occasion, Rev Anthony Ato Hills added that most Christians had perception that playing drums and other cultural displays was a sin and saw it as a traditional and fetish.
He stated that it was important that children were made to love and appreciate our culture as a people.
He said the teaching of cultural dances and music in some of our tertiary institutions was commendable and called for more support for such courses.
"We cannot do away with our culture since it identifies us as Ghanaians and we should prioritize this culture," he added.