Amandzeba With a maximum of 94 points, Ghana?s Amandzeba won the ultimate at the 7th International Alpine Music Festival held in Switzerland, a few weeks ago.

The festival, held in the tourist village of Saas-Fe attracted top European groups who could not rub shoulders with Amandzeba and his 24-man band, the Amandzeba Group.

In an interview with Showbiz after making his country proud, the visibly excited Amandzeba could not find-enough words to describe his impression, ?I think for any African musician to compete with real of gives a feeling of elation; I was really overwhelmed.?

For his prize, Amandzeba and his band were given a certificate and a special plaque.

Amandzeba told Showbiz that as soon as they got the invitation the band rehearsed everyday for a month and a half from mid May to the ending of June.

?It was very strenuous for the group, rehearsing everyday from about 7am but the difficulty was overcome because they realized that they were going to play big shows outside the country and that the profession they had chosen is of great value?.

What was the secret of their success? ?We presented ourselves as Africans first and Ghanaians in particular,? Amandzeba quickly added that what they did in Switzerland was obviously deeply appreciated but the same could not be said had the performance been done here in Ghana.

?We should promote our own kind of culture, our music and our food especially, these are not being looked at seriously and people in the arts live in poverty,? he said.

Amandzeba stressed on originality, ??We should make people develop the taste of what is truly African because typical indigenous music are being patronized in Europe, we are woefully in some serious underdevelopment because we don?t know how to reach the people.

?Ghana has so many rhythms, we need not import,? was his advice to his colleagues. He said it amazes him when people travel outside the country, perform to a small community of Ghanaians and come back with the impression that they have taken a successful tour, ?how can you come from a successful tour when you perform to only your community?? he asked.

He suggested that, during such tours, Ghanaian musicians should have a general African presence or a world presence.

Amandzeba called on the National Commission on Culture to make an effort to redirect musicians to market Ghana properly.

Commenting on the current trend in the local music industry, Amandzeba said, "we are living in a situation where the eldest son is killed when a new baby is born, every kind of music must be allowed to co-exist.?

Amandzeba believes that the likes of C.K. Mann, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Pat Thomas, Jewel Ackah, Ebo Taylor, Agya Koo Nimo, and the late Akwasi Ampofo Agyei should be given the recognition they deserve as living legends, ?they are still in existence but they are not recognized?.

He expressed gratitude to his wife Molly for financially supporting the group and making their trip to Switzerland possible.