As it has been the case the world over, there are special dates and days set aside to honor and bring great joy on the faces of great achievers in all spears of human endeavor. Particularly, in the entertainment industry, we have the Grammy’s, Emmy, Oscars to mention but a few which honors musicians, actors, and other entertainers.
Over the past few years in our highly talent endowed country, there have been many awards night held to honor these entertainers, some have stood the test of time in spite of the many challenges that these organizers go through whilst other have fallen out because of the heat.
One such occasion which most musicians and other entertainers look up to apart from the Ghana Music Awards is the Sunshine Arts, & Music Awards (SAMA). This particular event has also gone through turbulent times but the organizers have marched on chest up to see to it that they play their part in uplifting event organizing and honoring our entertainers with particular focus on musicians.
The 5th edition of Sunshine Arts, & Music Awards (SAMA) will be launched in Accra in the second week of November, and the main event is scheduled to take place in December, 2007. There will be twenty-four (24) categories for honors this year. Last year 35 categories were awarded.
Sunshine Arts, & Music Awards started in 1999, and the first edition was held at the National Theatre on 12th June, 1999 under the chairmanship of former Chairman of the National Commission On Culture, Nana Akuoku Sarpong and was witnessed by top music producers at the time, including Osei Kwame Despite, Papcad Adjepong, Isaac Taylor of Roots Music World, Rexaboat, former MUSIGA President, the late Joe Mensah, Mr. Bosompra, Copyright Administrator, and many more.
On that day King Kwabena Onyina received the highest award as Ahomasiahene. He was nicely decorated with kente cloth, Ahenema, Akofena, and stool. The second edition took place on 26th May, 2000 at the Banquet Hall. The third edition was held on 2nd July, 2005 at Alliance Francaise in Accra.
The fourth edition took place on 9th December, 2006 at the National Theatre with Hon. S.K. Boafo, Minister for Chieftaincy & Culture as the guest speaker. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better organized in view preparations going on to honor Ghanaian creativity and authenticity.
Speaking to Okyeame Kwame Bediako, the President of SAMA, he said; “I don’t want to say much but the difference will be there for all to see. We have done our homework well and Ghanaians will witness something magnificent”.
