Entertainment of Saturday, 4 January 2003

Source: GNA

National Musical Concert heralds Anniversary

The Ministry of Information and Presidential Affairs in conjunction with the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) on Saturday set the tone for the tenth anniversary celebration of the Fourth Republic and two years of positive change with a splendid national musical concert in Accra.

The Musical Concert attracted over eighty local and foreign seasoned artists, including Sonti Ndebeli a special guest artiste from South Africa, Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede Paapa Yankson, Felix Bell, Tic Tiac.

Others were Mac Tonto, Adani Best, Good Old Kofi Sammy, Ever Green Sony Achieba, Prince Osei Kofi, K. K. Kabobo.

The musical groups including Wulomei Cultural Troupe, the African Dance Ensemble, and the Asiedu Keteke Cultural Troupe were also present. The musicians, artists and groups entertained the crowd with Reggae, Highlife, Hip-life and other musical performance.

The concert was characterised by pomp and pageantry that show cased African rich musical and cultural values. The artistic and colourful display by musicians thrilled the large audience, which included Ministers of State, Diplomatic Corps, the Press, and a cross-section of people at the Independence Square.

The Guest Artistes Ndebeli lead the audience into musical expository of South African dance with her melodious voice and masterly display of artistic steps, intertwined with swinging of the body to the admiration and surprise of the audience. The ace Comedians Waterproof added comic to the night's performance with jokes.

The 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces added colour and military touch to the event, when it held the audience spell-bound for about 45 minutes with splendid fireworks that lit up the sky with beautiful colour works. Most of the audience the Ghana News Agency talked to commended the organisers for the orderly and peaceful atmosphere at the venue.

This was in a sharp contrast to last year's programme that ended abruptly when some of the excited audience surged to the stage, a development that almost resulted in a stampede.

In fact, the invading audience overwhelmed the few security men on duty and destroyed the fencing and electrical wiring at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle where the event took place, where the first anniversary of Kufuor's administration dubbed " one year of positive change," was also marked.