AS the 10th KORA All Africa Music Awards gets underway in South Africa, Ghanaians will focus their attention on Tagoe Sisters and Praye, two Ghanaian groups that have nominated to compete for the best group title in West Africa.

For obvious reasons Ghanaians will be rooting for their own kind in far away Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa.

The two groups will be competing on Sunday to upstage other nominees like Bantu and Styl-Plus both from Nigeria and Leg Def from Nigeria.

Tagoe Sisters are entering the competition with their hit son "Eto Betwe" while Praye will mount the world stage with their album "Ntitiase."

Already artists from all around the world have invaded Durban to participate in the four day entertainment extravaganza.

Partly in commemoration of its 10th anniversary, and in a renewed commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria, Kora has added some major changes into this years’ line up.

For the first time in their 10 years of existence; equally excitingly, the ceremony now incorporates a spectacular opening ceremony and two blow-out concerts featuring a total of 52 bands performing on four stages over two days of the Kora Festival!

Dancehall reggae superstar Shaggy and African diva Angelique Kidjo will be the MC’s for the shows and the Kora Awards.

"We’re thrilled with how Kora 10 has turned out" comments Ernest Adjovi, executive producer of the Kora Awards, "Our aim was to mark Kora’s 10th anniversary with a real musical spectacular, and by hosting a stadium show over two days, featuring an incredible line-up of African and international talent, what better way to celebrate 10 years of excellence in African music?"

Groups from the African continent, the Caribbean, Europe and the U.S. will all perform at the concerts, part the proceeds will be donated to NGOs fighting the double scourges of HIV/AIDS and malaria. Malaria, a preventable disease, also known as Africa’s silent killer, is responsible for over 2.5 million deaths a year in Africa alone.

The efforts from the concerts will in part, be dedicated to setting up a factory that produces nets dipped in malaria repellent, a tried and tested, cost-effective measure against the spreading of malaria. Thus far, the government of Benin has donated five hectares of land for the factory to be built.

With their impressive artist line-up, the Festival has attracted music loving crowds throughout South Africa and the African continent.

"From a technical perspective, Kora 2005 represents an awesome development in the staging of live shows in South Africa," explains Brent Westoby of production house ThreeWay Tv.

"We’ll be hosting four major events in as many days, each one requiring an arsenal of sound, lighting and stage elements of their own - there’s the opening ceremony, the Kora Festival - two days of major concerts featuring 52 artists on four stages, a fashion show, and finally the Kora Award ceremony itself - it’s mind blowing."

In effect, the Festival, Fashion Show and Awards Ceremony will be utilizing stage, light and sound equipment from Gearhouse and other technical suppliers.
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