Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Catherine Afeku has urged musicians across the continent to use their music to help change the African narrative.

According to her, the continent has an abundance of intelligent, talented and powerful musicians who can use their music to help promote development to change the narrative of Africa.

Speaking at the 5th edition of All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) held in Accra over the weekend, the Minister said, “I trust that the narrative of Africa will change and it will change through music, art and culture. We can use music as a conduit for peace and send a strong signal to the rest of the world that Africa has its challenges but we have overcome most of them,” she said.

She added that "Our musicians are very talented, intelligent and they are ambassadors of hope to the next generation”.

Mrs. Afeku stated that with a collective goal, AFRIMA can be a force to be reckoned with at the international level.

“It is my belief that together we can put AFRIMA on a competitive tie and have a stronger voice in an increasingly competitive world. We want the people of this beautiful continent and the rest of world to see this as a call to duty; a call to every creative artiste in Africa, from the North to the South, to the East and the West.”

She stressed that the potential for economic growth and development related to the tourism and creative arts industry are fully-recognized at both the continental and international levels.

She expressed delight that Ghana was hosting this year’s event which seeks to put the creative arts agenda on the table.

Mrs. Afeku further explained that Ghana has a wide range of unique and exciting natural, cultural and historical attraction as well as a number of events with international and domestic appeal including PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations, paragliding festival, carnivals, choral festivals, national festival of arts and culture homogenous festival.

According to her, it’s imperative for Africans to come together in order to re-energize the continent to be sold as preferred tourism destination to share our beautiful sight with the rest of the world.

“It’s for this reason that Ghana institutionalized “See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana and Feel Ghana” campaign to drum home the huge tourism potential with an exciting range of products from culture, eco-tourism, heritage, beach and conference tourism serving as unique ingredients of any enticing destination”.

Mrs. Afeku further expressed her appreciation to the African Union and AFRIMA representatives for trusting and handing over the hosting rights to Ghana.

She called on all to sample the delights that Ghana has to offer the rest of Africa.