In an emotion-laden appeal, the meeting of experts and ministers of youths, culture and sports in Africa called on African Union member states to give enormous support to the activities of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). The event was the African Union Second Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS2) held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from June 13 to 17.
The experts and ministers of tourism, culture and creative arts in Africa as well as their youth and sports counterparts salute the African Union and AFRIMA for the partnership and for making AFRIMA work. The ministers encouraged member states for further collaborations and called on African corporate giants to support AFRIMA initiative which will drive unity and growth on the continent.
In his support speech, The Deputy Minister of Culture and Communication, Senegal, Remi Sagna, said “AFRIMA cannot come at a better time than this. With our support, AFRIMA will serve the vacuum to promote African music and realness as well as encouraging our youth to be the best.”
AFRIMA is in line with The African Union Agenda 2063 being a framework for Africa’s development for the next 50 years presents itself as a crucial source to guide and inform initiatives by member states to provide their contribution from the culture and heritage sectors to the sustainable development of the Continent. Aspiration five of the AU Agenda 2063 addresses cultural issues and it aspires: “An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics; inculcating the spirit of Pan Africanism; tapping Africa’s rich heritage and culture to ensure that the creative arts are major contributors to Africa’s growth and transformation.
Reacting to the common cultural identity, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, stated that “AFRIMA is a good initiative and has the capacity to promote Africa beyond borders. You have our support.”
One of our cardinal objectives at The African Music Council, AMC, is to promote regional musical cooperation, interregional and international music cooperation. Therefore, we welcome AFRIMA contributions to Africa integration. We are solidly behind you. Said the President, The African Music Council, Lupwishi Mbuyamba.
At the end of the meeting of Ministers, there was a recommendation to make AFRIMA work and ready to promote the narrative of African story and asked everybody (corporate and government) to come on board to be part of the growing cultural movement of AFRIMA.
In recognition of its contributions to inspire African youths and raise the consciousness of African identity and renaissance through music, culture and entertainment for continental growth and development, an invitation was extended to AFRIMA through its President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada to address the STC-YCS2.
AFRIMA is a music property developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical culture of Africa, stimulate conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African musical and artistic heritage for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world for global competitiveness.
For the 2016 edition, AFRIMA 3.0 calendar opens as entry submission closes on July 30. The entry submission is open for entries from Artistes, Songwriters, Music/Entertainment Journalists, Video Directors, Music Producers, and unrecorded artistes across the continent and Africans in Diaspora.
The 2016 edition tagged “AFRIMA 3.0” will hold in November in Nigeria.