Osibisa to perform at National theatre

Ghanaian artist wins international award

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April ’99

Mr. Teddy Osei, a member of the Osibisa group on Wednesday said "the final home coming explosion" to be held at the National theatre is an opportunity for the group to come together to perform for the last time in this millennium.

"It is not a matter of splitting up, we all have our own private business and is difficult getting everyone when we want to perform''.

The Osibisa group will continue to be there, but would not be as strong and effective as it used to be, he said.

Mr. Teddy Osei explained the issue during a courtesy call on Nana Akuoko Sarpong, chairman of National Commission on Culture, by the group, in Accra.

The "explosion" is also an opportunity to demonstrate, educate and give the young and upcoming musicians, lessons and share experience in music and stage performance.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong said, ''musicians are the real interpreters of life and music is a gift to civilisation",.

He suggested the group organise workshops to promote African Music as a ''legacy to all Ghanaians''.

Their "Home coming" also coincides with the celebration of "Emancipation Day", which commemorates the dispersion of black people all over the globe.

Mr Ebo Hawkson, Deputy Chairman of the Commission said, "Osibisa's home coming" is unique, since they serve as ambassadors of music, and asked them to educate the young ones who have lost direction in music.

In all, eleven other musical groups would be performing.

The group will also perform in Kumasi, pay a courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, tour the Elimina castle and hold a reception to interact with their fans.

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Accra (Greater Accra), 30^th April, ‘99 –

Mr Bruno Lefevre, representative of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Ghana, has presented a cheque for 3,000 dollars (7.5 million cedis) to Mr Samuel Lovi as his prize for placing second in Pottery at the this year's Conventional Handicraft Fair in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Mr Lovi was one of 15 Ghanaian artists out of over 40 others, mostly from Africa and Cuba, who participated in the Ouagadougou fair organised by UNESCO.

The presentation was made at the launch of a programme for the 30th anniversary celebration of The Loom, the first privately-owned art gallery in the country.

Major events of the celebration are monthly exhibitions of the works of Ghanaian artists from May to December, a dialogue between artists and the public in August, and a comprehensive catalogue of Ghanaian artists, including Mr. Lovi and Professor Ablade Glover.

Mr Lefevre noted that UNESCO will soon institute a programme to promote Ghanaian art which he described as being of ‘international standard’ and urged the Government to support the efforts of artists to enable them to rich greater heights.

He UNESCO is compiling a database on Ghanaian artists for international consumption, adding "we are also arranging for students from the West to travel to Ghana occasionally to familiarise themselves with Ghanaian art.

"We have also started a programme dubbed ‘Art in the Public Place’ under which works of local artists are given a place in the construction and decoration of foreign mission buildings, ministries, hotels and other public places."

Mr Nat Nuno-Amarteifio, former Chief Executive of AMA who chairman for the occasion called on the government to support art galleries in the country since they supplement the museums and interpret complex art works.

"Currently, I am negotiating with my business partners and some government agencies for the possibility of establishing an art museum in the city of Accra to promote a sense of national art," he said.

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