GUBA Enterprise CEO Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE has revealed that Ghana is not among the countries that have signed up for the Grammy Africa model.
The four founding countries of the initiative are Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa.
Although Ghana is not part of the founding members, Dentaa mentioned that Ghana will still be allowed to participate in the awards, but will not be able to host activities related to the Grammy Africa model.
She explained that Ghana could not finalize certain requirements with the Recording Academy, which led to the country being excluded from the founding members.
Dentaa expressed optimism that Ghana and Ivory Coast have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and once they fulfill the necessary requirements, they will be able to join the founding members and enjoy the benefits.
The creation of Grammy Africa is significant for the creative economies in the continent as it provides business opportunities and promotes African music on a global stage.
The initiative will celebrate the diversity of music in Africa and provide economic opportunities, industrial growth, and boost tourism.
The Recording Academy, organizers of the Grammy Awards, has announced plans to create an African version of the prestigious award scheme to support music creators on a global scale.
The Academy has entered into special agreements with Ministries of Cultures and key stakeholders in Africa and the Middle East to bolster its presence and services in these regions.
In its efforts to support music creators globally, the Academy aims to champion music creators at all levels, provide training programs, produce original content celebrating African and Middle Eastern music.
Enhancing support for existing members, advocating for strong Intellectual Property legislation, and collaborating with partners to develop the creative economy in these regions.
The exploration into the Middle East and Africa is just the first phase of the Academy’s plans to support music creators abroad.
The creation of the Best African Music Performance category in the Grammy Awards reflects the Academy’s commitment to representing music from Africa. Ghanaian drill and highlife are among the genres included in this category.
Overall, the establishment of Grammy Africa and the inclusion of African music in the Grammy Awards mark a historic milestone in the global expansion of the Recording Academy, providing opportunities for music creators in Africa to thrive on an international platform.
