The International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has withdrawn the hosting rights from Ghana for the 2019 and 2020 editions of AFRIMA.
AFRIMA cited the lack of capacity by the host country to meet the financial and contractual obligations entered on July 12, 2018, necessary to retain hosting the biggest music event in Africa.
The body reached the decision on Monday after several months of meetings and consultations with relevant stakeholders to remedy the situation with the expectation that Ghana would provide concrete assurances and guarantees to discharge its contractual obligations for hosting the 2019 and 2020 editions of AFRIMA after its disappointing performance on the contract during the 2018 edition of the awards held in Accra between November 21 and 24.
The decision of the African Union (AU) and AFRIMA to award a three-term hosting right (2018-2020) of the awards to Ghana followed the May 21, 2018 declaration of President Nana Akufo Addo of his desire to host the AFRIMA Awards in Ghana during the AFRIMA 2018 Calendar Unveiling Ceremony held in Accra.
The International Advisor of AFRIMA, Rikki Stein, while thanking the young people and the media in Ghana said: “It was a hard decision for us to withdraw the awards hosting rights for the next two years (2019 and 2020 editions) from the Republic of Ghana. As an awards owned for the African people, it is structured to travel around the continent giving the people the true African experience.”
He added: “We have some fond memories of our time in Ghana immersing ourselves in the lifestyle and music and we have formed great friendships among the Ghanaian people. We look forward to returning to Ghana at a more opportuned time. However, we cannot afford to compromise the standard of the laudable vision of AFRIMA to create a truly African brand that connects Africans and build the equity of Africa. The situation faced in Ghana has the potential to erode the goodwill and giant strides we have achieved in Africa through the awards.”
Mr. Stein, a former manager and friend of Afrobeat Legend, Fela Kuti, added that AFRIMA is geared to increase the tourism and entertainment equity of a host country as the host receives an influx of international and Africa dignitaries, AFRIMA nominees, music stars and executives who attend the four-day programme of activities.
The International Committee of AFRIMA said it is working to determine a new host country for the 6th edition of the annual AFRIMA to be announced in August 2019.
