The Highlife artist, Terry Asare Boamah, also known as Dada Hafco, commends Afua Asantewaa from Sing-A-Thon for rescuing Ghanaian music from its negative image of failing to captivate audiences. He appreciates Asantewaa for shedding a positive light on Ghanaian music, proving skeptics wrong with her impactful showcase, which debunked misconceptions and elevated the reputation of local music.
Afua Asantewaa, a media personality and mother of three, recently captivated a crowd at the Akwaaba Village in Accra during her Sing-A-Thon, where she sang Ghanaian music for days. Dada Hafco expressed his enthusiasm, highlighting her positive impact on Ghanaian music at a time when it faced criticism. According to him, Asantewaa dispelled the notion that Ghanaian songs couldn’t engage audiences, countering the negative perception. He praised her for bringing attention to the richness of Ghanaian music and suggested that she be appointed as an ambassador for Ghanaian music. In the face of challenges, Asantewaa’s marathon singing event not only showcased her talent but also defended and uplifted the reputation of Ghanaian music, making a lasting impact on its perception.
In the days leading up to Afua Asantewaa’s Sing-A-Thon, a lively debate ensued regarding the popularity of Ghanaian music. Critics argued that it lacked the necessary elements to be the preferred choice for event patrons. The prevailing narrative was so robust that there were doubts about Asantewaa receiving substantial support for exclusively performing Ghanaian music during her record-breaking attempt. Despite these concerns, her five-day project defied expectations, eliciting an ecstatic response from the crowd.
Dada Hafco, currently promoting his song “Puupuu,” recalled the last time he witnessed Ghanaians rallying behind their music and artists. This unity was reminiscent of 2018 when rapper Kwesi Arthur earned a BET nomination. Asantewaa’s Sing-A-Thon successfully challenged the skepticism surrounding the appeal of Ghanaian music, showcasing its ability to captivate audiences and garner significant support, thus reshaping perceptions within the industry.
Subsequently, Dada Hafco noted that the glory of Ghanaian music has been obscured by criticisms and unfavorable comparisons to Nigerian music. However, he remains hopeful that the narrative will shift with the success of Afua Asantewaa’s Sing-A-Thon. During the event, she energetically performed a mix of old and new Ghanaian songs, eliciting cheers from the enthusiastic crowd at the Akwaaba Village. Hafco reflects on the last time such widespread support was witnessed in Ghanaian music, recalling the unity during Kwesi Arthur’s BET nomination, anticipating a positive change in the current perception.
Together, we should find a way to continue such great projects that promote our music. Afua Asantewaa has shown us it’s possible, and we should follow her lead. “I’m a proud Ghanaian musician, and it’s about time we showed the world that we are the diamond in the dirt that hasn’t been found yet,” he stated.