Guinea embraces AFRIMA 2019, treats AU stakeholders to display of culture

The officials of African Union Commission (AUC) and members of the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) were hosted by the government and people of the Republic of Guinea during the African Union Stakeholders’ meeting held between Thursday, June 13 and Saturday, June 15, 2019 in Conakry, to propagate the idea and objectives of AFRIMA, in line with the AU Agenda 2063, Charter for African Cultural Renaissance and the Plan of Action on Cultural an    d Creative Industries.

The stakeholders’ meeting was in a bid to get the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance ratified among African countries, alongside promoting the AFRIMA objectives and its programme of events for the sixth edition which commenced on May 10, 2019, which will culminate in the main events in November 2019.

The AU and AFRIMA delegation was received by the Guinea Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Sports on behalf of the government.

On hand to meet the delegation were stakeholders from the creative and arts industry, including music professionals, music executives, members of cultural group association, members of Guinea Dance Troupe and the media.

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The African Union and AFRIMA delegation included the Head of Culture, African Union, Ms Angela Martins, the President/Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr Mike Dada; Director-General, African World Heritage Fund, Varissou Shuaib and Director of the Observatory of Cultural Policies in Africa (OCPA), Professor Lupwishi Mbuyamba, who were hosted at the National Museum in Conakry with the best of Guinean’s rich culture and heritage, artefacts; ancient musical instrument reflecting the cultural journey of the Guineans.

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Monsieur FodebaIsto Keira, the Secretary-General/Permanent Secretary expressed happiness that the AU and AFRIMA visited the Republic of Guinea for the purpose of entrenching the values and opportunities in the culture and creative industry in Africa. He pledged the support of the government and people of the Republic of Guinea to the AFRIMA initiative.

The team also paid a courtesy visit to the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Guinea,  Dr.Claus Kory Kondiano.

Addressing attendees and journalists, Mr Dada enjoined participation of African music lovers in the ongoing entry submission for the sixth edition of AFRIMA, where eventual nominees will compete in the 36 various categories for the AFRIMA 23.9 carat gold-plated trophy. He also reiterated that entry submission of songs will close on August 2, to which some respondents pledged to uphold the AFRIMA objectives in accordance with the AU policy on Africa transformation through social integration, a mission embarked upon by AFRIMA since its first edition of the awards in 2014.