By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |
Volta Best Radio at the recently held 23rd Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, Kekeli Radio 102.9 has organised the biggest ever Ewe musical competition dubbed, Kekeli Ewe Music Festival.
The event which took place on Sunday at E.P. Church Elorm Parish, Ho-Bankoe formed part of activities lined up to herald the 5th anniversary celebration of the award-winning radio station later in December this year.
Kekeli Ewe Music Festival according to the Programmes Manager of Kekeli Radio, Israel Abotsivia, was meant to showcase the rich culture of the Ewe people through drumming and dancing.
He said, it was informed of the desire to let the listeners of the radio station feel a part of the celebration and the best way to rope everyone else in was through the binding force, music.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ho-based Kekeli Radio, a subsidiary station of Jubilee Radio 106. 9, Keta (the first private radio station in the region), Rev Norkplim Adikah called on the people to appreciate the Ewe language and be proud to speak it anywhere.
According to him, the language is an international one and offers great opportunities to its speakers, thus, the need for it to be taken serious.
The event which attracted huge number of patrons including traditional rulers and music experts saw impressive performances from a list of Ewe music genres including borborbor and agbadza which were part of four categories that performing groups numbering about 20 from various districts, contested in to win the bragging right as the champion group for the first ever Ewe musical concert to be organised in the region.
The contest started off with Choral Music, then Borborbor, Agbadza, and Unique Performance including atsyiagbekor by carefully selected performers.
Patrons were kept thrilled during the performance which started some minutes after 3 in the afternoon and travelled deep into the night (few minutes to midnight). Also, Solomon Ahiable and Rejoice Fiamor (both presenters at the station) who co-emceed the event constantly kept patrons gingered up with their witty jokes and dance moves.
At the end, Asogli Unity Borborbor, Ho-Bankoe beat off competitions in their category to emerge winners. New Generation from Agortime-Wodome carried the day for the Agbadza category. For the Unique Performance, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Youth, Ho-Depot were winners while St Anthony Catholic Church, Christ the King Choir from Sokode- Gbogame sang to victory in the Choral Music category.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Youth were declared the overall winners. Three groups, Israel Group, Good News Choir and CYB all from the host, E.P. Church Elorm Parish, Ho-Bankoe won Special, Well Behaved and Well Dressed awards respectively.
The champions were presented with awards as well as plaques for their rewards.
Patrons who Voltaonlinegh.com spoke to expressed excitement and asked that the Kekeli Radio should make Kekeli Ewe Music Festival an annual event.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
