AFRIMA announces 2018 programme

This year the event, which has Africa is Gold as its theme, will take place from 21 November to 24 November at different locations in Ghana.

“On behalf of His Excellency, the President of Ghana and the people of the Republic of Ghana, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana welcomes African artists, African media and event delegates to the 5th All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA Ghana 2018," said Ghana's Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Catherine Afeku.

"We take pride in ourselves in hosting this continental awards between November 21 and 24 which is consistent with our national development agenda to the growth of culture and the creative arts. We project a boost to the tourism economy of Ghana and the creation of opportunities for artists and investors in the culture and creative arts industry of Ghana."

AFRIMA events will begin on 21 November with the Welcome Soiree, a reception in honour of arriving AFRIMA nominees and delegates, African Union officials, members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, media and other invited guests. This will be followed by the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) on 22 November at the Ballroom, Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, Accra.

Under the theme African Music in a Global Village: Leveraging the Opportunities, the summit will "interrogate and strategize on the business of music in Africa while charting a synergistic way forward for development and economic empowerment for the musical talents. It is a platform for business networking and interaction among music professionals, music executives, government officials and other stakeholders in the music, media and financial sectors of Africa while discussing the potentials present in the continent’s music industry and ways to harness its socio-economic gains."

Later in the day, African music lovers will enjoy performances by artists across the continent at the AFRIMA Music Village, "a festival-style music concert" at Independence Square in Accra. The concerts will end by morning. A tour of Accra follows on 23 November. The Nominee’s Party succeeds the tour.

The awards ceremony proper takes place on 24 November at the Accra International Conference Centre. Wrapping up the programme is the fifth AFRIMA After-Party at the Pool Bar, Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast, also in Accra.