AFRIMA returns with 2018 calendar unveiling

The unveiling of the 2018 calendar will take place in Accra, Ghana, at an event supported by the Ghanaian government and the African Union (AU). While the latter has been a part of the event for years, the Ghanaian government’s involvement is a novelty.

Last year, the Lagos State government hosted members of the AFRIMA team as well as selected musicians. This year the AFRIMA team, which comprises AFRIMA executive producer Mike Dada, director of brand communications Matlou Tsotetsi, regional director for Western Africa Don Obilor and others, will pay a visit to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. A group of unnamed music industry professionals will also join the AFRIMA team to meet the Ghanaian president.

“Arts and culture, as a sector, remains one of Africa’s greatest strengths,” Ghana’s minister of tourism, arts and culture, Catherine Afeku, said. “As well as being a source of values, identity and a sense of belonging, the creative industries have become a driver of economic growth and job creation.

"In agreeing to host the AFRIMA 2018 calendar unveiling, the government of Ghana is motivated by the need to harness the potential of the creative sector of Ghana to promote national and regional tourism. We congratulate the AU for lending its weight behind this laudable effort.”

Under the theme Africa is Music, this year’s edition continues the organisers’ intention to recognise and reward “the work and talent of a myriad of African artists from the old to the new generation of musicians".

“Through its conference, AFRIMA also stimulates conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the world about the potential of the creative arts for real humanising enterprise on the continent, contributing significantly to social cohesion, national, regional and continental integration as well as sustainable development,” the organisers said.