Ghana: Super Opong Stars to headline 5 December peace concert

Organised by the embassy of Spain in Accra and Spanish cultural organisation Casa Africa, the concert will be held in honour of democratic values and peaceful elections.

The organisers say the event is also geared towards strengthening Ghanaian and Spanish relations.

Formerly known as Kyekyeku & Ghanalogue Highlife, Super Opong Stars have performed at high-profile events including Montreux Jazz Festival and Canary Jazz Festival, among other stages across Africa and Europe.

Other musicians confirmed for the concert are rapper Ayesem, highlife legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, the Evergreen Brass Band, and Afro-fusion band Fra! which toured Spain’s biggest music festivals last year.

Super Opong Stars bandleader Kyekyeku told Music In Africa that his band’s performance would see them “add our voice to the call for peace and calm before, during and after the presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana.”

“Music is a strong tool for conveying information to the masses,” Fra! leader George Ashirifie Gogoe said. “So we are honoured to join our brother Kyekyeku spread the message of peace as our general elections draw nearer.”

Asked what organising a live performance during the COVID-19 pandemic entails, Kyekyeku said: “The virtual world is new to our project, so that brought a lot of excitement. It also felt a bit communally driven, with everyone gravitating to a desire to find a way around the restrictions.”

The concert will be livestreamed for free on Casa Africa and Super Opong Stars’ Facebook pages from 8pm GMT. There will also be solidarity messages from the artists on the line-up to promote inter-political dialogue and a violent-free atmosphere during the election.

Meanwhile, the Super Opong Stars are finishing up their new album in the city of Kumasi. Kyekyeku says his band is heavily inspired by the city, which is famous for its highlife bands and vinyl production outfits.