Northern Music Awards Honours Pioneers of Radio and Music in Northern Ghana

The first ever Northern Music Awards was held at the Radach Memorial Centre on Saturday August 1. The much attended event was organized by Northern Vision Events. 

                                      

The awards ceremony did not only award musicians in the Northern Region for their wonderful talents, veterans and pioneers of the music and radio industry in the region were recognized for the tremendous work they have done to make contemporary northern music what it is today. 

Photo Credit: Rama Attoh

                                             

Some of the industry players who were awarded are trailblazers of northern music Sirina Issah and Sheriff Ghale. Radio presenters: Mohammed Suleiman Abdul Nasir (Brother Nash), Ahmed Baako Alhassan (pioneer in radio in Tamale), Adamu Musah Alidu among others.

Sirina Issah honoured at the #NMA2015

Here is a full list of the winners at the maiden edition Northern Music Awards at Radach Memorial Centre in Tamale in no particular order. #NMA2015


1. Winner of the Artiste Of The Year Category Fancy Gadam



2. Winner of the Song Of The Year Category Fancy Gadam
Song Title: Takahi



3. Winner of the Music Video Of The Year Category Fancy Gadam Song Title: Ashili


4. Winner of the Best Collaboration Of The Year Category Dabba ft. Fancy Gadam Song Title: Zamzam Kom


5. Winner of the Traditional Song Of The Year Category Dabba Song Title: Tora



6. Winner of the Hiphop Artiste Of The Year Category Ataaka



7. Winner of the Rapper Of The Year Category Ataaka



8. Winner of the New Artiste Of The Year Category Double Boy Kenzy


9. Winner of the Highlife Artiste Of The Year Category Sister Z


10. Winner of the Best Group Of The Year Category Deensi



11. Winner of the Sound Engineer Of The Year Category Tizzle

Fancy Gadam was the biggest winner at Saturday's (1st August) #NorthernMusicAwards. He took home 4 of the 11 awards. #NMA2015.

Dabba and Ataaka took home two awards each at the #NorthernMusicAwards on Saturday. #NMA2015

Congratulations to all the winners at Saturday's #NMA2015: Fancy Gadam, Deensi, Dabba, Ataaka, Sister Z, Double Boy Kenzy, Tizzle.

The awards ceremony awarded eleven (11) categories this year. However, there are plans of adding more categories in subsequent events.

The organizers of the awards ceremony Northern Vision Events obviously put a lot into the organization and production of the event. We hope that next year more focus is put on publicizing the event through social media platforms in order to interact with people who are not physically present at the awards ceremony.

Sirina Issah Shines at Ghanafest 2015 in Chicago

This year's Ghanafest was held in Chicago on 25th July. Ghanafest is an event organized annually to bring together the Ghanaian community in the United States to socialize, network and catch up on the goings on back home in Ghana. During the event, young Ghanaians learn more about the diversity in Ghana's cultures and ethnic groups through the cultural dance performances, the foods and the Ghanaian languages that are represented at the event.

One of the pioneers of contemporary Northern Ghanaian music Sirina Issah opened the ceremony with the Ghana and America National anthems. Her melodious voice was soothing to all present and set the mood for the ceremony.

Sirina Issah singing the Ghana and American National Anthems

There were various Ghanaian dignitaries present at this year's Ghanafest in Chicago. Among them were the Ghana Ambassador to the United States: General Joseph Henry Smith, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts: Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, The Damongo Wura: Jakpa Lemon Tuntumba II who was the guest of honour.

The Damongo Wura

The Ghana Northern Union was greatly represented at Ghanafest this year. Members of the Union dazzled in their traditional gear. Many of the men wore intricately woven smocks (bingmahi) to celebrate the rich northern culture.

The Ghana Northern Union Chief Baba Issah Samori and wife Hilda Samori, and Queen Mother Hajia Habiba Fuseini.

The Africans in the diaspora were not left out either. They came in their traditional clothing to celebrate Ghanafest with their Ghanaian brothers and sisters.

The African-American Stool of Chicago

Various groups were represented. There were the Sisters of Haske Rasulullah

 Sisters of Haske Rasulullah-Chicago

Many of our Northern brothers and sisters turned up in their numbers. This is the pavilion of the Ghana Northern Union

The Ghana Northern Union Pavilion

Also present at this year's Ghanafest were some Ghanaian movie stars.

Ghanaian Movie Stars

Ghanaians living abroad were advised to uphold the beautiful culture and heritage of Ghana by teaching their children about Ghana's rich cultures and languages.

A guest advising parents to speak Ghanaian languages to their children

Popular TV Personality and Show Host Nana Adjoa Awindor of Greetings From Abroad fame was at Ghanafest this year.

There was a lot of fun and education at this year's Ghanafest held in Chicago on 25th July, 2015. Many attendees expressed the hope that in subsequent Ghanafests, Chiefs from the various ethnic groups in Ghana will be able to attend the event.

Photo Credit: Sirina Issah