By Bismark Botchwey
Heritage Promotions has held the 15th edition of the Central Music Awards (CMA) Seminar for musicians and creative industry professionals in the Central Region.
The seminar, held at Cape Coast on Saturday, August 29, brought together musicians, artiste managers, media personalities, bloggers, content creators, event organisers and other key players in the creative industry from across the region’s 22 districts.
The annual seminar seeks to educate and equip creatives with knowledge and practical skills to develop their craft, strengthen their brands, build professional networks and promote their work to international standards.
Held under the theme “Celebrating the Journey, Taking Stock, Building Tomorrow,” the programme was moderated by Bismark Botchwey, Deputy Communications Executive at Heritage Promotions.
The seminar featured presentations from creative industry professionals and academics, including Candyman Lucas Mensah, media personality and founder of the Central Music Awards; Dr Margaret Delali Numekevor, a lecturer at the Department of Music and Dance at the University of Cape Coast; and Nana Ekua Apeatsewah II, former Chairperson of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Central Region.
CMA journey
Speaking on the topic “From an Idea to a Movement: The CMA Journey at 15,” Candyman Lucas Mensah shared insights into the experiences that led to the establishment of the Central Music Awards.
He highlighted some of the challenges encountered, achievements recorded and plans for the future of the awards, particularly the need to identify, nurture and promote musical talent from the Central Region to meet global standards.
As part of his contribution to the development of emerging talent, Mr Mensah announced a GH¢5,000 sponsorship package for the New Artiste of the Year category at the 15th Central Music Awards.
He said the sponsorship was motivated by his commitment to supporting and promoting emerging artistes in the region.
Dr Margaret Delali Numekevor, speaking on “Beyond the Awards: Building a Sustainable Future for Central,” urged creatives and industry stakeholders to develop structures capable of supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of the music industry.
She emphasised the need for strategic planning, professional development and sustainable revenue models that would enable musicians to earn a living from their creative works.
According to her, stakeholders must look beyond awards and recognition and focus on building an industry capable of creating sustainable economic opportunities for creatives over the next 30 years.
Creatives urged to embrace AI
Nana Ekua Apeatsewah II, former MUSIGA Chairperson for the Central Region, encouraged musicians to explore opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation, marketing and promotional content.
She also advised creatives to be willing to make strategic sacrifices and remain committed to their careers, noting that discipline and perseverance could create opportunities for greater professional growth.
The seminar also featured an open forum, giving participants an opportunity to engage in discussions on the challenges and opportunities within the creative industry.
Musicians and other industry stakeholders shared their experiences, concerns and ideas on how to build a stronger and more sustainable creative ecosystem in the Central Region.
The incumbent MUSIGA Central Regional Chairman, Clarence Kenneth Ekow Pieterson, popularly known as King Pee, urged musicians to take copyright protection seriously.
He encouraged artistes to properly register and license their musical works and other intellectual property to protect their creations from unauthorised use and safeguard their creative legacies.
The 15th Central Music Awards Seminar was sponsored by Groove Chills.
The seminar also coincided with the close of nominations for the 15th Central Music Awards, with creatives submitting their entries for consideration ahead of the awards’ 15th-anniversary celebration.
The 15th Central Music Awards are being celebrated under the tagline “CMA@15: The Story, The Legacy,” marking 15 years of recognising and promoting musical talents and contributors to the creative industry in the Central Region.
