By: Alberta Asanewa Dwirah
The Interim President of the Ghana Music Society, Professor Daniel Avorgbedor, has urged stakeholders to renew their commitment to promoting Ghana’s cultural identity through music, dance, and the creative arts.
Speaking at the Society’s inaugural launch in Accra, Professor Avorgbedor emphasised that creative arts education must extend beyond the classroom to reflect the identity and values of the people. He noted that the arts remain a powerful platform for projecting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage onto the global stage.
“At the same time, it’s about selling ourselves abroad through the arts, our culture. We have to make sure that when we say music, we are representing our culture, because the idea of music is broader than just the sounds you may hear,” he stated.
He also highlighted the need to invest in the next generation by mentoring young people in both creative and professional skills to ensure sustained growth in the sector. According to him, the Society seeks to be inclusive, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those without formal music training.
“When you read our objectives, we have categories for people who are not formally trained in music. We want to reach a broad spectrum of people, encouraging all kinds of music, and not just one particular segment,” he added.
Professor Avorgbedor further announced that provisions have been made for young people, particularly students, to join the Society without paying membership fees. He explained that the initiative is designed to identify, nurture, and develop emerging talent for the future of Ghana’s creative industry.
A stakeholder and founder of the Winneba Youth Choir, Edusei Derkyi, noted that music has the power to shape national identity and aspirations. He urged the Society to uphold sincerity, transparency, and a strong sense of purpose, especially in managing grants and partnerships. He also called on government to implement policies that would encourage greater private sector support for the arts.
The Chairperson of the launch, Dr. Sylvanus Kuwor, called for renewed attention to indigenous African musical traditions. He advocated the development of local systems of musical notation and instruments capable of fully expressing Ghanaian musical forms.
“My concern is that we don’t recognise our own musicians because they are playing only drums. You want someone on the piano reading notes before you say he is a musician,” he added.
Dr. Kuwor expressed concern that traditional musicians are often undervalued, particularly those who do not rely on Western notation systems. He, however, expressed optimism that, with a strong foundation, future leaders would build on the Society’s vision to advance Ghanaian music and culture.
The Ghana Music Society is expected to play a key role in advancing music research, performance, and cultural preservation, both locally and internationally.
