Volta musicians to launch musical concert for peace

By: Samuel Agbewode

THE PEACEFUL nature of the 2012 general elections has been a major concern of a group of musicians feverishly preparing to embark on a project in the 18 districts of the Volta Region to compose songs that would help create the needed awareness about the need for all in the region to see peace as cardinal in the development efforts of the region and the nation in general.

The musicians, who named the programme as “Stars of Volta Preach Peace,” are under the leadership of a popular musician in the region, Mr. Anthony Dagbey, popularly known as Tony ‘D’, with an experienced broadcast journalist at Volta Star Radio, Mr. Kwami Senyo, affectionately called ‘Fo Senyo,’ as the Project Coordinator, while a famous sound Engineer, Zap Mallet, would be responsible for quality sound for the peace project.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Volta File, the Executive Director and initiator of the project, Tony ‘D’, in the regional capital Ho, said he had made his musical studio available for the successful take-off of the project, and mentioned sixteen very experienced musicians who had been assembled to carry out the peace project.

Tony ‘D’, Managing Director of the Tony ‘D’ Company Limited, explained that “Stars of Volta Preach Peace” was a project aimed at using music and comedy to preach the message of avoiding violence and maintaining peace and tranquility in the region during this year’s general electioneering activities.

He further explained that elections in some African countries over the years were characterised with violence, some of which escalated into devastating civil wars, noting that even though Ghana had managed to go through four successful presidential and parliamentary elections, there were still fears that if care was not taken, the country could experience similar violence.

The experienced musician said the use of abusive language, as well as provocative statements, by some politicians, and the violence which characterised the biometric voter registration exercise at some registration centers, and a few other clashes by supporters of some political parties, were enough evidence that all was not well, hence the initiation of the peace project in the region.

Tony ‘D’ continued that in an attempt to forestall the escalation of violence, the 15 musicians, carefully selected from the region, intended to launch a campaign on the need for all to guard against all actions which could disturb the peace and security of the region and the country in general.

According to him, the musicians had composed special songs, aimed at not only at entertaining the people, but also at reiterating the need for politicians and their supporters to avoid acts which might lead to violence before, during and after the elections.

Tony ‘D’ said the songs were being recorded, and would be produced into a full album, which would be launched in Ho soon.

Tony ‘D’ stressed that after the launch, the musicians would embark on regular tours of all the 18 districts of the region, in order to perform “Peace Musical Concerts,” and that since the purpose of the project was to preach a message of peace to as many people as possible, attendance at all the shows would be free and devoid of any gate fees to ensure full patronage by the populace.

He pointed out that key personalities from all the political parties in any given district would be invited to the concerts, and that in the course of the performances, politicians such as members of parliament, municipal and district chief executives, and parliamentary aspirants would be called upon one after the other to pledge their commitment to ensuring national unity, peace and tranquility to the audience.

According to the famous musician, the public performances, which would serve as sources of social entertainment to the large audiences who would be in attendance, would also be used to educate them on the role of the individual in ensuring peaceful electioneering in the forthcoming general elections.

Tony ‘D’ said the musical concert would help in bringing all the members of the various political parties together, and whom some members of the public regard as “opponents.” He further said that at the end of every show, participants at the music show would return to their houses with the full understanding that elections ought not to be seen as a “do or die” affair.

The carefully selected musicians in the region for the project include Raps Ziggy, Edinam Ansah, Israel Mawoeta, Joe Kapito, Apolo Mandi, Euery Day, Etse, Mama Grace, Stella Ganyo, C.K. Doh, Seth Tsikata, Obonana, Smart Hadzi and Joseph Akpalu.

 

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