At the maiden edition of the Onyimpon Awards, Stonebwoy, the celebrated Ghanaian Afropop star and reigning Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Artiste of the Year, took home the prestigious George Darko Prize for Culturally Rich Popular Music.
This award, named after legendary Ghanaian highlife musician George Darko, recognized Stonebwoy’s contributions to the fusion of traditional Ghanaian sounds with contemporary music, further cementing his position as a cultural icon.
The Onyimpon Awards were held on September 14th to mark the 125th birthday anniversary of Dr. Ephraim Amu, the Ghanaian musicologist renowned for his role in promoting traditional African music.
The organizers carefully selected the date to commemorate his legacy, noting that it was a deliberate statement on the importance of cultural heritage.
The event was graced by several high-profile dignitaries, with Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, serving as the Special Guest of Honour.
H.E. Edmond Moukala, UNESCO’s Country Director for Ghana, chaired the occasion, highlighting the international significance of Ghana’s cultural contributions.
The Onyimpon Awards, organized by the Center for Communication and Culture in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, the Ghana Culture Authority, and the Ghana Culture Forum, honored individuals and institutions for their excellence in promoting Ghanaian culture.
From musicians to playwrights, filmmakers, and visual artists, the awards aimed to celebrate those who have made significant contributions to the cultural landscape of the nation.
One of the most coveted categories of the night was the George Darko Prize for Culturally Rich Popular Music, which also saw a nomination for Noella Wiyaala, another renowned Ghanaian singer.
Although Wiyaala’s nomination highlighted her immense talent and dedication to cultural preservation, the award ultimately went to Stonebwoy, whose unique blend of afrobeat, reggae, and highlife captivated the judges.
Other notable nominations included Mohammed Ben Abdallah for the Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah Prize for Outstanding Minister of Culture, Kwaw Ansah’s Heritage Africa for the Chris Tsui Hesse Prize for Film, and Kweku Sintim Misa (KSM) for the Bob Cole Prize for Comedy.
Esi Sutherland-Addy received a nomination for the Ephraim Amu Prize for Promotion of Cultural Consciousness, and Egya Koo Nimo was in the running for the Kwaa Mensah Prize for Folk Music.
James “Uncle” Ebo Whyte was nominated for the Efua Sutherland Prize for Theater Arts, Professor Ablade Glover for the Nii Amon Kotei Prize for Visual Arts, and Akunu Dake was also recognized for promoting cultural consciousness.
The event’s wide array of categories reflected the diversity of Ghana’s cultural output, honoring everything from visual arts to culinary arts.
The Onyimpon Awards take their name from the Akan word “Onyimpa,” meaning “human being,” symbolizing the recognition of those whose work has enriched the local culture.
The awards are intended to celebrate lifetime achievements in the performing and visual arts, literary works, and more, honoring those whose originality and contributions have left a lasting impact on Ghana’s cultural heritage.
The event itself was divided into two key parts: a lecture and the awards ceremony. The lecture was delivered by veteran Ghanaian actor David Dontoh, a revered figure in contemporary artistic expression, both on stage and screen.
His insights further emphasized the importance of nurturing Ghanaian culture and passing it on to future generations.
The Onyimpon Awards for National Cultural Excellence, often referred to as the “Mother of the Arts” in Ghana, serve as a monumental recognition of the arts and culture industry.
It seeks to reward and elevate the best in traditional, highlife, and Afrobeat music, as well as celebrate achievements in literature, filmmaking, weaving, architecture, and other artistic fields.
The dream of the Center for Communication and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, is to make this a central celebration of Ghanaian culture for years to come.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com
