The 2025 Asere Amartse We Homowo Musical Concert successfully took place last Saturday in Accra as part of this year's Homowo festivities.
Held annually, the concert is aimed at providing a platform to empower the youth, sustain Ga traditions and also project Ga heritage to the wider world.
It showcased diverse talents, including music and dance performances, from young men and women in the Ga community.
The concert, hosted at the Asere Amartse We in Bukom Maamorna, attracted royalty, community leaders, the Clergy and residents, symbolising their cultural richness and collective unity.
Among the dignitaries were the Nae Wulormo, Nuumo Akwaa Mensah III; Kaneshie Mantse, Nii Ayitey Kane I; Head of Family, Nii Ashorng Amarkwei III; Faana Jasetse and others.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF), Justina Nelson, graced the occasion as a special guest.
Also in attendance to show support were the Deputy CEO of MIIF, Dr Kwaku Asiedu-Nketiah Jr.; the Head of Communications of MIIF, Charles Benoni Okine and the Editor, Daily Graphic, Theophilus Yartey.
Rationale
Naa Amorkor Shikafutru I explained that the concert had been organised to ensure that traditions remained vibrant and relevant for younger generations while giving them opportunities to express their talents and creativity.
The Queenmother explained that anchoring the celebration in music ensured that the culture remained accessible and inspiring for today’s youth.
“By focusing on music, we are speaking a language the youth already understand and love, while grounding it in the values, stories and identity that define us,” she said.
She stressed that Homowo went beyond a festival and stood as “a celebration of our heritage, resilience and identity as a people.”
Talent development
Addressing the gathering, the Queenmother of Asere Amartse We, Naa Amorkor Shikafutru I, said she was committed to developing talents among the Ga youth.
She said music empowered the younger generation by offering them voice, confidence and purpose, stressing that those qualities were essential to building both cultural identity and entrepreneurial spirit.
The Asere Amartse We Queenmother encouraged the youth to take pride in their cultural heritage and explore the entrepreneurial opportunities available in the creative industry.
“If we are able to encourage those with skills, they can also develop their own kind of job that would help them survive. That would take care of them and their family,” she told the Daily Graphic.
She explained that the industry provided economic opportunities in performance, production, event organisation, digital distribution and fashion merchandising.
The Queenmother also urged the youth to take advantage of technology and digital platforms to distribute and monetise their music globally.
Initiative, preserving culture
Naa Amorkor Shikafutru I stressed that music had always been central to Ga culture and that it served as one of the easiest ways of achieving peace and unity in the community.
“Music itself is a form of bringing peace to the soul.
If you are taking the steps to bring peace and unity, music brings people together.
There is no way we can take music out of the culture,” she said.
She encouraged the youth to remain authentic in their pursuits.
“All I would say is that they should go all out and do themselves or do you. Because nobody can be you.
You can be yourself. And whatever skills you have, do not hold back.
The people and leaders of Ga are willing to support them,” she concluded.
The Asere Amartse We Manye also pointed to her flagship project as part of her commitment to skills empowerment.
She said the 'Girl Power Project,' launched last year, prioritised girls, while still supporting boys in acquiring practical skills.
She explained that the programme aimed at giving young people opportunities to express themselves and to build confidence.
