Queen Mother Urge Musicians to Promote Ghanaian Culture

Naa Korlay Adu I, Queen Mother of the Korleywa Accra/Teshie traditional area has voiced her opinion about the kind of music being churned onto Ghana�s music scene.

Speaking exclusively to BEATWAVES, the Queen Mother, who is quite appreciative of the current state of the industry, expressed the need for stakeholders to make the country�s culture an integral part of their music.

According to her, that has always been the trend of most music from various parts of the world. This, she indicated, is reason why one can easily identify some music with America, Jamaica or even Nigeria without knowing much about the artiste.

�We as Ghanaians have a very rich culture. Our drums for instance say a lot when it comes to interpretation. Our drums, beats and flutes as well other traditional equipments enrich our music. That is what makes us different and being different is what people like these days. If we follow the same trend of other countries, people may not take us seriously�, she said.

She encouraged Ghanaian musicians who are trying to enter the international music scene to remember their culture. �This can go far to show to the whole world what our true traditions are�, she added. Naa Korlay Adu I has been Queen mother of Korlaywa since 1999. She lives in the UK, where she runs her own small business.

She comes back home two or three times a year, especially during the Homowo festive season. She visits some children�s homes in Accra anytime she comes back home to donate to the underprivileged. Besides being a cultural and traditional custodian, she is a patron of the Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).

�I also like music and I have been going to MUSIGA every time I come home. This time, when I came they offered to make me their patron. So I said ok since it is part of our culture and tradition, I wouldn�t mind giving them my support�.

She also disclosed that she wanted to use the music platform to encourage the youth to get interested in the country�s culture and traditions adding, �If we don�t encourage them to do that, our traditions may disappear in no time. The youth will grow up without knowing what their culture is�.

Underscoring the need to create more culture-oriented programmes in school syllabi, the Queen mother applauded the formation of cultural groups. �It is very good as it enlightens the children about what our culture is really about�, she concluded.

Source: Daily Guide