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Ghana’s Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia has endorsed the establishment of the newest choir in Ghana, the Bantama Youth Choir, founded by the Minister of Works and Housing, and the Member of Parliament for the Bantama Constituency, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye.

The Second Lady, while leading an Inaugural Ceremony and a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, of the MP’s Choir, commended the legislator for bringing together strong and talented Ghanaian youth to sing for God and mother Ghana.
Hajia Samira Bawumia said she shares in Mr. Asenso-Boakye’s aim of making his Choir an international one that can take the name of Ghana to places where other disciplines might not have taken it- she promised her support to this cause.

Speaking at the Inauguration and Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, held at the A. T Nartey Assembly of the Pentecost Church, Bantama on Saturday, 11th December, 2021, the excited Founder and President of Bantama Youth Choir, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye explained that “As a member of the Methodist Church, I have always loved to watch the choirs singing, especially when the choristers are processing at chapel.

As I kept enjoying this from infancy, I tried being part of the choir, but one day, the Choir Master told me not to come for rehearsal again since my voice was not good for singing. I knew I didn’t have a good voice, so I succumbed to his instruction.

However, my being out of the choir didn’t kill my interest in Choral Music- I have always supported Choristers wherever I have been.

So my establishing the Banatama Youth Choir stems from my love for choral music and my resolve to engage the youth of the Bantama Constituency in worthwhile pursuits”.
 
The Minister and MP while speaking at the inauguration and Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols indicated that he believes that the good training he had at the Sunday School and Boys Brigade in the Methodist Church while a child and youth, helped to shape his life better for the challenges and responsibilities in his career and entire life today, hence, the founding of the Bantama Youth Choir to turn the singing talents of the youth into skills and to train them to be resourceful in order to be able to contribute to national development, as well as upholding strong Christian values amongst the youth.
 
Mr. Asenso-Boakye indicated that he wants to build his choir to become a vibrant internationally recognized singing group that will be performing on global stages like the Sowetho Choir and Winneba Youth Choir do.
 
Ghana’s Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural ceremony of the Bantama Youth Choir and the carols night programme. Other dignitaries at the programme were Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, CEO of Kessben Group, Mr. Kwabena Kesse, Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, CEO of Jeshop Construction, Mr. James Osei Brown, Kumasi Metro Director of Urban Ing. Nana Poku Agyeman, Chief of Nzema and Businessman, Nana Nkansah Boadu, Philanthropist and CEO of Beauty Queen Hotels, Nana Adwoa Dokuaa, Ghana’s Former Ambassador to China, Amb. Edward Edward Boateng, CEO of Prefos Ltd, Mr. Alex Kwasi Fosu, Secretary General –Ghana Commission for UNESSCO, Ama S. Nerquaye –Tetteh, Head of Legal CIB-Stanbic Bank Ghana Ltd., Board Chairman of Exim Bank and Businessman, Mr Boateng Gyamfi and a host of others.

The Bantama Youth Choir and a guest group, Celestial Evangel Choir put up incredible performances that thrilled and excited audience at the programme.

A stunning performance by Soloist, Dentaa Amoateng, a Ghanaian British Award winning singer, actress, producer and entrepreneur made one felt they were listening to an opera singer in the New York City’s Beacon Theatre.