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By Jayne Buckman Owoo
Adabraka, ACCRA – June 22, 2023: Veteran Highlife musician Agya Koo Nimo has been honoured with the first ever Baobab Lifetime Achievement Award by the African University College of Communications (AUCC) at a ceremony yesterday, June 21.
The award, sponsored by Stanbic Bank and Dalex Finance, comprised a trophy, a citation and a 10,000Ghc cash prize. It was received on his behalf by his son, Emmanuel Nana Kwarteng and Dr Adrian Nii Oddoye of +233 Jazz Bar and Grill as Agya Koo Nimo could not attend the ceremony due to ill health.
Agya Koo Nimo, however, did a video recording expressing his gratitude to the organisers for the award. He apologised for his inability to be present and asked all to bear with him.
There were solidarity messages from the Pan African Heritage Museum, National Commission on Culture and UNESCO.
Addressing guests at the ceremony, President of AUCC, Professor Abeiku Blankson said the award has been on their minds for some time now, “This award is something we thought about at AUCC because we realised a disconnection between education and our culture.
“I want to thank management for making this dream a reality. As the only university in Africa that bears the name African, we have to walk the talk, so here we are today, living that dream. I want to thank the AUCC management for embracing this idea.
“We are happy that we have someone who really lived the African dream with his music. We also want to bring the attention of the young ones to the contribution of our elderly,” he stated.
There were spectacular performances by the Legon Palmwine Band, Osei Kwame Korankye, Kwame Brenya and Nana Asaase.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Emmanuel Nana Kwarteng said the award means so much to his Dad:
“It means a lot to him, on behalf of the family and the band, we thank AUCC for this award. Hon. Kojo Yankah is very instrumental to Papa so to be awarded by his university means so much to him and brings him a lot of joy and humility. I am excited to receive this on his behalf,” he said.
Over the last 70 years, Koo Nimo’s lilting music, his enormous repertoire and the mastery of his style and instrument have inspired many to venture into new directions while at the same time staying true to the spirit of West African traditional and popular music.
In recognition of these and more, Koo Nimo has received numerous awards and citations including the prestigious Asanteman award from the Asantehene, and the Flagstar Award from ECRAG (Entertainment Critics and Reviewers Association of Ghana). Culture advocates at AUCC chose Agya Koo Nimo to mark his contribution, excellence and consistency in the development of folk music in Ghana.
The Baobab Award will help preserve the history, impact and memory of Ghanaian cultural arts and the outstanding icons who have dedicated their lives to propel them. The Mission of this award is to recognize and preserve the performance and history of the arts and culture of Ghana, their potential, economic impact and more.
