Twenty-five Ghanaian women creative arts professionals have been honoured at a ceremony in Accra last week.

The 25 women include both the living and  the dead who have contributed immensely towards the development of the industry over the years.

The event dubbed, “A Night With Female Legends” was organised by Values For Life (VFL), a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation which promotes African cultural renaissance and restoration, particularly among the youth.

The following were those who were honoured at the ceremony:  Asabea Cropper- Musician, Naa Amanua - Musician, Ewurama Bedu – Musician, Afua Darkenoo – Musician, Naa Adjeley – Musician, Araba Stamp – Actress, Grace Nortey- Actress, Mercy Offei – Actress, Monica Quarcoopome – Actress, Comfort Addo – Actress, Dzifa Glikpoe – Actress, Grace Omaboe - Actress, Director, Producer, Musician, and Doris Adabasu Kuwornu – Director.

Others are Veronica Cudjoe – TV Director, Grace Djabaki Laing – Dancer, Ama Ata Aidoo – Author, Theodosia Okoh – Artist, Wilhermina Mensah – Musician,  Efua Sutherland – Director, Prof. Esi Sutherland- Addy - Cultural Activist, Jessie Ankrah – Actress, Comfort Owusu – Actress, Edinam Atatsi – Actress, Akosua Abdallah – Actress and Agnes Panfred – Actress.

In her speech, the special guest of honour and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts , Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, paid glowing tribute to the work done by these women to push forward the creative arts industry in Ghana.

“We have all converged here today to witness and honour some of our female legends,” she noted.

 “Their hard work has paved a way for some of us to be courageous enough to venture into the creative industry and take professions.”

She also emphasised that, “for some of them, their hard work has gone unnoticed and unappreciated, but their toil had made some of us what we are today and  we appreciate the pace they set as bold female creative practitioners. Your lives are worth emulating as we reap the harvest of your toil today,”  Madam Gomashie added.

The Deputy Minister who is also the Life Patron of the organisation that put the event together said they “believe that the face of every nation is mirrored through its arts and culture. Values for Life creates an environment for young people to unearth their creative arts talents. VFL is interested in skills development, for economic and social empowerment of the youth.”

“This event is the beginning of what we at Values For Life plan to do on a yearly basis – celebrating the trailblazers. All the domains will be a part of this awards ceremony year after year. As the maiden event, we are unable to honour every deserving hero tonight but we hope to do this yearly to ensure that the role models we have in the sector are honoured,”the Deputy Minister said.

Performing on the night were Naa Amanua, Becca, Elivava, Dela Hayes and the All Girls Band, Asabea Cropper, Ewurama Badu, Afua Dorkenoo among others with Bessa Simons’ band as the carpet band for the occasion. Multi TV’s Gladys Osei-Owiredu and GhOne’s Naa Ashorkor were the MCs for the night.

http://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/ghanaian-women-in-creative-arts-honoured.html