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Africa Gospel Awards Festival Will Boost Tourism In Ghana – Prince Mac Kay

Africa Gospel Awards Festival Will Boost Tourism In Ghana - Prince Mac Kay

The Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Gospel Awards Festival (AGAFEST)  is optimistic about the benefits the maiden edition of AGAFEST, saying the music festival will boost the tourism industry in Ghana.

Mr Mac Kay revealed this in a phone interview with Kwesi Aboagye on entertainment review on Peace FM is Saturday.

As monitored by ghlinks.com.gh, the CEO stated that already all nominees for the maiden edition have confirmed they will be in the country  for the prestigious event, and that will be a plus for the tourism industry since these top gospel stars will sell Ghana in a positive way to the rest of the world. “Almost everybody that has been nominated are willing to visit Ghana, eat Ghana and feel Ghana and that’s one of the promotions the ministry of tourism is doing right now.  When they come in, all these top gospel musicians will promote Ghana”.

Talking about the concept  of AGAFEST, Mr Mac Kay said AGAFEST is the maiden edition of an award scheme that seeks to honour gospel artists across Africa for the tremendous works they do for gospel music and is slated to come on sometime in March this year. He went further to say that the unique thing about the award scheme is that it will also equally recognize other gospel industry stakeholders who have helped shaped gospel music on the continent of Africa. “it’s not just for music.  We have ministry categories and people who are doing amazing works for the general gospel fraternity in Africa”. He emphasized that the jury will also comprise of equally competent gospel music stakeholders who will make sure the awards go out to deserving winners.

In a response to how many countries that will be participating in the maiden edition of the awards scheme,  he stated that for a start four countries will be participating and that in years to come, the numbers will increase. “4 African countries namely Ghana as the host,  Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya will be participating for the maiden edition.” Asked whether the number was too small for such an event which targets the whole of Africa,  Prince Mac Kay said every big idea starts small but grows with time. He added that subsequent editions will see more African countries participating as some have contacted him showing interest in participating. “With everything you start, even though Africa is big you make sure you don’t bite more than you can chew.  With time we will add other African countries to the list. We’ve had about 6 more countries showing interest of joining since it was launched so will add to the list as we move on”

Prince Mac Kay reinstated that the Ghana government must invest into AGAFEST since it did same for AFRIMA which isn’t Ghanaian. He said the move will encourage the organizers who are Ghanaians to do more for the industry.  “AFRIMA came and the government supported with $1.5 million for three years and didn’t have even a single slot for gospel music. That isn’t good. AGAFEST is owned by a Ghanaian. If the government supports AFRIMA which is owned by a Nigerian, they should be able to support AGAFEST which is owned by a Ghanaian. Our budget is $1 million”.

By : K.Oteng/ Gh Links

Written by K Oteng

K.Oteng is a reporter and editor for https://www.ghlinks.com.gh/ based in Accra-Ghana

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