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Tamale, Ghana – Dagara Culture Connect, the US-based non-profit organisation leading the maiden Dagara Music Awards 2023 (DMA), has announced Alex Woma, a native of Hinneteng under Fielmua in the Nandom Municipality as the winner.
Mr. Woma, 32, got more of the public votes to beat five other contenders for the prestigious title. They are Anthony Ganee, Gervase Aabaa, Tacianus Tengab, Justine Kuunnyemesou and Gaspard Jonas.
The DMA Xylophonist of The Year Award contest was open to all Dagara xylophonist from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.
Hellen Bekuone Dery, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Dagara Culture Connect (DCC) made the announcement on Wednesday via a live Facebook broadcast from her base in New York.
Mr. Woma, a former student of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School at Wa in the Upper West Regional capital is a lead xylophone instructor at the Dagara Music and Arts Centre in Medie in the Eastern Region.
Besides being a xylophone instructor at the DMC, he also sings and dances.
He has taught several dozens of people from different cultures including Ghanaians and American college students and lecturers as well as tourists who visit Ghana periodically especially during vacations.
“I feel very blessed and overwhelmed with joy for this prestigious honour. I never imagined winning it looking at the caliber of people who were equally nominated. I’m very grateful to all those who voted for me to win. Myself and the Dagara Music and Arts Centre where I work are grateful to everyone especially the Dagara Culture Connect for this honour.”
The next categories of nominees to be outdoored soon for public voting are: Afrobeat Artiste of The Year, Dagara Hilife Artiste of The Year, Dagara Gospel Artiste of The Year and Dagara New Artiste (Discovery) of The Year.
Ms. Dery also known as the Queen of Dagara Entertainment, urged all followers of the DCC Facebook platform to also give the same support they gave to the nominees of the DMA Best Xylophonist of The Year.
She further reiterated her appeal to all Dagara people especially chiefs, musicians, businesses and well-to-do individuals to support the Dagara Music Awards to be a success.
The aim of the maiden DMA Awards is to promote Dagara culture through music and also encourage talented Dagara musicians by giving them awards for their hard work.
DCC and its partners will at a later date present plaques and cash prizes to all winners of the various categories.
The DCC since its inception about three years ago, has contributed so much towards the socio-economic and cultural development of the Dagara tribe especially those in Ghana. The organisation embarked on the provision of potable water to rural communities, supply of furniture to less endowed schools, payment of medical bills for the underprivileged, cash and food donations to widows among others.
By SavannahNewsOnline.Com/Kusiele Ziem
