Ghana’s music maestro, Kojo Antwi, is to turn his famous, annual
December 24 show into a Pan African Musical Festival to give it "a more
progressive dimension".

Speaking to Times Weekend, Antwi said the metamorphosis, conceptualised in 2003, is being supported by other great African artistes such as Freddie Meiway and Rex Omar. It seeks to help enhance the image of artistes and foster oneness among them.

The maestro told TW at his studio in Accra that when it takes off, the event will be an annual affair to bring to the fore and showcase African artistes.

Last year, for the first time, he didn’t do his December 24 concert, held at the National Theatre, and this was a disappointment to both his fans and music lovers in the country.

Explaining why the concert did not take place last year, he said, that it was his management policy that since he had performed more shows before the December 24, it was fitting and proper for others to have their chance to perform on that strategic date.

He indicated that the event would definitely be used to explore further fields to target world music market. He said "this is a platform intended for use to fuel the enthusiasm of budding artistes to help them achieve their goal".

In a separate interview with Freddie Meiway, he said that the concept of the event was the beginning of good things, which he described as a revolution in African music industry.

He called on all African artistes on the continent to embrace the event.

The music maestro also said later this year, he will release a video on all the December 24 concerts in his musical odyssey of over 14 years to showcase all African artistes and stars who have performed with him.

They include Aisha Kone, Steel Pulse, Alice Sofa, Sonti Mbele, Reggie Rock-stone, Buk Bak, Steve Coleman, Monique Seka, Kwadei, Papa Yankson, Pat Thomas and Rex Omar.