AFRIMA meets ECCAS, UNESCO in Gabon, to stimulate Africa’s creative economy
…Using music as its tool
By Joy Abalaka://
As the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA began its countdown to the 2022 main awards ceremony, Monday, with the call for submission of entries from artistes; the continental awards platform has restated its commitment to uplifting the African creative economy, using music as its tool.
It made this known during a recent strategic stakeholder meeting, in Libreville, Gabon, with the President of Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS Commission, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gabon, delegates and senior officials from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, as well as delegates from Centre International des Civilisations Bantu, CICIBA, who are excited about the AFRIMA initiative.
AFRIMA, which is in partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, corroborated UNESCO’s standpoint, on the need to deepen Africa’s creative exports, especially through providing access to training and resources for young aspiring creatives.
According to UNESCO’s representative to Gabon and ECCAS, Mr. Eric Voli Bi, Africa’s creative economy needs more support and opportunities for the youth – who make up the larger chunk of the workforce – to thrive.
He said, “I must thank AFRIMA for constantly projecting the continent in a positive light to the world, and for giving African youths opportunities to be recognised on a continental and even global scale. UNESCO is always interested in youth education and development initiatives, and AFRIMA is one veritable platform to help stimulate potentials among these youths. I believe, with one voice, we can speak louder. That is the way to go.”
The President of ECCAS Commission, His Excellency, Gilberto Da Piedade Vérissimo, accompanied by Her Excellency Ms. Kapinga-Yvette Ngandu, Commissioner in charge of the Department of Gender Promotion and Human and Social Developments, ECCAS, welcomed the AFRIMA delegates to its regional secretariat and pledged support towards AFRIMA. He assured that ECCAS will partner AFRIMA to provide capacity building for African youths across the central African region as well as develop its music industry.
Vérissimo said, “Every year, we see our African artistes shine on global levels. It will be retrogressive for us, if we do not invest in them as well. ECCAS, in partnership with the European Union, will continue to invest resources into capacity building for African youths, especially within the entertainment sector.
“Apart from healthcare and education, the cultural and creative sector of the Central African region is within our primary focus. We are excited that platforms like AFRIMA thrive to give voice to our objectives, and we will pull our weight behind it, for the growth of the continent.”
