The management of Charter House has confirmed their decision to cancel the earlier date of 13 April 2013 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) to a later date of 18 th May 2013.
According to management, this has come about due to challenges beyond management’s control, with the refurbishment of the Dome of the Accra International Conference centre ongoing.
The confirmation of this major change was chanced about in a radio interview with Peace FM on ‘ Entertainment Review’ by this reporter in Accra.
‘The month of April is a raining season, and management has combed all venues in Accra but can’t fit in the challenge of rains and the capacity of audience expected to troop in on the set date of event.
‘Management has no choice but to wait for the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the Dome’, Management stressed.
Critics of the creative industry find it difficult to understand the decision behind the changing of date, whiles there are equally better venues to host the event.
However, one believes that events of such magnitude have over grown the capacity of most of the event venues in the country.
Some of the event venues in Ghana are the National Theater, Accra International Conference Centre, The Dome, Accra Sport stadium and the banquet hall. Yes we need bigger event venues that can contain all kinds of events.
Government needs to assist in bringing this dream to reality, which has to incorporate concerns of all stakeholders in the arts and creative industry nationally.
In managing a project of such a magnitude like the VGMA, the traditional time line and budgetary allocation made available to implement the project can’t be extended over 30 working days and expect to have the premium and leverage placed on the event.
I believe in establishing the value the event has on the development of the rich culture of Ghanaians, and can’t be short-changed in postponing the set date for the event.
From where some critics like me stand, is charter House holding a monopoly to be the only event hub organising the Ghana Music Awards? Is MUSIGA considering partnering with other major sponsors to curb this negative trend?
One would like to find out if the budget made available (Vodafone Ghana) to the event organizer, also provided for contingency plans when things go haywire?
It is very intriguing to find out that the space and facility found at Dome can’t be replicated for big events like the VGMA.