The Arts Critics and Reviewers Association of Ghana (ACRAG) on Ghana’s Republic Day, July 1, held its 20th edition of the AGRAG Awards after a long hiatus. The awards are meant to acknowledge excellence in Ghanaian creativity in the arts and culture. The association conferred its highest honour, the Flagstar, on internationally-acclaimed writer, university teacher and consultant on education and gender issues, Ama Ata Aidoo.

Apart from the Flagstar Honour, ACRAG also awarded various other personalities in the non-competitive (no public voting) categories. These included Cultural Ambassador designations for George Dzikunu for Dance, Kofi Ansah for Fashion Design, Kwesi Owusu for Poetry and Cultural Advocacy and Nii Ayikwei Parkes for Poetry and Literary Advocacy. Others were Paa Coshipi Quaye for Drama, Mustapha Tetteh Addy for Traditional Music, Kwaku Sintim Misa for Comedy and Ofeibea Quist-Arcton for Broadcasting.

Special Awards winners were Winneba Youth Choir for Best Choral Music, Slim Busterr for Best Entertainer, Afia Konadu for Contribution to Radio on Social Issues, Mawuli Semevor for Best Stage Actor, Obour for Best Creative Song on Road Safety, Agartha Ofori for Acting Discovery, Becca for Music Discovery and Kwaku Sakyi Addo for Contribution to Television on Political and Social Issues.

The competitive category winners included Christina Love (Best Gospel Album), Kofi B (Best Highlife Music), Obour and AB Crentsil (Best Music Collaboration), Bola Ray (Best Compere), Jackie Appiah (Best Screen Actress), Kofi Mensah ‘Agya Koo’ Adu (Best Screen Actor), Paa T (Best In Contemporary Dance), Akumaa Mama Zimbi (Best Female Radio Personality) and Kwami Sefa Kayi of Peace FM (Best Male Radio Personality).

In a TV interview with Kwaw Kesse, winner of Best Hiplife Artiste, he described the award trophy (a wooden traditional stool) as disrespect to the Ghanaian entertainment industry. He referred to it as a kitchen stool and said he would never take it home. “How can you give this to a distinguished writer like Ama Atta Aidoo, whose books I read when I was in school?” he inferred. “It doesn’t show respect for the entertainment industry”, he added.

Kwaw Kesse also talked about his recent walk on the runway and his visit to American Idol. He was happy that President Kufuor recognised hiplife as a formidable art form by decorating hiplife artist, Obuor with a Grand Medal at the much needed National Awards. However he said it was a pity that Reggie Rockstone, the creator of hiplife in Ghana wasn’t honored instead.

Well, I guess Reggie will have to wait for his turn. As for Kwaw Kesse, I think he should quit nagging; if he is really a ‘madman’ as he claims to be, then he should carry his ACRAG Award on his head and walk around town. That would be the perfect picture of a madman. LOL!