Naa Amanua
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Naa Amanua | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mary Naa Amanua Dodoo |
| Born | 1948 or 1949 Accra, Gold Coast (now Ghana) |
| Died | 16 December 2024 (aged 75–76) Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | Ghanaian folk music |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1973–2024 |
| Formerly of | Wulomei, Charlotte Dada, Suku Troupe |
Mary Naa Amanua Dodoo (1948 or 1949 – 16 December 2024), better known as Naa Amanua, was a Ghanaian singer and songwriter of Ga folk music.[1] She was the lead female singer of Wulomei, a Ghanaian music group that was founded in 1973. Amanua was the recipient of the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Honors.[2]
Background
[edit]Amanua was born in 1948 or 1949.[3] She joined the choir at St. Georges Garrison Anglican Church, Burma Camp, and later went to Abokobi Presbyterian Mixed-Middle School, where she became the lead singer in the school during the late 1960s.[4] Amanua died on 16 December 2024.[5]
Career
[edit]During Ignatius Kutu Acheampong’s regime in 1974, they toured the country crossing the Volta on the Yaipe Queen to Yaipe and then to Bolgatanga. Taking their music beyond the shores of Ghana, the group traveled to Togo to perform alongside Charlotte Dada, a female Ghanaian musician. They also performed in the U.S. and the UK.
Amanua later left Wulomei to join the Suku Troupe whose first album, awo de me, was a big hit. The Suku Troupe afforded Amanua the opportunity to give the world a little more than just music. They were a force to reckon with in the theatre and dance arenas, too. In 1978, they toured Benin, Togo and Liberia in West Africa and visited Kenya, where they performed for President Jomo Kenyatta.
After a decade with Suku Troupe, Amanua left to form her own group in 1988 and released Mi yen Maya in 1989.
Amanua remained active later in life. She performed at events and special occasions and stole the show alongside the Burgher Highlife musician, Charles Amoah, at the 18th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.[6]
Honour
[edit]In 2018, the Ga-Adangme Concern Youth Group under the leadership of Nii Ayaafio Tetteh recognized and awarded her the Ga title "Nye Kpakpa" for her contribution to Ga-Adangbe music from the grass roots. Amanua believed that a gift from God is everlasting.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ GH, Entertainment (29 March 2018). "LEGEND! Naa Amanua Of Wulomei Group Is 2018 VGMA Lifetime Achievement Honoree". Entertainment Ghana. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "2018 VGMAs: Naa Amanua Dodoo receives Lifetime Achievement Honours". GhanaWeb. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^ "MUSIGA, GHAMRO not doing much for veteran artistes - Naa Amanua". Ghanaweb. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
The 74-year-old veteran musician (...)
- ^ a b "LEGEND! Naa Amanua Of Wulomei Group Is 2018 VGMA Lifetime Achievement Honoree". Entertainment Ghana. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ Inusah, Mustapha Nii Okai (17 December 2024). "Legendary Ga Music Icon Naa Amanua passes away". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Lamptey, Edwin (16 April 2018). "VGMAs 2018 updates: List of award winners so far". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
External links
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