ALL the stars in Africa will descend on Ghana as it plays host to the 5th All Africa Music Awards (2018 AFRIMA) from today, November 21,2018 till Saturday, November 24.

Since AFRIMA was established in 2014, this year is the first time the biggest music event in Africa is being held outside Nigeria.

AFRIMA seeks to reward and celebrate musical works, talents and creativity around the African continent while promoting Africa's cultural heritage.

The four-day event, which will see about 125 artistes attending according to organisers, is packed with various activities which starts today, November 21 with ‘Welcome Soiree’, a reception in honour of arriving AFRIMA nominees and delegates, African Union officials, members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, media and other invited guests.

This will be followed by the ‘Africa Music Business Summit’ (AMBS) on Thursday, November 22, at the Ballroom, Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, Accra.

Later in the day, African music lovers will enjoy performances by artistes across the continent at the ‘AFRIMA Music Village’, "a festival-style music concert" at the Black Star Square in Accra.

There will also be a nominees' party on Friday, November 23, at the Kempinski Hotel and then the main awards will take place on Saturday, November 24, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Renowned Ghanaian-born American actor and comedian, Michael Blackson, South Africa’s talented TV personality,Pearl Thusi and Ghana’s media personality, Anita Erskine will hold the live stage of the main awards ceremony of 2018 AFRIMA.

Speaking at a press conference to address pertinent issues about AFRIMA at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Monday, November 19, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Catherine Afeku urged Ghanaians to help make the country's hosting of AFRIMA successful.

“Let us all be ambassadors of our nation because we are putting Ghana on the map and that is good for us. We should offer the necessary help to foreigners and be extra courteous”, she said.

Country Director, Ghana for AFRIMA, Francis Doku, entreated Ghanaians to vote for our artistes nominated for 2018 AFRIMA.

He said it will not be a good image for Ghana should its acts perform poorly when they are hosts of the biggest music event in Africa.

Some Ghanaian artistes nominated in various categories for 2018 AFRIMA are KiDi, Kuami Eugene, King Promise, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Efya, Ebony, Joe Mettle and Becca.

This year, topping the list of 2018 AFRIMA with seven nomination each are Democratic Republic of Congo-born international recording artiste and rapper, Maître Gims and South Africa’s songstress and songwriter, Shekhinah.

Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Ethiopia’s Betty G follow with six nominations while Simi (Nigeria) and Nasty C (South Africa) grabbed five nominations each.

Showbiz