Among W.A. musicians, Bongofari calls for closer ties
Afro-Reggae musician Bongofari, from Ghana, has advocated for efficient networking among musicians in West Africa to support the sub-region's music industry.
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
Addressing a segment of the press upon his arrival back from Lome, Togo, where he participated in the inaugural Afro Music Reggae Arts Heritage & Cultural Festival (IARMA-FEST) set for March 2024, Bongofari asserted that networking is a crucial means of establishing new contacts and seizing business and performance opportunities within the music industry.
On December 1, 2023, the launch took place at Lome's Only One Beach. Artists from Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria were present.
We discussed how to advance in our careers and how to do it. Like any other business, the music industry depends on both your network and your knowledge. Any kind of relationship is beneficial, according to Bongofari.
He refers to his sound as Odo Reggae, which combines reggae vibes with traditional Ghanaian rhythms and Highlife. He sang at the IARMA-FEST 2024 launch, performing songs from his repertoire in English, Twi, and French. The event organizers presented him with a plaque in recognition of his groundbreaking reggae style.
Elijah Amekudzi founded IARMA-FEST 2024, which is intended to bring together reggae performers from Togo, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cote d'Ivoire. The event is organized in partnership with Pan Africa-Ghana and Peace Forever Live Music Club.
IARMA-FEST 2024 is scheduled to feature sessions on music business, creativity, and networking through international music agencies. A particular emphasis will be on the ways in which artists, in this digital age, can profit from their merchandise.
Thus, an ECOWAS music summit of sorts is scheduled for March of the next year. The creation of music has always involved teamwork. The Odo Reggae man stated, "Depending on how many people you know, more opportunities may come your way." "Meeting people who can help you make great music or generally advance your career is always a good thing."
Before opting to pursue performance as a career full-time, Bongofari worked as a music recording engineer. On September 17, 2023, at LaBoma Beach in Accra, he was recognized for his "outstanding contributions to Reggae and Dancehall and to the music industry in Ghana today" at the Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards (GRDA).
