Awurama Badu is a name that is celebrated in the history of highlife music in Ghana. Noted for her talent, hard work, and determination, Awurama Badu is one of the few women who, in the late 90’s, made history with their place in the male-dominated music industry.
Music Career
Awurama Badu was a Ghanaian highlife musician, born in 1945 in Banko in the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region. In her teens, she played an integral part in the then Ghana Police Band before she established herself in the music industry. She was a singer, guitarist, and composer.
Awurama Badu’s songs are loved by many for their educative and inspirational effects. Among many of her hit songs are Komkom, Medofo Adaadaa Me, Odo Tie Me, and Obaatan Refre Ne Mma.
Achievements And Honours
Awurama Badu was featured in the 2013 Music of Ghanaian Origin (MOGO) Concert organised by Citi 97.3 FM.
In December 2015, Awurama Badu was honoured in a special citation by Action Senior High & Technical School as part of their 15 years of academic excellence.
Awurama’s hard work and commitment to the music industry were further recognized by Values for Life (VFL-Ghana), a non-governmental organization founded by the former deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dzifa Gomashie in 2016. At the event dubbed: 'A Night With Female Legends’, Awurama was awarded for her contribution to the creative arts industry in Ghana.
Downside
Awurama Badu made her last public appearance when she attended the 2nd Annual General Meeting of Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) in 2017.
She died at age 72 in October 2017 after a while of illness. Awurama had four children—two sons and two daughters.
Apart from her career in music, Awurama was a role model. Her songs projected such virtues as patience (“komkom”), love (“odo tie me”), and caring (“obaatan refre ne mma”) among others.
As a female legend in the Creative Arts Industry, Awurama Badu’s career is recognized for paving a way for most young women in the music industry.
REFERENCE
Information from https://www.pulse.com.gh/ece-frontpage/rip-veteran-highlife-musician-awurama-badu-has-died/m7kwd69, https://yen.com.gh/100958-top-5-awurama-badu-songs-a-legendary-highlife-musician.html
https://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/veteran-musician-awurama-badu-passes-on.html was used in this story