Naa Amanua
 |
Naa Amanua | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mary Naa Amanua Dodoo |
| Born | Accra Ghana |
| Genres | Ghanaian Folklore music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years active | 1973 - present |
| Formerly of | Wulomei, Charlotte Dada, Suku Troupe |
Mary Naa Amanua Dodoo, also known as Naa Amanua, is a Ghanaian Ga folklore music singer and songwriter.[1] She was the lead female singer for Wulomei, a Ghanaian music group that was founded in 1973. Naa was the recipient of the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Honors.[2]
Early life
[edit]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.[3]
Performance
[edit]During General 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 sores of Ghana, the group traveled to Togo to perform alongside Charlotte Dada, a female Ghanaian musician. They also performed in the United States and the UK.
Naa Amanua later left Wulomei to join the Suku Troupe whose first album, awo de me, was a big hit. The Suku Troupe afforded Naa 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, Naa Amanua left to form her own group in 1988 and released Mi yen Maya in 1989.
Naa remains active. She performs 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.[4]
In 2018, the Ga-Adangme Concern Youth Group under the leadership of Nii Ayaafio Tetteh recognized and awarded her with the Ga title "Nye Kpakpa" for her contribution to Ga-Adangme music from the grass roots. Naa believes that a gift from God is everlasting.[3]
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.
- ^ a b "LEGEND! Naa Amanua Of Wulomei Group Is 2018 VGMA Lifetime Achievement Honoree". Entertainment Ghana. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ Lamptey, Edwin (2018-04-16). "VGMAs 2018 updates: List of award winners so far". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
External
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