Naa Amanua
Naa Amanua | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mary Naa Amanua Dodoo 1948 or 1949 Accra, Gold Coast (now Ghana) |
| Died | 17 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.[2] Amanua was the recipient of the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Honors.[3]
Background
Amanua was born in 1948 or 1949.[4] Her parents were musicians. Her father was a guitarist and her mother was a dancer and singer.[5] 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.[6] Amanua died on 17 December 2024.[7]
Career
Before becoming the first female singer to join the Wulomei Band, she worked as a City Guard for the Accra City Council, now the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. [8]
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. In 1978, they toured Benin, Togo and Liberia in West Africa and visited Kenya, where they performed for President Jomo Kenyatta.[8]
After a decade with Suku Troupe, Amanua left to form her own group in 1988 and released Mi yen Maya in 1989. 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.[9]
Honour
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.[6]
In 2018, she received the Lifetime Achievement award at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.[10]
References
- ^ GH, Entertainment (29 March 2018). "LEGEND! Naa Amanua Of Wulomei Group Is 2018 VGMA Lifetime Achievement Honoree". Entertainment Ghana. Archived from the original on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Lipstick Queens honour Naa Amanua at Homowo concert - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "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 (...)
- ^ "Oheneyere Gifty Anti surprises former lead singer for Wulomei Band on Prime Morning Show - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b "LEGEND! Naa Amanua Of Wulomei Group Is 2018 VGMA Lifetime Achievement Honoree". Entertainment Ghana. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Legendary Naa Amanua to be laid to rest today". 28 March 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b "I was the first female singer to join renowned Wulomei Band - Naa Amanua - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "LOGHA honours Naa Amanua". Graphic Online. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "MUSIGA and GHAMRO treating old musicians like we don't matter —Naa Amanua". Graphic Online. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
External links
- Amanua's performance at Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2017
- Naa Amanua at IMDb
- Naa Amanua discography at Discogs