Veteran Ghanaian highlife artist Kwabena Kwabena has declared that he pioneered Valentine’s Day concerts in Ghana, addressing recent controversies surrounding competing events on the holiday.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with DJ Slim, the “Adult Music” hitmaker stated, “On the 14th of February 2014, that was the first time I did a Valentine concert. I called it F14. So I started Valentine shows.” He emphasized that no artist should claim ownership of the day, adding, “It shouldn’t be a problem that anybody wants to do an event on the 14th because there are a lot of people out there who want to go out and have fun.”
Kwabena Kwabena’s remarks come after fellow artist Akwaboah attributed the cancellation of his 2024 Valentine’s Day Shades of Love concert to a scheduling clash with Kwabena Kwabena’s event. Akwaboah expressed his disappointment, saying, “For the past six years, Valentine’s Day has become synonymous with Akwaboah’s Shades of Love concert. This is why it pains me to say we will not be able to have our concert this year.”
Speaking on Accra FM, Akwaboah questioned the timing of Kwabena Kwabena’s event, which was initially planned for February 10 but later shifted to February 14. “If his conscience serves him right for what he is doing, it’s up to him. His decision baffles me a lot,” he said.
In response, Kwabena Kwabena clarified that he initiated Valentine’s Day concerts long before other Ghanaian musicians and expressed the importance of recognizing contributions made by artists. “In as much as any artiste will make a claim to that particular day, that’s very unfortunate because I started it,” he said.
This year, Kwabena Kwabena is set to host his Valentine’s Day concert at the Grand Arena on February 14, 2025. Tickets are available at GHS 300 for regular, GHS 500 for couples, with VVIP tables also available. Reservations can be made by calling 0551103393 or 0505163674, and tickets can be purchased by dialing 7141010#.
The event promises an unforgettable evening of music and celebration, as Kwabena Kwabena continues to make his mark on the Ghanaian entertainment scene.