Welcome to the 50th story of the State of Dabar!!!!
A story with such a milestone has ought to be great and memorable. And trust us, this one most definitely will be. Let’s kick off!!
The grand Accra City Hall was packed to capacity that lovely Saturday evening, as family, friends and enthusiasts of the arts all gathered for a most special occasion. The spacious hall had appropriately been adorned with elegant decorations, adding to the air of anticipation and excitement palpable in the atmosphere.
A few performances had taken place, to the delight of all, and as the Master of Ceremonies took to the stage after the end of the most recent performance, a magnificently executed folk dance, everyone with a copy of the programme in hand knew it was almost time for the main purpose of the event to take place.
“Let’s put our hands together once again for those young men and women! Such a brilliant performance!”
A second round of applause erupted in appreciation for the splendid display they had just witnessed.
“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and lovers of the arts, the time is upon us,” the MC announced, his voice resonating through the spacious hall. “The time has come… to give honour to whom honour is due.”
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, their enthusiasm setting the stage for the highlight of the evening.
“And to carry out this honour is none other than a figure of great importance, a leader dedicated to the betterment of our beloved Accra, a great man that you and I respect very much. Please join me in welcoming to the stage, the esteemed Mayor of Accra, Mr. Ebenezer Ankomah!”
The audience roared with excitement as the Mayor, a figure of authority and grace, stood up from his seat and made his way to the stage.
Amidst the applause, the Mayor acknowledged the crowd with a humble nod and a warm smile. Once the applause finally subsided, he took hold of the microphone, ready to begin his speech.
“Thank you, thank you, everyone,” the Mayor began. “It’s a privilege to come before you and carry out this task. Considering the personality involved, I don’t take it lightly at all. This is not a small task at all; it’s a big, momentous task, and I’m grateful to be deemed worthy enough to do this in the stead of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana.
“Tonight, we are gathered here not only to celebrate the vibrancy of our creative arts community, but mainly to honour an individual whose dedication has left an indelible mark on our city’s cultural landscape.”
He paused for a moment, building anticipation, before continuing with a sense of reverence, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I stand before you to present the Ghana Creative Arts Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts. This honor goes to a remarkable individual whose passion for the arts has inspired us all.”
The Mayor then shifted his focus to the guest of honor, who sat in the front seat.
Miss Selorm Logan, looking resplendent in her glorious purple evening dress and luxurious jewelry, smiled widely, her eyes reflecting gratitude as the attention turned to her.
“Miss Selorm Logan,” the Mayor continued, “is not just a name; it is a force that has shaped the artistic spirit of our city. Tonight, we recognize her exceptional efforts as the founder of the Youth of Magnificent Melodies, a unique youth choir that has graced our stages with unparalleled talent and passion. From Christian programs to award shows, this choir has appeared on many platforms, and to say that their performances have been ‘good’ would be an insult to the very fabric of music. They have been absolutely fantastic, wherever they find themselves, and I believe everyone here can testify to that.”
The audience erupted into applause, acknowledging the significance of the Youth of Magnificent Melodies in the cultural tapestry of Accra.
“Selorm Logan’s commitment to nurturing young talent has not only enriched our cultural heritage but has also provided a platform for the youth to express themselves through the magnificent language of music,” the Mayor continued. “With the popular YOMM, as they are often called, now boasting of a membership of over 90 young men and women, it cannot be disputed what massive impact Miss Logan has had, on the youth and the creative arts scene.”
“As we bestow upon her this prestigious award, let us reflect on the countless melodies that have touched our hearts and souls, all orchestrated under the guiding hand of Miss Selorm Logan. She is a beacon of inspiration, and tonight, as we rise to our feet, and give a standing ovation, we are more than proud to honour her for her outstanding contribution to the arts. Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome to the stage, our award winner, the one and only, Miss Selorm Logan!”
The crowd rose to their feet, showering Selorm with a thunderous ovation as she gracefully made her way up the stage.
The Mayor, with a warm smile, presented her with the Ghana Creative Arts Award plaque: not just an accolade but a precious symbol of recognition of a life dedicated to the artistic enrichment of the community. The hall echoed with applause and cheers, as everyone present celebrated the illustrious efforts of Selorm that had brought her this far.
As she acknowledged the honor bestowed upon her, raising her free hand in gratitude and humility, the applause swelled. She approached the microphone, ready to give her speech of gratitude. The applause accordingly lessened, everyone ready to hear from her.
“Thank you,” she began, her words echoing with sincerity. “Thank you so much for this recognition. Honestly, words cannot express how grateful I am for this. There’s so much to be said, but… lemme start with the thanksgiving. First and foremost, I want to thank the Almighty God for giving us the gift of music, and for giving us the ability to inspire and be inspired through the beautiful art of melody. I couldn’t have done this without Him, and so all glory goes to Him.”
She continued, “To my beloved choir children, the Youth of Magnificent Melodies, you are the heart and soul of this journey. Your dedication, passion, and talent have been the driving force behind every note we’ve sung together, and I thank each and every one of you for that. This is not just my award, it is yours as well.”
A brief chorus of acknowledgment rang out across the hall.
“I stand here not as a singular force, but as part of a collective dream,” Selorm continued, her gaze sweeping across the hall. “To every and every person who has been a part of this dream in any way, shape or form, from the supportive parents bringing their children to rehearsals to the tireless volunteers putting things in place for our shows, thank you. Thank you all. Your contributions have shaped not just a choir but a community of harmony, and posterity will look upon you with the greatest of kindness.”
The room buzzed with applause and affirmations, the atmosphere charged with the energy of shared achievement.
Selorm’s expression softened as she delved into a more reflective tone. “The journey to this stage hasn’t been easy. And that’s not just in a sense of putting this choir together. The journey called life has been a tough one for me. God knows that without His intervention, I wouldn’t be here. The reason I’m so grateful for this moment of joy is because I’ve faced so many hard times. Right from childhood. My story eh, it’s a long story, and I think I’d spend too much time here if I decide to talk about it…”
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd, breaking through the silence. “We want to hear it!”
The sentiment was echoed by others, the audience eager to hear about Selorm’s journey.
Selorm, initially taken aback by that voice, smiled and shook her head. “Nahh, I don’t think that’s for tonight. The program needs to move along…”
“Ohhhhhh!!” the audience groaned in response, everyone displeased with her excuse.
The MC, sensing the collective interest, stepped forward with a smile. “Well, tonight is your night, Selorm. And if you’re willing to share your story, then you have all the time you need. We’re here for you.”
The audience clapped in agreement.
Selorm hesitated for a moment, briefly debating within herself whether to do it or not. It would be rather long, and extremely emotional for some ears. And she hadn’t told her story to an audience this huge before.
But then, why not? This wasn’t a tale that ended in sorrow. She had triumphed through it all. Surely this would be a source of inspiration to many. And it certainly would not be boring. Sure, it would probably provoke a tear or two to gush out, but… it would be a tale of victory.
So with a nod, she acquiesced.
“Very well,” she said, her voice steady with resolve. “I’ll share with you the chapters of my life that have brought me to this stage tonight. Just be aware that this is going to be a tear-jerker, and you’ll have to excuse me if I get a little overwhelmed.”
The crowd applauded and cheered in agreement, ever ready to give her all the space she needed, as long as she gave them the story they suddenly wanted to hear so eagerly.
She took a deep breath, then began.
“So, I’ll start with one fateful day. The day this life odyssey, if I’ll put it that way, really began to take its course. It was one Saturday afternoon at the Kotoka International Airport…”
Well, let’s join the audience in finding out what Miss Logan’s story is…
