Hip hop artists sing to Plan's tune
May 9, 2008
Hip hop artists from across West Africa recently gathered in Lomé, Togo to sing their message of child rights at a music concert attended by over 6,000 people.
Beginning with a national press conference at which they spoke about their work raising awareness of children’s rights (in particular, girls' rights to education), the 17 artists — all members of AURA (Artistes Unis pour le Rap Africain) — from Benin, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo finished up the week with a musical extravaganza attended by thousands.
Using their songs as a platform to raise awareness, the artists publicly denounced mistreatment of children — urging people to act against violators — and promoted birth registration, education for girls and the right of children to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
King Mensah, one of Africa’s leading musical artists, gave a closing performance with rousing songs that encompassed all the child rights messages sung by his group.
One audience member, 19-year-old Happy said: "This was the first time we have seen in Lomé all the artists who work together for child rights promotion. I loved it."
Another, Michel added: "You Plan, you did big work. Having a radio covering and broadcasting the event directly for all the country was marvelous."
According to Plan Togo Country Director Bell'Aube Houinato, “it is important for Plan to use musical tools, especially hip hop to communicate with children and youth to empower them and to promote child rights among the population in Togo and West Africa.”
Learn more about Plan's work in Togo.
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Beginning with a national press conference at which they spoke about their work raising awareness of children’s rights (in particular, girls' rights to education), the 17 artists — all members of AURA (Artistes Unis pour le Rap Africain) — from Benin, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo finished up the week with a musical extravaganza attended by thousands.
Using their songs as a platform to raise awareness, the artists publicly denounced mistreatment of children — urging people to act against violators — and promoted birth registration, education for girls and the right of children to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
King Mensah, one of Africa’s leading musical artists, gave a closing performance with rousing songs that encompassed all the child rights messages sung by his group.
One audience member, 19-year-old Happy said: "This was the first time we have seen in Lomé all the artists who work together for child rights promotion. I loved it."
Another, Michel added: "You Plan, you did big work. Having a radio covering and broadcasting the event directly for all the country was marvelous."
According to Plan Togo Country Director Bell'Aube Houinato, “it is important for Plan to use musical tools, especially hip hop to communicate with children and youth to empower them and to promote child rights among the population in Togo and West Africa.”
Learn more about Plan's work in Togo.
Back to top
