Tamale’s Modern City Hotel became the centre of a pulsating night of live music on Saturday as some of Ghana’s biggest names in music took turns on stage at the MTN SavannahFest music concert.
Fancy Gadam, King Ayisoba, Sherifatu Gunu and headline act Samini delivered energetic live-band performances that kept patrons singing, dancing and on their feet as MTN Ghana’s regional festival added music to its celebration of communities in Northern Ghana.
The concert, held as part of MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary celebrations, was one of several activities lined up under SavannahFest 2026, which runs from September 18 to October 3 in Tamale.
MTN Ghana launched this year’s festival as a platform to connect with customers and communities while celebrating northern culture and supporting community development. The programme also includes an expanded 16-team inter-community football gala, health outreach and a community clean-up exercise.
But on Saturday night, the focus shifted firmly to music.
Fancy Gadam raises the tempo
Tamale’s own Fancy Gadam wasted little time setting the tone, bringing his trademark energy to the stage and drawing patrons into the performance.
One of the biggest moments of his set came when he performed his latest hit, “I Don’t Need You,” featuring Nigerian artiste Rudeboy, with a live band.
It was the first time Fancy Gadam had performed the new song with a live band, giving the track a different texture as horns, bass and live percussion drove the performance.
The response from the audience was immediate, with the packed hall singing along as the Gadam Nation leader delivered the song.
His performance also drew from his catalogue of popular songs, keeping the momentum high and establishing the tone for what would become a long night of live music.
King Ayisoba takes over
King Ayisoba followed with a performance that brought his distinctive sound and stage energy to the concert.
Backed by a live band, the traditional music star commanded attention with his vocals and energetic delivery, transforming the atmosphere as patrons responded to his performance.
His appearance added a distinctly traditional dimension to the night, demonstrating the range of music represented on the SavannahFest stage.
For a festival built around community and northern culture, Ayisoba’s performance provided a natural connection between contemporary entertainment and Ghana’s indigenous musical traditions.
Sherifatu Gunu delivers live-band magic
Sherifatu Gunu maintained the momentum with a powerful live-band performance of her own.
The singer combined strong vocals with an energetic stage presence, working with the band as she performed some of her popular songs.
Her set drew an enthusiastic response from the audience, with the live instrumentation providing a rich backdrop to her vocals.
It was another performance that underscored the emphasis on live music throughout the concert, with the artistes relying on bands rather than simply delivering playback performances.
Samini closes the night in style
Then came Samini.
The Ghanaian reggae and dancehall icon, who had been announced as the headline act for the Tamale edition of the MTN Music Festival, brought the concert to its peak with a power-packed live-band performance.
Backed by a live band, Samini moved through his catalogue with the confidence of an artiste who has spent more than two decades commanding major stages.
From his older hits to his dancehall anthems, he kept patrons engaged, combining vocals, movement and crowd interaction throughout his set.
The choice of Samini as headline act also carried a northern connection. Born Emmanuel Andrews Samini and originally from Wa in the Upper West Region, the artiste has built a career around a fusion of reggae, dancehall, highlife and hip-hop. His appearance in Tamale therefore brought one of Ghana’s established music stars back to a region with which he has strong cultural ties.
By the time his set ended, the concert had delivered on its promise of a night centred on live music, with four different artistes offering contrasting sounds and performance styles.
Music at the heart of SavannahFest
The concert formed part of a broader SavannahFest programme designed to bring MTN closer to the communities and customers it serves in northern Ghana.
According to MTN, this year’s festival is bigger as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, with the company combining entertainment with sports, health and community activities.
The 16-team football gala, which began on Friday, brings together clubs from communities across Tamale, Sagnarigu and Tolon, with the competition scheduled to climax on October 3.
Other activities include a clean-up exercise at the Tamale Taxi Station and Tamale Teaching Hospital on September 25, followed by a health walk and free health screening at Jubilee Park on September 26.
But for the patrons who gathered at Modern City Hotel on Saturday night, SavannahFest was, at least for one evening, about the music.
And with Fancy Gadam, King Ayisoba, Sherifatu Gunu and Samini taking turns on the stage, MTN’s anniversary celebration found a fitting soundtrack in Tamale.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
