Namibia: Anti-Corruption Song Contest Draws Huge Interest - At least 23 choirs have so far entered for the anti-corruption song competition, which is aimed at discouraging people in high office from stealing from the poor and people in general to avoid corruption. [All Africa.com music]

This is a worthy effort to make use of music in educating the populace about an issue that is paramount in African societies today - corruption. Having the competition allows people to understand the issues and concerns surrounding corruption, documents stories and various forms of this problem and contributes to the positive vibe of entertainment.

I have heard about a few Namibian musicians recently, thanks to friends I am making in various places . None of these musicians were mentioned in this fight against corruption. Where is Gal Level in any of this? Is Gazza interested? Is the Dogg busying himself with making more hits in the studio? I feel for such an anti-corruption campaign to work well, the government or whatever entity is pursuing this project, must identify and make use of the top and popular musicians in the country.

Major Ghanaian musicians have joined the bandwagon to write and perform songs fighting various causes - the all-star cast that did the 'Stop Aids, Love Life' song, the diverse group of musicians that banded together to sing about peace during the Dagbon crisis and individual efforts like Obrafour's campaign for better discipline and Obour's road tour and road safety campaign. Using the faces of the music industry works better and this anti-corruption campaign must sign them on.

Choirs would do the job too. It is synonymous with Ghanaian television stations to have various choirs sing patroitic songs (national anthem, etc) during holidays. However, we are not leaving social consciousness and patroitic anthems to religious institutions, or are we? The competition is geared towards educating people in high offices to desist from corruption. Would people in government really listen to some song and pay attention? Maybe, if these social vibes are sang constantly in the churches they attend, that would help. Messages about corruption are for everybody, it doesn't only exist in high offices.

I must say this competition is a step in the right direction as it seems to involve the citizenry, through a number of draws and other contests. Namibia has set the pace, other African countries should follow.

Update!
We have a winner. - Voice of God choir.