Numbers: History Made at Tumu Sports Stadium as Thousands Thrill to New Year ‘Karma Concert’
History was made on New Year’s Day at the Tumu Sports Stadium Astro Turf as an unprecedented crowd of over 4,000 music enthusiasts gathered for the maiden “Karma Concert.” The event, which saw tickets sold out hours before the gates opened, was headlined by Tamale-based Afrobeat superstar Fancy Gadam and Tumu’s own local icon, Mental Diz. The concert has been described by residents and industry observers as the first of its kind in the Sissala East Municipality, marking the highest attendance for a single-artist-led event at the newly constructed Astro Turf.
The high-profile nature of the concert attracted several key personalities from the political and corporate spheres. Representing both the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sissala East, Hon. Mohammed Issah Bataglia, and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Adamu Yakubu, was the NDC Constituency Youth Organizer, Haruna Bankuoru, and his team.
The media fraternity was also represented at the highest level, with the Manager of Radford FM, Mr. Mohammed Salia, and the Manager of Sissala Radio, Ibrahim Wasor, attending in person. Also in attendance was the Area Manager for NEDCo, who joined the thousands of fans to witness the historic night.Performances and HighlightsThe night was characterized by high-energy performances that kept the audience on their feet for hours. Mental Diz, the local headline act credited with bringing Fancy Gadam to Tumu, delivered a marathon 30-minute set of his hit songs.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch when Fancy Gadam took to the stage for over 40 minutes. In a moment of mentorship, Gadam called Mental Diz back onto the stage, urging the gathering to remain steadfast in their support for local talent. “Keep supporting him; he will take you far,” Gadam told the cheering fans.The “Karma Concert” served as a critical platform for budding artists.
Supporting acts including Aisha Ghana, Apaco Gh, Amani Gh, Best Target, Nibaradun Maneja, Laxx Dis Bom, Superbwoy Santana, Alka GH, Nadia Ironbwoy, and Young Money Cubs were each given 10 to 15 minutes to showcase their craft.
The concert proved to be a massive commercial success, with regular tickets sold at GH₵40 and VIP access at GH₵100. Despite the premium pricing for the region, the demand far outstripped supply, leading to a total sell-out.
Following the event, the organizing team, led by its Chief Executive, popularly known as Iconic Sissala, took to social media to express gratitude to the public and stakeholders. He acknowledged the support of sponsors and media partners, specifically Radford 107.5FM, Sissala Radio, and Gwollu FM, as well as the local blogging community.The success of the Karma Concert is expected to pave the way for more large-scale entertainment events in the Sissala area, boosting the local creative economy and providing a much-needed spotlight on Northern Ghanaian talent.
By Bashiru Nuhu Bapagu