Eighteen year-old Stephen Osei Poku, emerged the winner of the Ghana 2008 song competition held at the precincts of the CAN 2008 Local Organising Committee over the weekend.

Poku, a student of Apam Secondary School in the Central Region, topped the seven other contestants with his traditionally blended song, which won the hearts of the cheering audience and four judges including Lepowura Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula, Vice Chairman of the LOC Board, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Nana Akua Busia, renowned artist and Amanzeba, famous African artist and composer.

The announcement of the winner, who wrote his last paper in the just ended West Africa Senior Secondary School Examinations (WASSCE) barely 72 hours before the competition did not come as a surprise to many as his song centred on the theme for the event, "Passion at the centre of the earth" and moved the audience to and fro their seats. Highly tipped duo, SW 1 came second while Calvis Hammond settled for third place.

Poku received 50 million cedis for his feat with the first runner up going away with a fridge and TV set.

Hammond was rewarded with a fridge for his third place effort. In the much competitive poetry competition, Joseph Dankwa, a student of the Wisconsin International University surprisingly peeped the fans favourite, Richard Avornyotse, a journalist with the Ghana News Agency to the ultimate.

Dankwa won the hearts of the judges with his occasional rhymes and body movement, which made him a delight to watch in his log black robe designed in the national colours.

For his prize, he received 50 million cedis cash while Avornyotse went home with a TV set and fridge.

Franklord Appiah placed third, winning a fridge as his prize. Dr Kofi Amoah, Chairman of the LOC Board described the poems and songs competition as part of the road map to the opening ceremony, slated for January 20 next year. He commended government for the support exhibited towards the activities of the LOC in their desire to meet the deadline.

Source: GNA