The Uppers International Dance band`s formation came about from A A Ampofo, the then Regional Administrative offer for Upper Region under General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong`s government in 1975.
The new Upper Region was carved out in the early 70`s where people deliberately refused postings to the regions despite mouth-watering offers from the government because the enclave lacked infrastructural development.
The situation was worse to the extent that People were willing to resign their positions and job rather than to go up north to work and “Those who were courageous and adventurous enough to accept to work in the found no avenues for social relaxations” .. This led to the Upper regional administration took decision to form a dance band in the Region in 1974 to fill the social vacuum.
Series of meetings where then held and finally at Bolgatanga Catering Rest House a dance Band was formed with a name UPPERs International Dance Band. Immediately The Catering Rest House was renovated and modernized with additional amenities such as provision of spacious bar and restaurants, discotheque, swimming pool, lawn tennis court and laundry services.
“The formation of Uppers International Dance Band became an antidote to the development of musical talents that abound in the Upper region but which had hitherto remained untapped, prominent among them was the female legend Christy Azuma, the professional teacher who turned professional musician”(Ampofo 1975). Christie`s early songs won the hearts of dance fans both within and outside Ghana as a result of her naturally gifted melodious voice and immaculate delivery.
Fans and music connoisseurs gave her the name, “Lady of Africa.” With Christie at helms of affairs (lead vocalist) with Uppers International Dance Band, the group became the iconic ambassadors who performed public relations work the region by gaining and constantly maintaining unfettered popularity on the national entertainment scene.
The band was able to rebrand Upper Region in a short time to marvelled its promoters, the Acheampong`s regime. Ampofo (1975) posits that “Barely a year after its formation, it was acclaimed Ghana`s Band of the Year.” The group had national following, and “workers no longer resist postings to the Region but happily volunteers for service in the Upper Region.”
CHRISTIE AZUMAH aka The Lady of Africa, one of the greatest lady musicians in Ghana and arguably one whose act seems comparable to Angelique Kidjo of Benin. Christie`s song “Naam” is a classic elixir that soothes the ears and the heart and a Holy Therapeutic Grail for all who have ever listened to it. The song was a powerful hit, and it got featured in the movie “Bamako” by famous Abderrahmane Sissako, the Mauritanian born film director and writer, known for great movies like Timbuktu (2014), Waiting for Happiness (2002) and Life on Earth (1998).
Christie Azumah and Uppers International Dance Band rendered one the greatest Ghanaian grooves from the 70s. The incredible Uppers International Dance Band include Willie Appiah (keyboard), Eddie Asiamah (guitar), Isaac Manu (guitar/vocal), Baba Yamba (bass guitar), E K Quarshie (tenor sax), Mamudu Iddi (alto sax), Eddie Michael (trumpet), Morgan Ofori (drums), Sammy Anyineme (conga/vocal), Amoah Azangleo (percussion), Chester Adams Issaka (vocal), Avio Gabriel (vocal) and Prince Ali (vocal).Â
Their famous hits were Din Ya Sugri, Ja Wenle and Naam sang by Christie Azumah, Azilamande and Kapaa sang by Shaft Avio Gabriel. Eye Kyerew Me by Ernest Quarshie and Isaac Manu, Ba Mai Ayikin Banza by Mamudu Idrissu and Isaac Manu and Mu Baida Girma by Christie Azumah, Mamudu Iddrisu and Baba Salifu.Â
Despite the great work for the Upper Region, there is no single edifice to honor the uppers band international from the Upper East and West Region of Ghana. Till today, the two regional coordinating councils never used any forum to pay tribute for this selfless work.
Meanwhile, the Musician Association of Ghana was has equally been silent about the contributions , of the uppers band international  to the music industry perhaps the current executives do not even know about music development in the country.
Source: Samuel Mbura/a1radioonline.com
