MEETING AMANDZEBA – ENCOUNTER WITH A LEGEND

By Deborah Titus-Glover

April 12, 2023. East Cantonments, Accra: Today, I met a legend. I met the legend at the residence of cultural entrepreneur Paa Kwesi Holbrook-Smith in East Cantonments. I’m not namedropping, but also present were renowned documentary film maker Nii Kwate Owoo, President of Cultural Groups Nii Tetteh Tettey and of course our own Nana S. Achampong who was my chaperon.

I am talking of the man we all know and call Amandzeba.

They were discussing the forthcoming Kofi Ghanaba Centenary celebrations to be launched on May 4 at AUCC. As the meeting progressed, Nana Achampong asked the legend the level of research he had to do for his mega hit ‘Wogbe gyeke’. And the response turned into a lesson in history, identity politics, geography and pride.

Indeed meeting such a legend that I have admired for a long time was a bit overwhelming. For, he has profoundly impacted me and many of my generation with his music and politics. But what followed blew my mind further. But the way he talked passionately of his travels in Israel and connected the Ga culture to the history and traditions of that region took it to another level.

“We are the original people from there,” he ended emphatically. “Ghanaians should learn about their roots.”

The Cape Coast native born and bred in Accra with a command of Ga, Hausa and Fante says the lack of appreciation of our past makes it difficult for us to rise above immediate problems.

He said for the younger and future generations to discover our heritage and roots as Ghanaians and Africans, we need in-depth knowledge of self.

He promised to visit Discovery House in Adabraka soon to talk with AUCC students. I absolutely cannot wait to hear what else he has in store from his travels to other parts of the world like Ethiopia and what discoveries he has made of our roots as Africans.

Generations to come shall remember Amandzeba as one of Ghana’s greatest highlife legends. Back in the day, even though his father wished for him to enter the professions, he ironically named him Nat King Cole Brew.

Fast forward years later, Amandzeba is considered today among the greatest highlife artistes of all time. The uniqueness of his music has earned him numerous awards, including the ultimate prize of the 7^th International Alpine Festival held in Saas Fee, Switzerland.

He employs indigenous Ghanaian rhythms and keeps flying the Ghanaian flag everywhere, showing the world the level of talent we possess. But at my encounter, I realized he has a vast knowledge of African history and culture too.

I can’t wait to meet him again when he visits AUCC. Today, I met a legend indeed.