'I’m Not a Stereotype'

...Van Vicker tells critics

By: James Harry Obeng

'I'm not only good for romance' -- Van Vicker

Ace Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker, has responded squarely to his critics who still doubt his versatility to act all-round, insisting he is simply more than the stereotypical lover-boy they think of him.

The light-skinned actor told the press in Accra that, he admits the fact that some people do not like him as an actor and the way he acts.

But this, he noted, should not be the yardstick for his critics, particularly in the media, to forever stereotype him as only good for romance and lover-boy roles, “which is a wrong tag I refuse. Don’t put me in that box!

“I accept that not all people will like how act, which is also a reason why I named my film production company as Sky Orange Productions, which name is devoid of anything related my name Van Vicker,” he said.

Van said this in response to a question posed him at a brief press conference held at the Silverbird Bar in Accra last month, shortly after an exclusive press preview of his latest own-directed film, The Hands of Time.

A reporter had questioned the exact message that the storyline sought to convey because it was not too clear and easy to tell from watching the film, to which Van Vicker said he himself would not be able to answer.

“This is because the film talks about so many things, so to give it one message will be sort of inappropriate. But if you still want a message, you can say ‘don’t trust people too much’ or something like that,” he explained, adding that, “actually, it is not every film that you’ll watch and get a message. Sometimes, it’s may be about the entertainment value and I think that is one context we can place this film!” 

The two-part film, recently premiered at the Silverbird Cinema, talks about two sisters, Dantee (Nadia Buari) and Phyll (Phoebe Evwuraye), who got separated when a wealthy man adopted the latter as his only child.

The man willed all his estates to the adopted daughter (Phyll) upon his death, including his multinational insurance company. But Kwabena (Kofi Adjorlolo), the covetous husband of Phyll, wanted all the wealth to himself, so he plotted and killed Phyll.

Meanwhile, Dantee was gifted to seeing visions and, as a result, was able to determine who killed her sisters. She, therefore, decided to avenge the sister’s death by first marrying Kwabena who knew nothing about Dantee’s relationship with Phyll.

The role of Van Vicker in this movie – which he directed himself – is one of a cleaner who, by his exceptional intelligence, was promoted to become the Personal Assistant (PA) to Kwabena.

“I don’t always get to become a lover-boy, and this is one such role,” Van Vicker teased, as he called on the public to book their copies when the film is finally released onto the market in the coming weeks.

‘Okyeame Kwame Is The Best’

--- says Kwesi Kyei Darkwa

By James Harry Obeng

Okyeame Kwame -- The Best?

The fierce contestations that rocked Okyeame Kwame sometime ago after he had touted himself as the ‘Best Rapper Alive’ may have extinguished now, but there appears to be some music connoisseurs who still believe the rapper was not wrong after all.

Such connoisseurs share the unwavering opinion that aside the rapper possessing an extraordinary music talent, the music industry also needed to celebrate all such musicians who exploit their creativity in a way that no other has done before.

This was what Kwesi Kyei Darkwa, well-known in showbiz by his initials K.O.D, had to say about Okyeame Kwame a fortnight ago at the Aphrodisiac Nite Club at Nhyiaeso in Kumasi, during the official video premiere of the rapper’s latest single, ‘Mr. Versatile.’

In an apparent appreciation of the rapper’s unmatched musical craftsmanship as demonstrated in the song, K.K.D – who was the Master of Ceremony (MC) for the event – indicated that indeed, Okyeame Kwame was the best rapper one could find.

He explained that his comment was not borne out of any personal fondness he has for the musician, but because his song ‘Mr. Versatile’ was one of a kind, which type nobody has done before, globally.

KKD - 'Okyeame Kwame is the best!'

K.K.D added that in his line of work and travels around the world, he had not come across any song that alternates between various genres and presentations, talk less of a musician who does this in just a song. 

However, KKD noted that ‘Mr. Verstaile’ was one rare example of a song in which the rapper alternates between as many as nine music genres, alongside the chorus which is delivered in Blues (by Irene Logan). In all, Okyeame Kwame employs raga in the first rap verse, then switches to Hiplife (second), a blend of ‘adowa’ and ‘kete’ (third and fourth), Highlife (fifth), Hiphop (sixth), swing/jazz (seventh) and rock (eighth).

“Such a musician needs not only be celebrated, but also appreciated and encouraged,” he quipped. The ‘Mr. Versatile’ video can be accessed on TV and the internet – Youtube!

Meanwhile, Okyeame Kwame declined to comment as to whether or not he is the best, when the ‘Spectator Agoro’ contacted him on Wednesday.

Dumelo, Yvonne Misfire

…as 'Wrong Target' premieres tomorrow, Sept. 7, @ Silverbird

By: James Harry Obeng

Lovebirds: John Dumelo and Yvonne Nelson take their fondness for each other into 'Wrong Target'

Perhaps, the Ghanaian filmmaker and viewer are both victims of a particular disease which never heals.

This disease is about how filmmakers – especially scriptwriters, directors and producers – expend all their times and energies into making films in which the end are easily read from the very first scene.

Whatever goes on in such films are readily predictable that viewers sometime do not also have to spend much dictating how it will end. And presto, viewers of such films are often right than wrong!

This, without doubt, is one of the easiest ways a growing film industry loses its loyal patrons to rival industries – and Ghana’s is of no exception. Except for a handful of film directors and film production houses, the rest appear not to aspire beyond ordinariness and by so doing, are gradually kill the industry!

Nonetheless, there is a new Ghanaian film that is different, in the sense that the end cannot be seen through the beginning. This means that until the end comes, no viewer can predict how it will end.

The film, Wrong Target, also adds a professional touch to its entire editing that the genre is even difficult to tell. “Is it a romantic or action movie?” is the million-dollar question that hits the viewer upon watching.

This is because helpless as some viewers might be compelled to think the plot is one of love, there are also scenes and turnarounds that liken the film to typical American action stuff, such as in the detonation of explosives and the preponderance of dreaded gangsterism, among others.

But that is where the element of suspense is also effectively built by Samuel Owusu Asare (the director/editor) that, no-one blinks an eye till the end.

A debut production by the newly-established Blue Ray Pictures, Wrong Target blends the film industry’s lovebirds – John Dumelo (as Kofi Aggrey; a software developer) and Yvonne Nelson – with a couple of new and fast-rising faces, such as the sensational Crystabel Ekeh (Rose), Dream Debo (Naked) and Marrie Ganaah (Suraj), among others.

It also features Edward Agyekum Kufuor, a son of former president Kufuor, who has so far described the film as a “welcomed departure from the everyday story we see in Ghanaian movies.”

Why not then watch it when it premieres on Friday, September 7, next week, at the Silverbird Cinema (Accra Mall) in Accra.

Jay Ghartey & Kwaw Kesse Ready to ‘Cool Down’

Masters of the game: Jay Ghartey (right) and Kwaw Kesse are ready to cool down!

By James Harry Obeng

Entertainment and music enthusiasts who have been yearning for the return of Jay Ghantey since the release of his hit song “My Lady” two years ago, should now brace up for the big news.

This is because the master lyricist is ready to roll his latest bang, which music connoisseurs – including sound engineers and disc-jockeys (DJs) – have so far tipped to cruise its way to the top of the charts without much contention.

The song, titled Cool Down, is an up-tempo, Azonto-spiced Hiphop tune laced on heavy drums, and with such commanding lyrics capable to arrest the attention of listeners anytime.

The track – a single off his forthcoming album slated for release later this year, possibly December – features one of the country’s finest Hiplife sensations, Kwaw Kesse, well-known in showbiz as Abodam.

On the song, Jay Ghartey keeps his flair and flow intact, mostly in ‘broken-English’ diction which truly engages the listener, whereas Kwaw Kesse – as usual – manages to smash his verse from beginning to end, to entertain his audience.

In an interview with the Spectator Agoro on Wednesday, Jay Ghartey indicated that the unique blend of his style and that of Abodam makes the song one of a kind “which surely, will shake the music industry in the country and beyond!”

He disclosed that the song would be released anytime soon on the airwaves, so as to serve its primary purpose of contributing towards ensuring a peaceful general elections in December, this year.

“The song has been made in anticipation of the elections, where it’s become important that every Ghanaian remains peaceful and calm, regardless of the results,” he explained, adding that it “carries a double meaning which encourages fans to remain calm and steady, even in their personal lives.”

He described the song as “one of the most meaningful songs I have,” emphasising that he made the song because it involved celebrating the peace “we enjoy here in Ghana. Kwaw Kesse is also a genius and I am honoured to feature him.”

The Choral Prof Nketiah

…Ghanaian-nizing the genre on CD

By: JAMES HARRY OBENG

Legend -- Prof. J.H Kwabena Nketiah

For the present-day generation of Ghanaian music-lovers, choral music is likely to be seen as ‘something’ owned and appreciated by the plentiful church and school choir-groups spread across the country.

Yes, it is true, but not true!

True, in the sense that just as situations elsewhere, choral music has traditionally found solace with the church (and school) where choirs are usually put together. This is why in Ghana, most people are only able to define choral music with the Tema and Winneba youth choirs in their mind.

But not true, in the sense that choral music has forever been ‘absorbed’ and appreciated – to a large extent – as soothing music by many Ghanaians across generations, and as such, owned and sang by all. The absorption rate becomes particularly infectious and addictive, if the appreciator has a classic taste for good music, or hails from an orthodox persuasion – like the Methodist or Presbyterian churches.

Whichever way one looks at it, choral music has made – and continues to make – significant contributions to the national and individual lives of Ghanaians, aside providing a variety to the entertainment industry. But the genre has suffered greatly of non-patronage.

Just as one critic put it, choral music “may have gone comatose, but never it really gave up the ghost (in Ghana), thanks to the staying power of the church and workplace choirs” who have relived it with their activities on different platforms and in different dimensions.

But aside the exploits of the church and choir-groups in keeping alive the genre in the country, there have been great Ghanaian composers whose artistry have led to Ghanaian-nizing choral music. Prior to these great composers, choral music had probably covered performances from the Methodist Hymn Book or any such available foreign literature.

These composers came up with original renditions in local languages that did only whip up national patriotism, but to a large Ghanaian-nised the genre. One such composer is Professor Emeritus J. H. Kwabena Nketiah, the legendary Ghanaian ethnomusicologist, whose exploits have been celebrated across board, near and far, home and abroad!

Indeed Prof. Nketiah’s works have spanned generations, with each appreciating the 90-plus-one-old’s rich repertoire of renditions. Now, here is the good news: some of these collections have been put together on compact disc (CD), in addition to some solo songs by the great composer.

This will afford Ghanaians and lovers of choral music, especially those who never knew and heard about such compositions written as far back as the 1940’s, the opportunity to own, listen and appreciate the artistry of the country’s and world’s all-time greatest.

The recording of CD falls under a project drawn as part of the ‘Nketiah @ 90 Choral Concert’ held in Accra last year, to commemorate his 90th birthday.

Some of these compositions include: Agya Nyame Adom Ahwe Yen; M’aforo Patahunu (I Have Climed the Ceiling in Vain – 1943); Mefre Kwasi (I am Calling Kwasi – 1950); Mmere Nyinaa Nse (Times Change – 1943); Monna N’ase (Thanks Be To God – 1942); Mpere Nto Akyamfoɔ Tuo (Do Not Be In A Hurry To Shoot a Prominent Citizen – 1943); Nnansa Ne Nne (It Happened Three Days Ago – 1947) and Nkyirimma Nye Bi (Let Each Generation Follow Suite – 1970), among others.

The songs, all written, composed and arranged by Prof. Nketiah, were performed by the University of Cape Coast Community Choir and the Tema Youth Choir, recorded at the Vision Audio Laboratory. Other contributors are: Benedict Assan Sackey (Conductor), Alfred Patrick Adaquay (pianist), John Wesley Danquah and Kwesi Essel Ahinkorah (soloists).

The CD album, produced by the Nketiah Music Foundation for Media Excel Productions (MEP) shops in Accra, is marketed and distributed nationwide by the Media Excel stores at Katamanto and Despite Shops, UTC, as well as all respectable CD shops and accredited bookshops across the country.

Ernest Kwesi Ernest, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Media Excel Productions – the producers – told the ‘Spectator Agoro’ on Monday that patronage of the albums has been phenomenal, indicative of the “quality of the songs and the fact a lot Ghanaians didn’t know such compositions existed. You are missing something, if you are not a choral music fan!”

S-E-R-I-O-U-S Business: Abrantie Amakye Dede zooms into action with his chief violinist

Amakye Dede

….the ‘Iron Boy’ is the next legend for celebration

By James Harry Obeng

So admits Shakespeare, the celebrated playwright and poet: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them!”

Indeed, the story of veteran Highlife musician ‘Abrantie’ Amakye Dede remains a sensational account of determination, talent and industry crowned with greatness. He may not have been born great, but he is today one of the greatest, if not the finest, in the country’s entertainment history.

With an accomplished career that spans over three decades, Amakye Dede’s artistry has been decorated with multiple enviable awards and honours from across the globe. This, to a large extent, accounts for why his name needs no introduction anytime it is mentioned.

Fact is that, among the young and old generations of Highlife music enthusiasts, home and abroad, Amakye Dede is one artiste who courts fame, attention, goodwill and patronage without much compare.

His terrific live-band showmanship and the bravura to deliver unadulterated Highlife music are what even fascinate the more, for which reason he wears the singular accolade S-E-R-I-O-U-S on the local music scene.

Undeniably, he is a serious music-man who never messes about; a legend who needs celebration by home, country and peers! No wonder he is the next Ghanaian musician slated for celebration this year.

With about 22 albums to his credit, Amakye Dede has been identified by the Accra-based Imajin Advertising as the Ghanaian music legend for this year’s prestigious LEGENDS AND LEGACY BALL (LLB). The first to be celebrated at the maiden event held on November 12, last year, was Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.

Now, the attention is on Amakye Dede who will take to the stage at the main auditorium of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Saturday, September 15, and perform most of his lifetime repertoire of songs.

There will, as usual, be additional performances by other musicians who will all, one after the other, pour onto the stage to deliver songs originally done by Amakye Dede.

Already, the organizers have named artistes such as Rebecca Akosua Acheampong (Becca), Kwame Nsiah Apau (Okyeame Kwame), Daasebre Dwamena, Nacy, Samini, Kwabena Kwabena, Eazzy, Steve Bedie and several other performers for the night.

Also, Ivorian superstar, Freddie Meiway – who happens to be a personal friend of Amakye Dede – will also be at the AICC to celebrate Amakye Dede.

A major highlight that made last year’s event a memorable one was the surprise attendance of the country’s two ex-presidents, John Agyekum Kufuor and Jerry John Rawlings. One of the high point of the event – which is quite a departure from the normal musical concerts – was when President Kufuor took to the dance-floor with Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, a former First Lady and spouse of ex-President Rawlings.

This development captured the frontpages of major newspaper across the country, all because of the mere fact that many Ghanaians had, before the event, seen the two ex-presidents as not seeing eye-to-eye.

But with the power of music, the supposed wedge was broken, paving a way for a renewed cohesion between supporters of the two political powerhouses! This year too, the organizers – Imajin Advertising – are promising other surprise guests dignitaries who will make the night a memorable one.

In an interview with Kojo Rana, the Events Manager of Imajin Advertising, Amakye Dede has been selected as the legend for celebration this year because, “he meets all the requirements and objectives for which the LAL Ball has been instituted.”

He expantiated on the objectives: “The Legends and Legacy Ball is an event which seeks to celebrate the achievement and legacies of our living music legends. This concept is to stir up the passion of the young and upcoming musicians to work hard to attain the success that the legends have attained.

“We also use it to afford the younger generation of artistes the opportunity to showcase their unique talents and thereby vend themselves to many other inherent opportunities,” he explained.

As the legend being celebrated, Amakye Dede will be presented with a gold medal, plaque and other awards in recognition of his hard work, success and contribution to the entertainment industry.

Who is Amakye Dede?

Show-master: Daniel Amakye Dede

One of the country’s celebrated Highlife artistes, Abrantie Amakye Dede was born in 1958 at Asante Akyem Agogo in the Ashanti Region. He  began his musical career in 1975 when he joined the Kumapim Royals Band led by the late Akwasi Ampofo Agyei (Mr AAA), as a composer, vocalist and guitarist.

He left the band in 1979 and formed his own – the Apollo High Kings International Band – a year after, and has since released over 20 albums. Some of his popular songs include: Sokoo Na Mmaa Pe, Kose Kose, Dabi Dabi, Mefre Wo, Okyena Sesei, Odo Mfonii, Nka akyi, M’ani Agyina, Jealously Go shame, Su fre wo Nyame, Enkaakyi,  Krokro Me, Ohohoo Batani, Seniwa, Brebrebe yi, Mensuro, M’abre, Broken Promises and Nsuo Amuna.

Meanwhile, Amakye Dede is often called by many as Iron Boy after the title of a song he released in 1998, and which riveted lovers of Highlife music across the globe.

Abrantie owns the popular Abrantie Spot bar at Abeka Lapaz in Accra, where he also performs with live-band music on particular days.  He also takes interest in soccer and as such, has owns a second division football club in Accra called the High Kings FC, to help unearth and nurture football talents in the country. 

He is also a farmer of a 20-acreage orange and pineapple farm at Kubease in the Ejisu-Juaben District of the Ashanti Region, which won him the district’s Best Farmer Award in 1999.

Amakye Dede is married to Madam Adwoa Mary with four children. He picks Nana Kwame Ampadu (the ‘Nnwomtofo-Hene’ – King of Musicians) as the all-time music legend the country has produced, because “he is simply the one to learn from, in terms of achievements, experience, composition and voice.”

Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur

...the new Vice-President

Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur -- the Vice-President

By: JAMES HARRY OBENG

Prior to his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday and his subsequent approval thereof, Mr. Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur had probably never dreamt of ascending the high seat of the Vice-President of the Republic Ghana in such fashion.

Very much likely also, Paa Kwesi (or Pee-Kay) – as his peers call him – may neither have contemplated that office nor any other responsibilities that came with it, especially when he occupied the position of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

Those who have known him inside-out admire his unassuming disposition and impeccable credentials as an economic technocrat and as a such, would have wished that he still held on to the fort as the main man at the country’s central bank.

But this, however, was not to be, as the nation required his services in that much higher position, particularly at a time of national emergency necessitated by the demise of a sitting president, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills!

By this inexplicable twist of fate (and luck), Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur is today the Vice-President of the country, the fifth since the break of the Fourth Republic in 1992, after Kow Nkensen Arkaah, John Evans Atta Mills, Aliu Mahama and John Dramani Mahama.

Nonetheless, the rise of Paa Kwesi to the Castle brings to the fore, an unprecedented cocktail of chilling historic facts. To begin with, Paa Kwesi becomes the first Vice-President in the annals of the country to step into office because a sitting president died, and as such, was sworn into office at a time that the entire nation was enveloped in grief.

Again, he becomes the first Vice-President to deputise a president who himself was the vice-president to a departed president, but had to constitutionally relinquish his vice-presidential position for the presidency within 24 hours without going through an election.

This invariably also makes him the first Vice-President to be sworn into office, following the approval of Parliament – but not coming out of an election in which the candidate he partnered won.

In fact, all these conditioned by the 1992 Constitution, which indicates in Article 60 Clause 6, that: “Whenever the President dies, resigns or is removed from office, the Vice-President shall assume office as President for the unexpired term of office of the President with effect from the date of the death, resignation or removal of the President.”

Clause 10 of the same Article adds that: “The Vice-President shall upon assuming office as President under Clause 6 of this article, nominate a person to the Vice-President subject to the approval of the Parliament.”

This accounts for why Paa Kwesi was sworn into office on Monday as the second Vice-President under the current administration by the Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Woods, having earlier been vetted and approval by the Appointments Committee and Parliament, respectively.

But aside the constitutional details, Paa Kwesi’s rise has also enjoyed its fair share of the speculations, criticisms and opposition from a cross-section of Ghanaians, both within and without his own party – the National Democratic Congress (NDC)

First, as characteristic of such developments, the choice of a new Vice-President had seen its own speculation in media, wherefore a number of popular nominees who were advertised by the media eventually lost the position to Paa Kwesi whose name never made such a ‘shortlist.’

This had been preceded with criticisms from elements and interest groups within the NDC, who initially opposed the president’s choice of Paa Kwesi on the grounds that he is not a strong party-man – whatever that means!

Others also, through various covert and subtle means, tried to find ways to discredit his professional competence, punching holes into his exploits as a former deputy Finance Minister (1993 – 1997) and Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

But in the face of all these, Paa Kwesi has remained unruffled till his swearing-in as the Vice President last Monday which, in effect, also signalled the end of his tenure as the Governor of BoG.

The Man Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur

Born 29 April 1951 in the Central Regional capital of Cape Coast, Paa Kwesi has worked in various capacities and fields which cut across education and finance.

He attended the Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, where he obtained the GCE Ordinary Level and GCE Advanced Level certificates in 1969 and the 1971, respectively. He continued to the University of Ghana, Legon, graduating with his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Economics in 1974 and 1976, respectively.

Paa Kwesi then lectured at the Department of Economics at the University of Ghana between 1980 and 1988, having earlier worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research between 1974 and 1975.

At the Economics Department, he had been a teaching assistant from 1977 to 1978, and becoming an assistant lecturer in 1979. He has also lectured at the Department of Economics, Anambra State College of Education, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria from August, 1981 till July, 1983).

He has a rich political background. Between 1983 and 1986, Paa Kwesi was a Special Assistant to the Secretary (or Minister) for Planning and Economic, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, in the erstwhile government of Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) headed by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings. Here, his main responsibility concerned the management of multilateral assistance in support of Ghana’s Economic Recovery Programme.

From February 1986 to March 1993, he rose to become the Deputy Secretary (deputy Minister) of Finance and Economic Planning, with responsibilities that included the preparation of the annual Public Investment Programme, management of the budget, as well as the management of bilateral and multilateral assistance to the country.

Between April 1993 and March 1997, Paa Kwesi was the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the administration of the Rawlings-led NDC, involved with the formulation, design and implementation of the budget, management of revenue agencies and supervision of government expenditures, among others.

He worked as a Consultant for the World Bank in The Gambia (November – Decmber 1997), and as a consultant for the Netherlands government Education project in Ghana (May – December 1997).

Paa Kwesi then worked as Senior Economist for the Sigma One Corporation in Ghana between 1998 and 2000, in addition to many other economic and finance-related engagements, home and abroad.

He was appointed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana in October 2009 by the late President, Prof Mills, a position he has held till last Monday, August 6, when he was sworn into office as the Vice President of Ghana.

A Christian with the Calvary Methodist Church at Adabraka in Accra, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur is married with two children. We, of ‘The Spectator,’ congratulate him on his new position and wish that he brings his rich wealth of financial experience to bear on enhancing the country’s economic development.