The forty days funeral celebration of the late Nana Kwame Ampadu 1, was colourfully celebrated at the Police Depot in Accra over the weekend.
Hordes of musicians, mourners, sympathizers, onlookers and family members thronged the funeral grounds to show their love and respect to the highlife maestro as a prelude to the actual funeral rites later in April, 2022.
When this reporter got the venue around 11 am, the whole place was filled to capacity, decorated with black and red mourning apparels and cloth as Ghanaian culture demands.
The widow and family elders had sat down to receive sympathizers and well-wishers. A big stage had been mounted for musicians to sing to pay tribute to the late music legend.
Hundreds of mourners sat down in grief and mourning mood. The Musician Unions, Actors Guild, GAMRO Representatives, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture led by the Deputy Minister, Mark Okraku Mante was there, so were many dignitaries.
Musicians like Pat Thomas, A B Crentsil, Pozo Hayes, Akosua Agyapong, Naa Amanua of Wulomei fame, Asabea Cropper, Kaakyire Kwame Appiah, Dadda K D, Smart Nkansah, Oheneba Kissi, Obuorba J.A. Adofo, Abrantee Amakye Dede, etc graced the occasion. One of the former band members of Nana Ampadu, Teacher Boateng came to sing his famous song; Oheneba Ne Nea Nepapa Tease amidst thunderous applause.
Matters reached crescendo when Alfred Benjamin Crenstsil mounted the stage to sing ‘Ayen’ and ‘Papa Samo’. Ecstasy further heightened when Mr Golden Voice of Africa, Pat Thomas also called Nana Amo Mensah 1 jumped on stage to sing, Sika Ye Mogya, Woma Yenkogya No, Me Wo Ano Nso Mentumi Nkasa.
The atmosphere was so charged that ushers found it extremely difficult to ensure comportment from the crowd. Donations poured in. The Ministry of MTCAC led by the Deputy Minister gave out 5000 Ghana cedis as their donation, many others followed. Meanwhile, the family announcer cried out loud that the final funeral rites would be held on 7th, 8th, and 9th of April, 2022.
The body would be brought home for wake keeping on the 7th. It would be laid in state at the forecourt of the Parliament House on the 8th and sent to his home town, Obo Kwahu for interment and final funeral rites and Thanksgiving on the 10th at Anglican Church, Obo Kwahu. Really highlife is the soul of this country and we must do EVERYTHING to maintain and sustain it. During the performance by the various artistes, everybody was alive with its intricate rhythms and rich lyrics.
In fact Oheneba Kissi, Pat Thomas, Kofi Sammy, JA Adofo, Sibo Brothers, Akosua Agyapong, KK Kabobo, Daddy Lumba, Junior Konadu, Bessa Simmons, Ampadu Junior, etc are all there. Kwadwo Akwaboah, Asabea Cropper, Pozo Hayes, Agyaba Afriyie, Aseboa Amanfi, Nana Tabiri, Kofi B Junior also represented.
The High Life Generalissimo, Whizkid, Legend and Protege is to be given state burial. His body will be laid in state at the State House on the 8th of April, 2022, and whisked to Obo Kwahu on the 9th of April for burial and funeral rites. A History is uprooted by Almighty Death. A storyteller, composer par excellence in Africa, a vestige singer and arranger. Ampadu produced over 1000 songs. Nana Damirifa Due. Ghana salutes you.
Source: Thedailysearchlight.com