Features
Boosting the Music Industry
With my eyes wide open and my nose well-distended, I have been seeing and smelling what is happening in the music industry in Sikaman. My interest in the music industry is not the result of mere curiosity. Fact is that Kwame Alomele should have been a musician and not a journalist, “but God no gree.”
Small boys are young. And when I was small and young, I learnt to play the guitar. Seth Ansah of Site 21 who taught me how to manipulate the strings told me I was a fast learner. I said he was lying.
I figured he only wanted to flatter me, but within quite a short period of time I became a guitarist and my bosom friend Kofi Kokotako also learnt to become a dancer. Actually, if it hadn’t been for school, we’d have performed and made some money.
Earlier, I had learned to play the piano and organ and I also taught Seth a few lessons in the use of keyboards and later, the wahwah synthesiser. Certainly, I was on the sure steady way of becoming a musician.
I began dreaming and day-dreaming I was indeed a musician. I was Jimi Hendrix wiring 18 strings to great effects, the frenzied crowd cheering and cheering as I hit the stage. It was a youthful experience one needed to have.
In school, I used to disappear every afternoon only to materialise at the training place of the Supreme Dynamos Band just to watch them train. I used to cherish those moments.
Then one day I told my mother I wanted to be a musician. She was glad. She liked the music of the masters like Bach’s Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring, the Messiah by Handel and the wonderful masterpieces of Mozart and Beethoven. If I could be like any of them, she’d thank God.
“Go ahead, why not?” she encouraged me.
“I’m not saying I want to be a classical musician-o,” I explained. “I want to be like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.”
She simply asked me to go and report to my Dad the nonsense I was trying to spew. But of course, Dad wouldn’t come into a matter of this kind. He’d strangle me to death upon merely hearing the name of the great Bob Nestor Marley, the legendary reggae king.
I had to abandon the idea and stick to chemistry books. No fooling around! Man must become a medical doctor.
Since then, however, my heart has always been in music and, as afore-mentioned, I have followed the developments in the music industry. Luckily, I recently stumbled upon information that would be of value to music producers.
Ghana can now boast of having the MACKIE MIDI AUTOMATED RECORDING CONSOLE, arguably the best recording equipment worldwide. It is right here in Ghana. If good music is not properly recorded, it loses its quality.
It reminds me of what Kwame Korkorti once told me. “If you don’t spice the nicest chunks of meat, you don’t get the taste.” Of course, Korkorti is a man who doesn’t joke with his stomach and values the tongue that tastes food.
Yes, when I had the information that NANA BOAMAH of ARC STUDIOS, Tema, had just installed the expensive equipment, I traced my way to Community Eleven to catch a glimpse.
I was confronted by the most professional studio in town with 56 Channels of Mackie Recording Console, which won the BEST MIXER and the MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT FOR THE YEAR AWARD, 1994 in the United States.
Nana Boamah was “hoarding” what I term as every musician’s delight — the best music mixer in America. Nana himself is a man you’ll like unless you’re a devil. He is unassuming, of fine personality and a good Christian as far as I know. The only thing I don’t know is whether or not he speaks in tongues. He attributes the progress of his work to the Almighty.
Nana is an Honoury Graduate in Sound Engineering, precisely a product of the SCHOOL OF SOUND ENGINEERING in the United States. Most of his works taken by Executive Producers and artistes outside the country for compact discs and cassette printing in different studios always recommend his mixes. An example is Kwadwo Akwaboah’s latest music for Isaac Taylor’s ROOT WORLD MUSIC.
I wanted a chat. In spite of what people say of Nana Boamah’s great works, he has never really been in the news.
“Nana, why don’t you get publicity for your contributions towards the improvement of the music industry?”
“In fact, I don’t like cheap popularity or publicity,” he said. “I always want to toil and work and through my good works I can achieve my popularity or publicity without asking for it.”
“So you mean you haven’t been advertising your studio?”
“No. Since it was established in 1988, I have not even done a single advert in the newspapers.”
“So how come your studio is known to all musicians?”
“That’s why I say the good works will advertise the studio by themselves without me asking for it.”
I now wanted to know why he had gone in for the highly expensive, almost prohibitive MACKIE CONSOLE.
“It is always good to go for the best in terms of sound quality. In fact, it has taken me two years looking for a mixing console which has got all the technical qualities that any professional worth his salt should have.”
I also wanted to know the contribution the ARC STUDIO has made towards the growth of the music industry.
“In fact, coming to Arc, one does not need to hire musical instruments because the studio is well-equipped with all kinds of instruments as you can see; all kinds of guitars, drum machines, sound modules.
“We don’t hire them to our customers; they use them for free just to help them cut costs. We also provide free professional engineering services including mixing and free computer programming. We also give professional advice on production free of charge. That is our modest contribution.”
I remarked that with everything free including professional advice, the studio must be for charity. “It seems to me you are also a shareholder in the music industry.”
“Well, I am not a shareholder. I’m only trying to help up-and-coming musicians. Who knows whether one day, Ghana will produce another Michael Jackson? If we don’t encourage them with these free services, their talents will never come to light. Arc Studio is really for the people. We have to sacrifice for the people.”
“You say your studio has the biggest or largest tracks. What do you mean by that?”
Nana Boamah explained that tracks and channels are determined by the number of inputs and outputs that a mixer or recorder can take and come out at a given time. “At the moment, the mixer I’m using takes 68 inputs and during mix-down doubles up to 124 channels.”
Yes, Dr Mensah, a resident of the USA, has this to say of Nana Boamah’s work: “After wasting our time to get the best, we decided to compare our works with what you recorded on the date you sent to us, and saw that your mix was the best and we had to drop ours.”
Well, the music industry is being patronised by many young musicians and gospel singers. It goes without saying we need to improve the quality of the works to enable them become exportable commodities. The time is now.
So hail that day a Michael Jackson will be born in Sikaman and we shall have no problem making it BIG just like the Yanks made Michael Jackson big by their technical and moral support.
This article was first published on Saturday, December 17, 1997.
Mental health has become a pressing concern globally, with a significant increase in mental health issues affecting individuals, families, and communities worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in four people will experience a mental health disorder each year, highlighting the need for awareness, support, and action.
The rise of mental health issues
The prevalence of mental health issues has been steadily increasing over the years, with various factors contributing to this trend. Some of the key drivers include:
Stress and anxiety: The fast-paced nature of modern life, coupled with increasing expectations and pressures, has led to a rise in stress and anxiety levels.
Social media: The proliferation of social media has created unrealistic expectations, cyberbullying, and social comparison, exacerbating mental health issues.
Trauma and adversity: Experiencing trauma, abuse, or adversity can have long-lasting effects on mental health, increasing the risk of developing mental health disorders.
Lack of access to mental health services: Inadequate mental health resources, stigma, and lack of awareness can prevent individuals from seeking help, worsening mental health issues.
Lethal repercussions
The consequences of mental health issues can be severe and even lethal. Some of the most alarming repercussions include:
Suicide: Mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Substance abuse: Mental health issues can lead to substance abuse as individuals may turn to substances as a coping mechanism.
Violence and aggression: Untreated mental health issues can increase the risk of violent behaviour, posing a threat to oneself and others.
Physical health consequences: Mental health issues can have physical health consequences, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and compromised immune systems.
The impact on society
The rise of mental health issues has significant implications for society, including:
Economic burden: Mental health issues can result in significant economic costs, including lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and social services.
Social relationships: Mental health issues can strain social relationships, leading to social isolation and decreased quality of life.
Community impact: Mental health issues can affect community cohesion, safety, and overall well-being.
Breaking the silence
To address the rise of mental health issues, it is essential to:
Raise awareness: Educate individuals about mental health, reducing stigma and promoting understanding.
Increase access to mental health services: Provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality mental health services, including counselling, therapy, and support groups.
Foster supportive environments: Create supportive environments that promote mental well-being, such as workplaces, schools, and communities.
Encourage self-care: Promote self-care practices, such as mindfulness, exercise, and social connection, to maintain good mental health.
Conclusion
The high rise of mental health issues globally is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention and action.
By understanding the causes and consequences of mental health issues, we can work towards creating a supportive environment that promotes mental well-being. It is essential to break the silence surrounding mental health, increase access to mental health services, and foster a culture of understanding and empathy.
Together, we can mitigate the lethal repercussions of mental health issues and promote a healthier, more compassionate society.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPSON
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
“Sir,” Ms. Odame said when David Asante answered the call,
“My name is Victoria Odame. I’m a teacher at Research School in Koforidua. I would like to come and see you concerning a student called Sarah.”
“Okay, madam. I would be very glad to meet you. How can I make your trip easier?”
“I was going to join a bus to Accra.”
“Here’s what we will do. Take a taxi and ask them to bring you to Accra. I will speak to the driver, give him the directions, and pay him when you get here.”
The taxi stopped in front of the house. The gate opened, and the driver moved to the long driveway and stopped.
“What a beautiful house!” he said.
David and Adoma came out to meet them. Adoma paid the driver as David and Sarah stared at each other.
“Please come in and sit down,” Adoma invited. She served them water.
“You are welcome,” Adoma continued. “We have been waiting anxiously since you called this morning. So please, let’s hear you.”
Before she could open her mouth, Sarah rose, moved to David, hugged him, and sat on his lap. They both broke into tears. Adoma and Ms. Odame also shed tears.
“Sorry madam,” David said. “This whole episode has been very difficult. But let’s do the proper thing. Let’s hear you first, and I will also speak. I’m sure we need to answer some questions immediately.”
“Okay sir. I have been taking an interest in Sarah because, although she’s brilliant academically, she seemed troubled. Following my discussions with her and some whispers I had been hearing, I went to Aboso Senior High School and spoke to your former colleague, Mr. Hanson. He told me that you were an exemplary teacher who was loved by all, and he also told me about the unfortunate events that caused you to leave for Germany. So I returned to Koforidua with the view to finding the appropriate means of helping to solve this problem.”
“Great. Ms. Odame, I have to thank you for finally helping us to solve this problem. Now, let me state the facts. This is what happened.”
“Gladys and I met and got married while we were both teachers in the school. Some months into our marriage, she told me that she needed to spend some days with her parents, and I agreed. It turned out that she was actually spending time in a hotel with her ex-boyfriend, Simon. This happened again, after Sarah was born. I got wind of this, and told her that I was no longer interested in the marriage.
I started preparing to travel to Germany. She pleaded for forgiveness, but I stood my ground. Then she told me that she would punish me for rejecting her. She came out later to say that Sarah was not my child, but Simon’s. She went and hid her somewhere, obviously expecting that I would fight to take my child. I was actually going to do that, but my parents advised me that it was almost impossible to win such a fight.
They advised that, difficult as it sounded, I should leave the child with her because she would come back to me eventually. I have absolutely no problem taking care of you, Sarah. I am taking care of quite a number of kids who are not mine. So that is what happened. My hands were tied. I have been trying to find out how you are doing. I kept hearing that you were doing well at school. I also heard that Gladys and her husband were having problems, but I kept hoping that my daughter would at least be okay till it was possible for me to go for her.”
“Sarah, now you have met your dad. You will be free to—”
“I’m not going anywhere!” she declared as she held on to him.
“You don’t have to worry about that, Sarah,” Adoma said. “We have been looking forward to the day you come home. This is your home. Now, you have to meet your siblings.”
She called Abrefi and Adaawa.
“Girls, we told you that you have a sister who would join us anytime. Now here she is.”
“Sarah?” Abrefi asked.
“Yes,” Adoma replied.
The girls hugged her and took her away.
“Now,” David said, “I think it is time to call Madam Gladys.” He dialed the number.
“My name is David Asante. I’m here in my house with my daughter Sarah. I hear you have told her all sorts of crazy stories about me. I could make life very difficult for you, but I won’t. You are your own worst enemy. I don’t think you should be expecting her anytime soon. What do you say?”
Gladys stayed silent for over a minute, and then cut the line.
“Food is ready,” Adoma announced.
“Everybody please come to the table.”
Sarah chatted excitedly with her siblings as Adoma and David chatted with Ms. Odame. She kept staring at her father.
“Now, Ms. Odame, after you have brought such joy into our home, should we allow you to go back to Koforidua today, or should we wait till we are ready to release you? I could call your husband and ask permission. And please don’t tell me you didn’t bring anything for an overnight stay. There are several supermarkets around here. We can fix that problem quickly.”
“I will beg you to release me. Now that I have been so warmly welcomed here, I already feel part of this home. Koforidua is not that far away, so I will visit often.”
“Well, let’s see what the kids have to say. Ladies, shall I release Ms. Odame to go back to Koforidua?”
“No!” They shouted, and all broke into laughter.
“Ms. Odame, I will have mercy on you. But we are going to do something to make it easy for you to visit us. My wife wants to show you something. Please follow her.”
Adoma led her to the driveway as the others followed. They stopped in front of the car.
“This is a Toyota Corolla 1600. It is very reliable, and good on petrol consumption. We are giving this to you in appreciation of your help in getting our daughter back to us. And here in this envelope is a little contribution to help you with maintenance. And here in this other envelope is a gift to help with your children’s school fees.”
As she stood, stunned, and stared from the car to the envelopes, David put his hand around his family.
“Let’s leave her to take a look at her car. Ms. Odame, one of my drivers will drive you to Koforidua and leave your car with you. We are waiting inside.”
BY EKOW DE HEER
