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.
ALL these forms of responsibility are sustained by one central pillar: spiritual and moral discipline. Without it, knowledge becomes pride, power becomes oppression, and freedom becomes chaos.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The strong man is not the one who overcomes others by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Bukhari, Hadith 6114)
This control taqwā is the root of responsibility. Imam Al-Ghazali (1105) in Ihya Ulum al-Din wrote that the purification of the soul (tazkiyah al-nafs) is the foundation of all reform. A responsible man disciplines his desires, guards his words, and acts with sincerity, even when no one is watching.
We live in an era of temptation — social media, materialism, and moral relativism challenge our values. But men of faith must rise above these influences and remember that Allah is Al-Raqīb — the Ever-Watchful. Spiritual accountability anchors moral behaviour.
8. Emotional and psychological responsibility
Responsibility also includes taking care of one’s mental and emotional well-being. Many men suffer silently under the burden of expectation — believing that showing emotion is weakness.
Yet, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم shed tears, expressed compassion, and sought counsel.
Psychologist Aaron Beck (1976) in Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders emphasised that emotional maturity begins with self-awareness, recognising one’s feelings, and managing them constructively.
Group counselling sessions like this are essential; they help men share, heal, and grow together. No man should walk alone; strength is not isolation, but the courage to seek support. Let us normalise counselling, mentorship, and brotherhood among men. For in unity, we find healing; in shared wisdom, we find growth.
9. The five questions of accountability
The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The feet of the son of Adam shall not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about five things:
- His life — how he lived it;
- His youth — how he used it;
- His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it;
- His knowledge — how he acted upon it.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2416; also reported in al-Darimi)
This hadith captures the essence of personal accountability — the cornerstone of responsibility in Islam. It reminds every believer that every blessing carries a duty, and every stage of life demands conscious action.
Let’s break it down:
- “His life — how he lived it”
Life is a divine trust (amānah). A responsible man lives with purpose, not pleasure as his goal. He invests his time in doing good, serving others, and seeking Allah’s pleasure. - “His youth — how he used it”
Youth is the most energetic and creative phase — and thus the most accountable. As Ibn al-Qayyim noted in Madarij al-Salikin, “The strength of youth is a blessing, and blessings invite responsibility.” Men must use their youth to build character, gain knowledge, and resist destructive habits. - “His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it”
Financial integrity is a key part of manhood. Islam demands transparency, fairness, and generosity. The Qur’an warns against wastefulness: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.” (Qur’an 17:27) A responsible man earns lawfully, gives in charity, and spends wisely. - “His knowledge — how he acted upon it”
Knowledge is meaningless if not practiced. Imam Al-Ghazali wrote that knowledge without action is a burden, not a blessing. A responsible man translates his learning into character, leadership, and service.
This Hadith teaches that responsibility in Islam is total and it covers time, energy, wealth, and knowledge. It’s not only about what we achieve, but how we live, how we give, and how we grow.
10. Summary
Responsibility, therefore, is not a single act but a lifestyle — one that touches every sphere of life:
- Educational responsibility empowers us to think and serve.
- Marital and family responsibility keeps our homes strong.
- Environmental responsibility safeguards our future.
- Civic responsibility builds our nation.
- Moral and spiritual responsibility sustains our integrity.
- Emotional responsibility maintains our well-being.
A responsible man is thus an educated mind, a loving heart, a disciplined spirit, and a servant leader. He is not perfect, but he is purposeful.
11. Conclusion
My brothers, as we look toward the future, let us remember the divine reminder:
“The believers, men and women, are protectors of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Qur’an 9:71)
Our communities are counting on us — our sisters, mothers, and children look to us for leadership and example. Let us not disappoint them. When we build responsible men today, we build a Ghana that is peaceful, prosperous, and principled.
Let us be men of knowledge and humility, strength and compassion, faith and fairness. And may Allah grant us the wisdom to lead ourselves before we lead others. Āmīn.
Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katmanso Municipal Chief Imam, governance expert and certified counselor.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
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Today, I focus on Ghanaian/African migrants in Finland and their mental health. Mental health is an important subject and a huge problem in the world.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), brain health is the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural and motor domains, allowing a person to realise their full potential over the life course, irrespective of the presence or absence of disorders.
Studies have shown that maternal and paternal distress are associated with reduced linear growth of their children. I recently participated in a seminar on mental health among (African) migrants in Finland. We all wondered about the prevalence or incidence of mental illness among migrants in Finland. It will be interesting to know the statistics about mental illness among migrants in Finland.
Mental health in Finland
In Finland, studies have examined how behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress. A correlation is shown between parent and infant psychotherapy on maternal mental health and psychological functioning and children’s welfare.
There are also research and other reports of social child welfare interventions where at times children are even taken away (child removals) from the parent or parents for safe keeping.
Experts say it is important how parents plan their leaves in order to renew or rebuild their mental strength to be able to take good care of their kids.
Anyway, studies are limited about parent-child psychological distress and situations where children are taken away from their parents among minorities, such as African migrants. It will be interesting to know the figures and other aspects of mental health issues among the migrant group(s) in Finland.
Health and migrant vulnerability
Health experts point out that migrant communities can be highly vulnerable to diseases, especially certain infectious diseases. Experts say those who came to Finland as refugees or asylum seekers and their family members are often in a more vulnerable position in terms of their health (see www.thl.fi).
Research and media reports have shown in many countries that there are structural or societal/cultural factors that result in quite high rates of infection or ill-health among migrants, when compared to the majority population.
It is suggested that for example language barrier, lack of information, the nature of the work of migrants in professions where working from home is not possible (for example during the Covid-19 pandemic), not accessing healthcare, etc. can present some of the factors for migrants’ vulnerability to diseases and infections.
Childhood disadvantage
Information about the issue. Such a situation was much evidenced to reduce stress and anxiety during the coronavirus situation.
Thus, these associations and institutions become networks that create an important social capital as well as outlets for sharing and gaining information or knowledge.
Finland is committed to the integration of migrants into the Finnish society, as I keep pointing out. A number of research studies from surveys and other in-depth enquiries have shown a trend of increasing efforts to integrate African and other migrants into the Finnish society.
As the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has pointed out, health and wellbeing are an important part of integration of immigrants in Finland (see www.thl.fi).
There have been studies on whether behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress and child welfare intervention by social services. Unhealthy behaviours and their associations with subsequent sickness among Finnish young and early midlife employees have been studied.
When it comes to this subject and/or the effect of adult psychological distress on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in Finland, there is limited knowledge.
We should hope for more information to augment understandings about adult psychological distress and effect on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in order to inform policy directions.
Such studies will help to create awareness among migrants in Finland about their mental health, its effect on them and their children’s wellbeing, as well as where to seek therapy.
Migrant associations, social networks, and information
Migrants associations are already doing much to help in education on mental health and have become important points for securing. Public agencies, migrant associations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Finland have been publishing information to help educate people about their health and wellbeing.
Generally, migrant associations formally create awareness among their members and other migrants usually in collaboration with some Finnish institutions, and are thus an important tool for several migrants to be positively active and to get their interests and claims heard.
As I wrote previously, the role of migrant associations acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
By Perpetual Crentsil
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