Entertainment
Dwomtofohene Nana Kwame Ampadu bows out
Ghanaian music lovers were on Tuesday morning hit with sad news of the passing of one of the iconic highlife powerhouses, Nana Kwame Ampadu, affectionately called Dwomtofohene, to wit King of Musicians.
This unfortunate demise of this legend after some weeks of sickness shocked the nation as many poured out their tributes to celebrate his amazing contribution to the music industry.
Nana Ampadu was born on March 31, 1945, and passed away at age 76.
Ampadu hails from Obo, in the Kwahu area of the Eastern Region but he spent a part of his childhood a village called Adiembra.
MUSIGA
The umbrella body of musicians in the country, Musicians Union of Ghana(MUSIGA) in a release sent to The Spectator stated, “The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has learnt with regret of the passing of the legendary Nana Kwame Ampadu 1.This is huge national loss.
“As a trail blazing musician, you spawned a whole generation of musicians.
Your music was a source of inspiration, education and entertainment to many. The stories you told in your songs were veritable nuggets of wisdom and will continue to give solace to many.
“You always had a story for every occasion and every interaction with you was like an adventure into the land of wisdom.
As the current chairman of the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund (AMWeF), you were committed to the welfare of your fellow musicians and even when your health was failing, you never missed the call to duty.
Dwomtofohene, nante yie. Damirifa due.”
Music journey
Nana Kwame Ampadu was a Ghanaian musician credited with numerous popular highlife tracks. Nana Ampadu’s “African Brothers Band” was formed in 1963. he has about 800 songs to his credit.
In 1964, young Ampadu met Mr. Jerry Hansen, leader and founder of the Ramblers Dance band and cultivated his acquaintance where Ampadu gave Jerry eight songs in all for free which the Ramblers Band recorded.
Some of the songs are Ntoboase, Afutusem, Scholarship, Me Nsoromma Bepue. All these songs became hit tracks. One good turn deserves another. Mr. Jerry Hansen seeing the musical competence in Ampadu, introduced him to Phillips West Africa Ltd., a recording publishers and Ampadu was given the chance to record two single tracks for a 45 R.P.M release.
The maiden recording was done at the Ghana Film Industries Corporation (G.F.I.C) onNovember 14, 1966.
The first track recorded that day was Agyanka Dabere with Suminaso Ntonko as the flip side. This single was released on December 21, 1966.
The single album became an instant hit and served as a beginning of a new era in the guitar band sector. The thought provoking nature of the lyrics in those two title tracks, made many people feel it was some old or veteran musicians who sang these songs.
A book of condolence has been opened at the residence of Nana Ampadu.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Organiser of Ghana Music Awards (GMA)-USA has honoured Founder of Reign House Chapel, Prophet Eric Boahen Uche, for his enormous support to the music industry.
GMA-USA, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Denise Boafo, affectionately called Don, made the presentation on Sunday, October 12, at the Chapel.
Presenting the citation, Mr Boafo said Prophet Eric Boahen has been a support system for various sections of Ghana’s music ecosystem.
This, he said, has gone a long way to keep many gospel artistes in business regardless of challenges confronting the industry.
“This is in recognition of your remarkable contribution to the gospel music industry in Ghana and beyond,” he said.
He revealed that the Man of God substantially supported this year’s GMA-USA, a gesture which cannot be kept under the rug.
On his part, Prophet Eric Boahen expressed his appreciation to the organisers for the gesture.
According to him, the gesture was a motivation to him and others to continously support the cause of GMA-USA.
He charged the organisers to work assiduously to promote Ghana Music in the diaspora.
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Renowned Ghanaian music heavyweight, Empress Gifty, has dedicated her seven awards won in 2025 to President John Dramani Mahama.
The musician and her management, led by Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, together with her husband, Mr Hopeson Adorye, called on the President at the Jubilee House on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Empress Gifty, in her remarks, said the visit was to officially congratulate the President, who has been a father figure for her for many years, and also update him on successes chalked in her career.
She thanked the President for his guidance over the years and promised to even do better in the years ahead, as she prepares to release her new song for the year.
The gospel musician also appealed to President Mahama to consider building a large seating auditorium for the creative arts industry.
She appealed to the President for a 10,000 to 30,000 large seating auditorium to improve the fortunes of the creative sector when it comes to events in the country.
This, she said, would go a long way to help the sector flourish and position the country for other international events in the future.
Additionally, she urged the President to ensure the creative sector gets substantial allocation in the next budget.
The President, on his part, thanked Empress Gifty, who he calls his daughter, and the team for the visit, expressing how proud he was of her growth.
Again, he charged her to continuously work even harder for more laurels.
President Mahama pledged his commitment to the growth of the creative arts industry, adding that with regard to a large seating auditorium for the space, he has received some designs and suggestions for a convention centre which are under consideration.
According to him, once suggestions were approved and issues of funding are addressed, this would serve a multipurpose function and host many activities throughout the year.
The President further pledged his unflinching support for the creative arts sector and assured of budgetary support in the years ahead.
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