Entertainment
Former First Lady reviews ‘Love Locked Down’ books by Okyeame Kwame and wife
Kwame and Annica, a celebrity couple, have found love, they have found how to keep their marriage working as well as how to keep their home functional.
They tell their story with the hope that some couples would find something in the books to help them and that single men and women looking for love would also find some answers to the questions they struggle with in their relationships.
There are two books and each book is in two parts. On the title page of each part is an Adinkra symbol with the name and meaning under it. The meanings of the main Adinkra symbols used on the title pages of the various parts bear significance to the topics treated in those parts.
Underneath the main symbol, are four other Adinkra symbols – these do not have the names and meanings.
The books are straightforward narrations with each section flowing nicely into the next. The narration is done by each of them telling their love story from their point of view and understanding. They tell it as it is, with no holding back whatsoever – that is the “glue” that keeps the reader stuck and wanting to read more. The clarity with which Kwame and Annica’s views on the various topics are presented adds to the desire to continue reading.
Kwame and Annica take us into their marriage and share with us some of their experiences as well as their individual points of view on critical issues in making a love relationship work. We read about the things that have held their marriage together and how they navigate through the public attention celebrities are subjected to.
Love locked down will grab your attention – you will be informed, educated, inspired and encouraged. You will get a lot of ideas on how to keep your love locked down from the two books.
A REVIEW
Love Locked Down: Finding a lasting love relationship.
This book is in two parts:
Part I: Finding someone to love.
It has the Adinkra symbol, “Akoma” (Heart).
The meaning of the symbol is, “Patience and tolerance” – both virtues needed to find someone to love.
Part II: Before you say, “I do”
It has the Adinkra symbol, “Me ware wo” (I shall marry you).
The meaning of the symbol is, “Commitment and perseverance” – both are virtues useful and necessary to have before you say, “I do.”
It is the story of how Kwame and Annica met just before they got married. They tell readers about falling in love and working one’s way to getting married. In this book you will read about how they met, their dating and courtship periods as well as some of the conversations they had through those times.
We are made to enter their lives and experience their relationship as we read how the alignment of their core values played a vital role in their relationship – they share plenty of experiences with us that prove the point.
Kwame and Annica make it clear how they have been intentional in the things that help their relationship to thrive and blossom: knowing what they each want in the relationship, working through their goals, making sacrifices for each other, talking through issues and respecting each other.
In talking about love, intimacy and sex, Kwame and Annica are frank, truthful and honest in letting us know how they feel and even where they have divergent views that let us into their thinking and reasoning.
The message from the book is: fall in love with your best friend and work through it for a lasting relationship.
Readers have a bonus of worksheets at the end of the book that they can go through to help understand the topics and get to know themselves better.
Love locked down: Finding a lasting love relationship, is a must read. It will put you on the journey to finding love if you have not found love. For those who have found love it will help you to work at it and make it last.
A REVIEW
Love locked down: Maintaining a lasting love relationship.
This book is in two parts following from where the first book, Love locked down: Finding a lasting love relationship ends.
Part III: Getting married and starting out.
It has the Adinkra symbol, “Odo nnyira fie kwan” (Love never loses its way home).
The meaning of the symbol is, “The power of love” – you need love right from the beginning of marriage.
Part IV: Staying married and staying together.
It has the Adinkra symbol, “Boa me na me boa wo” (Help me and let me help you).
The meaning of the symbol is, “Cooperation and interdependence” – these are vital ingredients for staying married and staying together.
This is the story of how to marry and stay married – the story of Kwame marrying his best friend, Annica, staying in love and staying married. It is a simple straightforward narration of Kwame and Annica’s love story.
Kwame and Annica share thought provoking ideas on keeping things hot with romance, sex and intimacy, managing money, managing third parties, leaving a legacy and celebrating one another. We are allowed into their thoughts as well as their home, where we sometimes find ourselves in their bedroom.
The conversations they have on various topics are crucial and interesting as well as educative and entertaining. These would be great eye openers to couples who do not communicate well on issues.
There is no doubt that the commitment, transparency and communication that Kwame and Annica invested in their relationship and in each other is what keeps their marriage working.
For those who think a lasting love relationship is all about being lucky, hear Kwame. “Getting to this point has taken a tremendous effort to be devoted and considerate to each other and has very little to do with luck.”
By the time you are through reading the book, you will know and agree that love language, body language and verbal language are all necessary for maintaining a lasting love relationship.
There are worksheets at the end of the book to help you work through some of the topics they talk about and also help you assess yourselves.
You also get a bonus – Kwame and Annica have added 42 Adinkra symbols related to love, their names and their meanings at the end of the book.
If you have read Love locked down: Finding a lasting love relationship, then you have to read Love locked down: Maintaining a lasting love relationship to make your experience whole and complete.
Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur,
Wife of the former Vice President,
Retired Professional Librarian,
Philanthropist,
Author.
The Blood Crew, a Ghanaian contemporary gospel music group based in Kumasi, celebrated its 10th anniversary in ministry with a special cake-cutting ceremony during the Grace Concert held at Gracefields Chapel, Havlah Temple, Ahodwo.
The celebration formed part of the group’s annual live recording event, ‘The Blood Effect’, which brought together thousands of worshippers, gospel music lovers, ministers, and invited guests for an unforgettable night of worship and live music recording.
The anniversary cake was officially cut by the Founder and Music Director of the group, David Nana Bonsu, popularly known as Nana Quophi, together with Rev. Simon Ampofo, shortly after the first session of live recordings featuring newly composed songs and selected old compilations.
The ceremony was witnessed by alumni members, current team members, invited gospel artistes, instrumentalists, management, and worshippers who gathered to celebrate the milestone achievement of the ministry.
The occasion marked 10 years of The Blood Crew’s contribution to gospel music ministry, worship, fellowship, evangelism, mentorship, and youth impact through music.
Members of the group used the opportunity to reflect on their journey over the years and expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the ministry and helping them remain impactful.
The event featured ministrations from UK-based Ghanaian gospel artiste Emmanuel Gyamfi, Pastor Edwin Dadson, Team Eternity Ghana, Manuel Tuffour, Joshua Ahenkorah, and Yefter Nkansah.
The group described the anniversary celebration as a moment of thanksgiving, reflection, and renewed commitment to continue impacting lives through gospel music and worship ministry.
Over the years, The Blood Crew’s annual ‘The Blood Effect’ live recording event has grown into a recognized platform for worship, spiritual impact, and gospel music ministry in Kumasi and beyond.
This year’s edition uniquely combined live recordings with the group’s 10th anniversary celebration, making it one of the most memorable editions since the ministry began.
By Spectator Reporter
Contrary to the belief that winning an award elevates an actor to an almost ‘godlike’ status, Ghanaian actor Melvin Dain holds a different view.
According to him, accolades were important, but they do not define the true essence of an actor.
Speaking ahead of the Ghana Movie Awards scheduled for tomorrow, Dain emphasised that awards should be seen as recognition rather than a measure of ultimate worth.
“I don’t think awards define who an actor is; however, I believe they provide recognition and validate an actor’s performances in the industry,” he said.
The actor has been nominated in two categories; Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Discovery Actor of the Year, a milestone he describes as both encouraging and humbling.
“Being recognised at this stage means a lot to me. It tells me that the work I’m putting in is being seen, and that alone is encouraging,” he noted.
Reflecting on his journey, Dain said the nominations have offered him the opportunity to appreciate his growth in the industry.
“It reminds me of where I’m coming from and how far I’ve come. It also gives me more reason to keep pushing, to keep learning and to keep growing as an actor,” he added.
Despite the recognition, the actor remains grounded, acknowledging the stiff competition in both categories.
He described his chances of winning as evenly balanced, given the calibre of nominees.
“Looking at the names on the list, I will say it’s a 50/50 chance. Some of these people are my idols, and just being in the same category with them is a humbling moment for me,” he said.
He added, “the nominations represent more than just a shot at winning; they affirm my rise in the industry and reinforces my commitment to excellence.”
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
