Profile
Rev Fr Col MDK Kumesi (rtd) achieves two childhood dream
Though children dream of practising preferred professions in future, this is often not possible in many instances. However, Rev Fr Col. Matthias Dismas Kwame Kumesi (rtd), a Catholic Priest and former Military Chaplain of the Ghana Armed Forces has been able to attain his childhood dreams of becoming a Catholic Priest and a Military Officer. 
Recalling his early life as a tiny school boy at Baglo in the Oti Region of Ghana, he set out his plans to become a Catholic Priest to follow the footsteps of his maternal uncle, the late Rev Fr Anastasius Dogli, the first Black African Catholic Priest in West Africa who was ordained on July 22, 1922.
According to him, the lifestyle of Rev Fr Dogli inspired him to the extent that his greatest desire was to also become a Catholic priest no matter the obstacles.
Additionally, his encounter with soldiers who served in the Second World War and later came on operation in his region, gave him the urge to study hard to become a military officer as an alternative profession should the first choice fail.
After his priestly ordination in June 1962, he was posted to Ho and later to Jasikan. In January 1965, while still serving at Jasikan, Bishop Anthony Konnins, the then Catholic Bishop of Keta – Ho Diocese informed him that he had been nominated for further studies in France slated for September 1965.
However, when Bishop Anthony Konnins visited the parish at Jasikan to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation, he told him that the original plan had changed and that he would no longer go to France but to be enlisted in the military.
When asked how he got selected to enlist in the Ghana Armed Forces (GFA), he said the GAF made a formal request to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference to nominate a chaplain to serve in the army.
He said the Archbishop of Cape Coast, John Kodwo Amissah who was the President of the Ghana Bishops’ Conference at the time and his former lecturer at the St Peter’s Regional Seminary, Cape Coast, knew him very well so the Archbishop , handpicked him to fill the vacant position.
Rev Fr Col Kumesi explained that Archbishop Amissah then asked Bishop Anthony Konnins to release him to enlist in the military which he complied, thus fulfilling his second childhood dream of becoming a military officer.
He said he was the first military chaplain to be commissioned in 1966 into the Ghana Armed Forces in 1966 and his batch was the last to be commissioned by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the Republic of Ghana, before his overthrow.
He explained that the chaplains who were his predecessors had no formal military training. Rather, they were brought in and given the uniform to function as chaplains.
After his commission, he was posted to the 6th Battalion of Infantry, Takoradi, where he served under the late General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, the then Commanding Officer of 6BN, who later became the Head of State of Ghana.
Infancy/Education
Rev Fr Col MDK Kumesi was born on October 31, 1933, at Baglo in the Oti Region to Mr Akute Kumesi, a traditional priest and Madam Agnes Mawuwor. However, his father was baptised when he fell sick before he died.
Due to few schools in those days, his parents arranged for him to stay with the late Mr Gabriel Ekudi, a teacher at Lolobi to enable him to attend Standards One and Two in 1942.
In 1947, Mr Gabriel Ekudi was transferred to Likpe Mate and little Kumesi had to continue Standards Three, Four and Five there.
He once again had to move to Hohoe Roman Catholic School in 1950 to continue with Standards Six and Seven.
He entered the St Teresa’s Minor Seminary at Amisano in 1956 to study Philosophy and through to St Peter’s Regional Seminary at Pedu, all in Cape Coast with his mates as the pioneer students.
Training
Commenting on the training of young priests these days, he said things have changed because at their time the Rector read the letters of all seminarians and those who received letters written by their girlfriends were given outright dismissal from the seminary.
Col Kumesi retired from the military on March 20 1989 and was posted to Tetema where he spent 10 years shepherding the flock.
He was again posted to Baglo his hometown where he spent another 10 years before he was finally retired as a priest.
Though retired as a priest, he still says mass at St Ann Catholic Church, one of the outstations of St Theresa Catholic Church, at Ntwanta.
By Raymond Kyekye
In a music landscape often defined by trends and tempo, George Nii Odai Oliver widely known as DJ Rev stands out as a man on a mission.
More than just a DJ, he is a minister, mentor, and youth advocate who has found a unique calling at the intersection of sound and spirituality.
Beyond the decks, DJ Rev is a devoted husband and a committed servant of God.
His life is anchored in purpose, with a deep passion for youth development. As the Technical Director at Christ for Youth International (CYI), a global youth ministry, he plays a significant role in shaping young lives, not only through words but also through music.
His journey in ministry began early, including his role as a founding member of the Ambassadors Christian Rap Group, where he first explored the power of music as a tool for transformation.
The name ‘DJ Rev’ derived from ‘Reverend,’ reflects both his spiritual identity and his mission to ignite atmospheres much like revving an engine with high-energy gospel music.
For him, every performance goes beyond entertainment; it becomes a moment of worship, revival, and connection with God.
His journey into DJing started from a fascination with music and technology during his younger years in Ghana.
Drawn to the ability of DJs to influence mood and unite people, he identified a gap in the Christian music space, which was someone who could seamlessly blend urban sounds with gospel messages. Starting from small church events and youth programmes, DJ Rev gradually honed his craft into what he now describes as a full-fledged calling.
Like many success stories, his path was not without challenges; he had limited access to equipment, skepticism about gospel DJing, and the difficulty of balancing ministry with performance all tested his resolve.
Yet, through persistence, faith, and support from mentors and the Christian community, he rose above these obstacles. Borrowing equipment, learning on the job, and staying grounded in prayer became part of his journey.
A defining moment in his career came when he realised that DJing was more than a passion; it was ministry.
Witnessing lives being transformed during his sets, seeing people move from dancing into deep worship, and watching young talents he mentored flourish affirmed his purpose.
DJ Rev’s style is best described as high-energy, spirit-led, and versatile. He effortlessly blends hip-hop, Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and urban gospel into seamless mixes that resonate with diverse audiences.
His signature approach is what he enthusiastically calls ‘Energyyyy! saying it is not just about hype, but about creating moments that touch both body and soul.
What sets him apart in Ghana’s DJ industry is his unwavering commitment to ministry-first performances. While many DJs focus solely on entertainment, DJ Rev uses his platform to create spaces where faith and music coexist powerfully. His technical expertise, drawn from his role in ministry, combined with his passion for mentorship, gives him a distinctive edge.
Over the years, he has witnessed significant growth in Ghana’s DJ industry, with increased recognition, technological advancement, and global influences such as Amapiano shaping the soundscape.
Notably, he has contributed to pushing gospel music into mainstream spaces, particularly through his popular Amapiano Gospel mixes.
Among his most memorable performances are events like Oasis Gathering, Sound Fest, and Saved to Serve platforms where music transcended performance into powerful spiritual encounters.
“These are moments that define success, lives touched, hearts uplifted, and faith renewed,” DJ Rev stated
Away from the spotlight, he embraces a quieter, more reflective life. He enjoys spending time with family, mentoring young people, engaging in ministry work, and pursuing simple hobbies like gardening and DIY projects.
For him, a perfect day off includes moments of prayer, meaningful conversations, and peaceful retreats, often in serene locations like Cape Coast or the Volta Region.
Despite his achievements, DJ Rev remains grounded. He acknowledges the challenges he has faced, ranging from limited resources to balancing ministry and career, but credits his resilience to faith, community support, and a clear sense of purpose.
These experiences have taught him invaluable lessons about perseverance, humility, and authenticity.
Looking ahead, DJ Rev aims to expand his ministry through music both locally and internationally, release more projects, mentor emerging talents, and further establish gospel DJ culture in Ghana. His ultimate desire is to be remembered as a pioneer who brought revival through music, blending excellence with unashamed faith.
To young aspiring DJs, his message is clear: master your craft, stay consistent, build character, and never lose sight of your purpose.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Amb. Prince Kojo-Hilton’s international mission signals new era for creative industry development
Between October 2025 and April 2026, a significant creative industry mission unfolded across Brazil, led by Ghanaian visual artist, production designer, and Pan-African Art Ambassador, Prince Kojo-Hilton.
What began as an invitation to contribute to creative education quickly evolved into a far-reaching engagement spanning academic institutions, government bodies, global platforms, and community initiatives.
More than a professional visit, the mission positioned itself as a structured intervention aimed at addressing one of the most pressing gaps within the global creative sector, the disconnect between education and industry practice.
At the centre of this engagement was a clear focus on capacity building. Working with the Zion School of Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro, Kojo-Hilton delivered a masterclass in Art Direction and Scenic Design during Zion Creative Week.
The immediate impact of the session prompted an expansion of the masterclass programme into a broader, multi-campus engagement, extending its reach to a wide network of students and emerging professionals.
His approach departed from traditional classroom instruction. Instead of theory-driven lectures, participants were introduced to practical, industry-based processes, including visual storytelling systems, production design methodologies, and the professional discipline required to operate within global creative industries.
The result was a shift in how students engaged with their craft, moving from passive learning to active, experience-driven development.
Beyond academic institutions, the mission extended into diplomatic and governmental spaces. At the Ghana Embassy in Brazil in Brasília, Kojo-Hilton engaged in strategic discussions with Ghana’s Ambassador to Brazil, Nii Amasah Namoale.
The discussions centered on long-term collaboration between Ghana and Brazil within the creative arts sector, with a focus on education, exchange programmess, and institutional partnerships.
This engagement progressed further at the National Congress of Brazil, where he was introduced to policymakers and cultural leaders, including Brazil’s Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes.
His presence and work were formally acknowledged, reflecting growing recognition of the role creative professionals can play in national development and cultural diplomacy.
On the global stage, Kojo-Hilton represented Ghana at the World Forum of Favelas 2025, where his contributions to creative community development were recognised with an international award.
The forum provided a platform to present models that integrate art, education, and social impact, reinforcing the value of structured creative initiatives in community transformation.
A key outcome of the mission was the international expansion of the Film Craft Expo, an initiative founded by Kojo-Hilton to explore the art, science, and business of film-making and theatre.
Interest from multiple countries has positioned the platform as a potential global model for creative industry engagement, bridging the gap between emerging talent and professional practice.
Academic collaborations also formed a critical component of the mission.
At the University of Brasília, discussions explored interdisciplinary opportunities connecting art, science, and environmental innovation. Additional engagements with institutions such as Casa das Artes de Laranjeiras focused on curriculum development, artist residencies, and production-based training systems designed to better prepare students for industry demands.
While institutional engagement remained central, the mission maintained a strong connection to community impact. Workshops conducted in local communities, including Maricá, emphasised the role of art as a tool for empowerment, identity formation, and social transformation.
A significant part of his engagement in Maricá included a cultural and social contribution through the donation of a painting to the House of Immigrants.
The artwork serves as a permanent symbolic gesture of identity, resilience, and shared human experience, reflecting his commitment to using art as a tool for cultural connection and community memory within the city.
Participation in cultural events such as Rio Carnival further highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage while positioning it within a global context.
One of the most forward-looking outcomes of the mission is the development of the Global Visual Arts for Screen and Stage initiative.
The platform is designed to integrate visual arts, film, theatre, fashion, and technology into a unified system that supports training, collaboration, and industry growth.
By addressing fragmentation within the creative sector, the initiative aims to create sustainable pathways for employment, innovation, and institutional development.
Across all engagements, a consistent message emerged, the global creative industry is evolving, and there is an increasing demand for structured, experience-driven education.
Institutions are no longer seeking inspiration alone; they are seeking systems that can translate creativity into measurable economic and social impact.
Following six months of sustained engagement across Brazil, the results are evident. New partnerships are being explored, institutions are opening pathways for collaboration, and there is growing recognition of the role creative industries can play in national and international development.
The mission has not only strengthened cultural and creative ties between Ghana and Brazil, but has also positioned Kojo-Hilton within a broader global conversation on the future of creative industry development.
As he continues to expand his work across continents, he remains open to collaboration with universities, film schools, theatre institutions, visual arts institutions, cultural organizations, and governments seeking to invest in structured creative growth.
He also facilitated a focused workshop on Talent Discovery and Nurturing with immigrants, centered on identifying hidden creative potential and providing practical guidance for personal and professional development.
The session emphasised empowerment through creativity, encouraging participants to recognise their abilities and explore new pathways within the creative industries.
Together, these contributions reinforced his broader mission of using art not only as a professional practice but as a meaningful instrument for inclusion, transformation, and social impact.
In reflection, he expresses profound gratitude to God for the opportunity to undertake this journey and for the grace that made every step possible. From Ghana to Brazil and back, he acknowledges the divine protection, guidance, and favour that ensured safe travels and the mission’s successful execution.
The experience stands not only as a professional milestone but also as a testament to the power of faith, dedication, and purpose.
His guiding philosophy remains clear and unwavering, saying “The only thing that I am a slave to is my passion.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
