Entertainment
Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame dead
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-14-at-5.36.10-PM-742x600.jpeg&description=Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame dead', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-14-at-5.36.10-PM-742x600.jpeg&description=Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame dead', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Veteran Ghanaian Musician, Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame is reported dead
Ghanaian musician and saxophonist Teddy Osei, a founding member of the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died at 88 in London on January 14, 2025.
Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), who at a point played alongside the band disclosed that the legendary musician breathed his last on Tuesday morning, January 14, 2025.
Born in December 1937 in Kumasi, Osei was pivotal in the band’s formation in 1969 after studying music in London. His impact on music is celebrated.
He is one of the founding members of this Afro-Caribbean band that rocked the world with their amazing quality.
Through their ingenuity, they projected Ghana’s name through music and their awe-inspiring performances across the world.
In 1969, he founded Osibisa along with several other musicians. The band remained popular through the 1970s, before experiencing a decline, although it continues to perform today.
While at college, he attempted to put together a band along with some of his friends. According to Osei, he only began to play the saxophone because the person who had volunteered for that instrument did not attend the practices. He continued to teach himself the saxophone, listening to records of jazz musicians and playing along with the music.
After beginning work as an inspector, he created a semi-professional band along with his brother and some friends.
The band was known as the Comets, and became successful in Ghana, recording with Philips West Africa and playing for a radio show. Their music was inspired by ‘Highlife’, a genre derived from a fusion of European and African influences.
In 1962 Osei travelled to London, leaving the Comets behind. Having spent his money on travel, he lived with some friends in London, and worked as a dish-washer for a year.
He then applied for and received a grant from the Ghanaian government, which allowed him to attend a private music and drama school for three years.
However, his grant was terminated after Nkrumah was deposed in 1966. Osei teamed up with several other students who had also lost their positions and began to play soul music at various venues across Europe.
The group acquired a following in Switzerland, and named themselves Cat’s Paw. At this stage its members included Sol Amarfio and Osei’s brother Mac Tontoh, both future members of Osibisa. However, the group eventually returned to the UK, looking for a more permanent financial situation.
It was a night of intellect, eloquence and culture as contestants of the 2026 Miss Tourism Ghana took centre stage at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel for the Debate and Culture Night last Saturday.
The event, which forms part of activities leading up to the grand finale, saw the ladies move beyond beauty to battle with ideas, facts and opinions on a topic critical to the tourism industry.
The contestants debated the topic: The Importance of Traditional and Digital Media on Promotion of Tourism.
For the debate, the contestants were grouped into two teams of four, each tasked with defending a side of the argument.
It was a fierce but respectful exchange. The team arguing for traditional media described it as the trust builder, emphasising its credibility, mass reach, and its power to tell in-depth, emotional stories through television documentaries, radio and newspaper features.
They argued that traditional media still shapes public opinion and influences policy decisions in the tourism sector.
On the other side, the proponents of digital media raised salient points about its unmatched advantages in the modern era.
They highlighted its global reach at low cost, its two-way interaction that allows tourists to share real experiences and reviews, its ability to target specific audiences, and its measurable results where clicks, views and bookings can be tracked.
After heated arguments and rebuttals, both teams arrived at a powerful consensus that drew applause from the audience.
They concluded that without traditional media, tourism promotion lacks credibility and depth, and without digital media, it lacks reach, engagement and sales.
The judges and patrons agreed that the debate underscored a crucial lesson for Ghana’s tourism drive: for a country blessed with rich cultural heritage, colourful festivals, historic forts and castles, diverse wildlife and pristine beaches, the winning formula lies in combining the storytelling power of traditional media with the viral power of digital media to attract both domestic and international tourists.
The night was not only about debate, as the contestants also dazzled in cultural wear, showcasing the beauty and diversity of Ghanaian culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Veteran Ghanaian Actress Grace Nortey has reportedly passed away on Wednesday August 26, 2026.
According to reports she passed away at University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) at age 89.
Born in 1937, she embarked on her acting journey in 1970, establishing herself as one of the pioneers of theatre and drama in Ghana.
Over four decades, Grace Nortey has been a consistent source of joy for Ghanaian TV audiences through her acting prowess.
A distinctive feature of Grace Nortey’s performances was her adept incorporation of the Ga language into her roles, adding an authentic touch to her portrayals.
Her acting journey kicked off with the 1985 release, “Nana Akoto,” and she went on to contribute to notable films such as “Sinking Sands,” “The Other Side of the Rich,” “Ties that Bind,” and “Beasts of No Nation,” where she shared the screen with Idris Elba, Fred Amugi, and Ama K. Abebrese.
She earned the Best Cameo Actress at the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards.
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
