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The Okine family dazzles gospel world with soothing music
Mr Patrick Richard Okine is an experienced professional with varied interests, but his appetite for music and poetry seems to outweigh the rest.
Apart from writing poems of local and international appeal, he has composed and recorded a number of songs, releasing his debut album in the early 90s.
He went on a long break but has returned to the scene; this time around, with his wife and four children as backing vocalists on an Extended Play (EP) dubbed: ‘Afore’ (sacrifice).
The Media and Communications Lead at the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) recently interacted with The Spectator touching on his life and career, musical journey and the prospects of the new family music group.
He says formation of the group “is an expression of a strong desire to serve God, touch and bless lives through the God-given musical talents of his family.”
Recordings
Tracing his passion for music and art to his ‘sixth form’ days at Accra High School, Mr Okine said he used to write plays and songs for a campus theatre group known as the ‘Live Youth’.
“We had drama, poetry, cultural and contemporary music section and through this, I came out with my first cassette album titled ‘Mama’ in 1994, which was a major hit,” he recalled.
In 1995, he travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) after completing secondary and tertiary education to pursue other professional interests and returned to Ghana in 2009 to set up his own media consultancy.
Although he had recorded other albums during the sojourn, the gospel artiste had wanted to retire from music but decided to form the group considering the creativity and unique potentials of his wife and children.
Group
In December 2017, Mr Okine recorded an album titled: ‘Gratification or His Sanctification’ with backing vocals by his wife and four children. Following this release, he maintained the group which he now calls the “Patrick Richard Okine and Family Music Ministry.”
The musical group comprises Mrs Roberta Okine, Head of the Music Department at International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) Eagles Temple, Gbawe, and children: Duke, Marianne, Zimran, and Henrietta.
Duke is a Pastor set to release his own songs soon. Marianne is a graduate of the University of Professional Studies (UPS), while Zimran and Henrietta are both graduates of University of Ghana.
The ‘Afore’ EP was released in February 2021, with two other tracks titled ‘How Excellent Is Thy Name’ and ‘Majie Eyi’ (I’ll Praise Him). The music video, released in October 2021, continues to receive good feedback on YouTube and other music streaming platforms.
Prospects
Expressing confidence in his new studio project, Mr Okine said the family would continue to release impactful songs as long as they were accepted in the music industry.
“We are recording ‘Aseda’ a mid-tempo track to be released in collaboration with ICGC Eagles Temple Choir. The fact that we have our music on international streaming platforms is an indication that we want our music to go international.
“We have already had requests from some churches in the US and UK to minister anytime we visit and I think the future looks promising as God pours his blessings on us,” he said.
Challenges
He identifies difficulty in getting recording deals and lack of capital for promoting music as a major setback to young and old music talents in the country.
“Music is a precarious industry where you can come out with a song with the best voice and instrumentation but it will not go far.
“Lot of talents have to manage their own music when they bring it out. Even the older ones are falling out because they cannot be their own managers and produce the music at the same time,” he said.
Education
Mr Okine attended Wesley Grammar School for his Ordinary Level (O-level) and continued at Accra High School from 1983-1985 for his Advanced Level.
He has a certificate in Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing and Master of Arts Degree in Development Communication from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
He completed Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 1990 with Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Art and English (minor).
Awards/recognition
While at KNUST in 1989, he won gold in three categories when he joined the National Squad of Dramatists to represent Ghana at the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in Pyongyang, North Korea, and received also an Honourary Creativity in Literature Award.
In 1991, he composed and recorded the official anthem of the KNUST University Hall (Katanga) when he was the Entertainment Chair.
In 2015, Mr Okine, co-wrote, sang and coordinated the production of the song ‘Be the Voice’ (Oh say yeah) when IDEG nominated musicians including, Okyeame Kwame, Amandzeba, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, among others, as African Union Campaign Ambassadors.
In 2016 and 2020, he recited the poems ‘Toy Soldier’ and ‘Love Ghana’ respectively at Peace Pact Ceremonies in Accra where presidential candidates of various political parties pledged their commitment to peace before, during and after the general election.
Other Engagement
Mr Okine is a trained broadcast journalist and has written poems and plays for Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) radio and television, where he was exposed to the rudiments of broadcast journalism.
He has written two books titled: ‘Deep Thoughts from Within’ and ’Fruits of a Harvest’ — a collection of poems he had recited and performed on radio from 1983 to 2010.”
As an Elocution Expert, he holds workshops for Radio and TV presenters in correct pronunciation of English words and has contributed articles to local and international journals.
He advises young artistes to produce timeless music, be mindful of lyrics and take advice from professionals in the industry.
By Ernest Nutsugah
The professor who spends his days exploring the intricacies of African languages found himself at the centre of a different kind of lesson on Friday, October 2, 2026. 
This time, there were no lecture notes, academic arguments or university classrooms. Instead, there was the weight of tradition, the rhythm of a community celebration and the solemnity of an oath at a royal palace.
Professor Ọbádélé Kambon, a full Professor of African Linguistics at the University of Ghana, was enstooled as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene of Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region in a ceremony that brought academia and traditional authority together.
For the professor, the occasion was more than a new title. It was a moment that connected his academic interests in African languages and indigenous knowledge with the living traditions of an Akan community.
The day’s events unfolded through a series of customary observances. Kambon was first taken to the compounds of the Ɔkyeamehene and Gyasehene, where the preparations for his installation continued.
Then came the application of hyire, the white kaolin powder associated with traditional rites.
With the customary proceedings underway, the new chief was lifted onto the shoulders of celebrants and carried along the main thoroughfare of Akuapem Mampong.
The procession transformed the streets into a public stage for a ceremony rooted in the community’s traditional institutions.
There was something striking about the image, a university professor, accustomed to the measured language of academic discourse, being carried through the town in a display of traditional recognition.
Yet the celebration was not complete with the procession.
A ram was sacrificed at the Mamponghene’s compound before Kambon was taken to the palace, to swear the oath associated with his new offices.
The ceremony brought him formally into his roles as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene.
Beyond the colourful proceedings, the titles themselves carry layers of historical meaning.
Kambon in his research explores the historical connections between Apagya and Akan political and military organisation.
Accounts cited in his work linked Apagya to an asafo, or military company, while historical writing traces an Apagya stool in Asante to the reign of Opoku Ware I in the eighteenth century.
These historical associations offer a glimpse into the institutions that have shaped Akan society over generations, although they do not automatically define the precise responsibilities of the office in Akuapem Mampong.
Kambon’s own professional life reflects a similar interest in preserving and examining African knowledge.
His work encompasses Akan language structure, naming practices across the Black world, proverbs and indigenous intellectual traditions.
Through Abibitumi, the platform he founded, he also promotes language learning, scholarship and cultural engagement.
But tradition was only one part of the story that day.
When the formal ceremony gave way to a reception, the occasion expanded into a celebration of three milestones: Kambon’s enstoolment, his promotion to full professor and his daughter Ama’s admission to the University of Ghana.
The gathering therefore carried a personal significance that went beyond the honours bestowed on one man. 
It celebrated professional advancement, the continuation of family aspirations and a connection to cultural heritage.
For a father, seeing a daughter gain admission to the same university where he holds a distinguished academic position offered another reason to celebrate.
For the professor, the moment placed family achievement alongside his own professional and traditional milestones.
Kambon had already established a place in the traditional life of Akuapem Mampɔn through an earlier installation as Banmuhene Kyidɔmhene, recorded in 2017.
His latest enstoolment adds another chapter to that relationship.
In Akuapem Mampɔn, the day brought together the university, the palace and the family table in one celebration. And for Kambon, the journey from the lecture room to the traditional procession showed how scholarship, cultural responsibility and family achievement could converge in a single memorable occasion.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Intercity STC Coaches Limited has interdicted a driver captured in a viral video allegedly hitting a Sprinter bus during an overtaking manoeuvre at Pokuase before driving away from the scene.
In a public notice, the company described the driver’s conduct as unacceptable, stressing that it did not reflect the safety standards and professionalism it upholds.
Management said it had commenced an immediate investigation into the incident and identified the driver, who has been interdicted pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.
The company added that it was awaiting an official report from the Pokuase Police Command to help establish the facts surrounding the incident.
STC reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and responsible road use, while thanking members of the public for bringing the incident to its attention.
Management assured the public that appropriate action would be taken following the investigation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
