“Yes, I have nine children and I am proud of it - I am an African and this forms part of the expression of my African heritage”.

Surprised? Probably yes, but the above statement was recently made on an independent radio station in Accra by the Ghanaian rhythm sensation Amandzeba Nat Brew.

Sitting before me at the leafy environs of the W.E.B. Dubois Centre in Accra, Amandzeba exudes an uncanny combination of maturity, self confidence, perception and an aura of an African traditionalist.

I had finally located him after a long search and wanted him to tell me more about his tremendous fatherhood. “I am born again in the real African sense - I am simply trying to adhere to the principles, ordinances and culture of my ancestors”, he says as a gentle breeze sways the branches and leaves of the numerous trees that adorn the Dubois Centre.

“I have managed to free myself from the enslavement by our colonial masters.I do not believe we have a population crises - to the contrary, I think we are under populated owing to the abundant resources available for exploitation”, he continues.

He however sounds a note of caution that Africans who decide to have several children must have the capacity to cater for them since traditional societies laid much emphasis on it adding that men who could not take care of their families had very low esteem.

He believes that some aspects of the African rich cultural heritage have been deliberately misapplied and misconstrued thus making them appear archaic, barbaric, inhuman and inconsistent with modern day societies.

Continuing his defence of large families, Amandzeba cited the examples of India and China where he claimed high population has not affected their development and march towards achieving the status of developed countries.

“Sankofa is a great philosophy - I therefore urge my fellow Africans to return to their roots. Africans should be in constant touch with nature - indeed, Ghana did not have environmental problems when we were all buying cooked waakye and rice on leaves, which was friendly to the environment”, he adds.

Amandzeba also recognises the potential of music in the fight to empower the African to appreciate his roots. Consequently, he has used his talent in music to compose a number of songs that promote the African heritage.

Apart from numerous live performances in Ghana and overseas, he has released five albums that are characterised by the use of indigenous rhythms from Ghana and other African countries.

These are Ama, Money, Kpanlogo Yede, Kpanlogo Fever, Demara and Lolo Juju.Whatever may be fueling him, the real Amandzeba will somehow remain a mystery to those outside his African philosophy.

Nevertheless, it was refreshing to be part of his world, albeit for a short while. Are more children on the way? Your guess is as good as mine.