Veteran musician appeals for honour from the presidency

Kumasi, Aug. 26, GNA - A veteran musician and composer, Mr Isaac Kwesi Anin, has appealed to the Office of the Presidency to recognise the contributions of old musicians and honour them accordingly.

He said even though President John Agyekum Kufuor did well by honouring some musicians in the recent national awards ceremony, some old musicians, who had made enormous sacrifices to the music industry, were left out.

Osenkafoo Kwesi Anin, as he is affectionately called, and who made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Monday, mentioned a number of popular songs he had composed and sang for the enjoyment of many Ghanaians as well as using his music to champion national course.

Some of them were "Israel Akwantuo", "Mebroni ya bra", "Mehia Mpaebo" and others which he said were very popular hits in the 1970s. He also composed and sang the "Anifa anifa. naanen" for the "operation keep right" policy of the Acheampong regime in 1974. Backed by his Cutlass Dance Band, which was formed in 1972, Osenkafo Anin had also trained many musicians and composers including K.K Kabobo, Comfort Anoh and others.

According to him, old musicians had done a lot for Ghana and they also deserved to be given national honours, adding that recognition and support were very important, especially in their old age. Osekafo Anin, who is also a herbalist, has 13 Long Plates (LP) records. He teamed up with Kofi Ani Johnson's Parrots Dance Band and came out with the popular "M'adamfo Pa Beko" and "Shira Kua Adwumah" in the 1970s.

He also played for the Ghana Police Band and recorded songs for the A.K Badu and Esibons Records in the 1970s. According to Osenkafo Anin, his latest album "Nyame Beba" would soon be on the market.