In 2003, Okyeame Kwame returned from the United States of America after working there for some years. Okyeame Kwame, born Kwame Nsiah Appau, was one of the most sought after musicians in Ghana, after releasing a series of hit albums with the hiplife group Akyeame, before leaving for the United States.
Life in the US was very difficult for Okyeame, who had to wash plates and do other menial jobs to make ends meet. However, a miracle happened which saw him packing for Ghana.
Speaking in an interview on #SaturdayLive with Kojo Akoto Boateng, Okyeame Kwame recounted how God spoke to him when he was going through hardship to return to Ghana.
According to the ace musician, the family member he was living with in the US had issues with her husband so she’d not drive him to work. This compelled him to walk from home to the bus station under extreme cold conditions.
On his way to work, he stopped under a bridge and wept.
“I prayed to God and asked God what I had done wrong [because I was going through hardships]. Why are you punishing me like this? I could hear God speak clearly and he said ‘you are fool’. I heard it in twi.”
According to him, God told him he had given him everything to succeed but he, Kwame, was not being smart.
“God said you want to be a musician. You have become the top hiplife musician in Ghana. You have won awards, played at the Apollo Theatre, what are you doing in America washing dishes? Go home.”
Okyeame then returned to Ghana with just $1000, a plan and some musical equipment he had bought from the United States. He reconnected with all the musicians he knew and started to prepare for his first solo album.
Okyeame Kwame has since released four albums and won numerous awards, including the MOGO Artiste of the year and the VGMA Artiste of the year.
Some interesting tweets from #SaturdayLive
I became artiste of the year when I was in school. Don’t drop out of school – @OkyeameKwameBra #saturdaylive w/ @KojoAB
— Citi Showbiz (@CitiShowbiz) August 22, 2015
I came to Ghana with $1000 and a plan. I worked 3 years to get this money – @OkyeameKwameBra #saturdaylive w/ @KojoAB
— Citi Showbiz (@CitiShowbiz) August 22, 2015
Where we are now is not because we are better than others; we are fortunate – @OkyeameKwameBra #saturdaylive w/ @KojoAB — Citi Showbiz (@CitiShowbiz) August 22, 2015
My profiler says I am a sanguine compulsive. – @OkyeameKwameBra w/ @KojoAB #saturdaylive — Citi Showbiz (@CitiShowbiz) August 22, 2015
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By: Kojo Akoto Boateng/citifmonline.com/Ghana