I recently went back to Accra to see what has become Monday Groove. To my surprise, it has evolved into something big. Monday Groove now features live band led by the Freedom Band. They play beautiful reggae and highlife tunes. 

If you are in Accra on a Monday between 6-8pm and you want a place to relax, head towards Freedom Centre/Insight Newspaper. 

We started it small... thanks guys for holding the flag strong

Night of Tribute to Glen Ghanababa Warren

On December 14, 2011, news broke that our comrade and friend Glen Ghanababa Warren had passed on.

In the spirit of camaraderie the monday groove on 16thJan, hosted a night of tribute for Glenn which brought some of his friends and close family relatives around including about 6 media houses that interested in covering the event.

It was night of humble appreciation for what Glen stood for, his music and lifestyle.  

Having known him as close pal, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, shared interesting stories about his friendship with Glen as he hosted the night's event.

Kwesi Pratt jnr. Paying tribute to his late friend Glenn Ghanababa Warren, who died on 13thDec2011, the son of Kofi Ghanaba,the inventor of Afro-jazz.

Glen was born to a father, Kofi Ghanaba, who was revolutionary by all standards and a great friend of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Founder of the Republic of Ghana.

Milena from the Cuban Embassy attended the night of tribute 

Kofi Ghanaba believed that Africa music and musical instruments were not inferior to those produced in the West and set out on a mission to put traditional African music on the same pedestal.

Revolutionary poet, Nii Lante Okunka [also known as Haya Faya] pouring libation at the night of tribute in remembrance of Glen Ghanababa

He introduced African drums and flute instruments into traditional Western jazz music and by the time of his death had become one of the worlds's most accomplished African jazz musicians.

Glen learnt at the feet of the great Ghanaba and started his musical carrier at primary school. At the tender age of 12, Glen could play more than 10 different drums at the same time. Below is a video of Glen playing together with his father, Kofi Ghanaba.

At the Adisadel College in Cape Coast he became a founding member of the first student band in Ghana.

Glen payed with musical giants such as Fela Ransome Kuti, Elton John, Hugh Masekela and Kool and the Gang.

He passionately believed in taking African music to the dizzy heights of world stardom.

Yenmre reads Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

Yenmre [our time:twi language] also known as Rehema Bah is an African-American from Oakland who is currently undertaking her independent studies at the University of Ghana. She joined us at the last session and decided to share a favourite passage from Lawrence Hill's book 'Someone Knows my Name' .

Nii Lante on Drums

So last Monday our comrade Nii Lante, aka Higher Fire, decided to do a little performance with his drum. Have a feel of it. Please enjoy....

To the tune

Democracy shall surely be our dance

To the tune of Ghana's bloody past

Lyrics written with the pain and pride

The toils and oft freedom forever cries

And this call to hope, we never deride

The battle-line drawn and the trigger pulled

All poli-tricksters should take their guard

Against the Kokromoti-esm thumb combat



Ghana is the honey, just no money

Oh yes! but in the poli-tricksters pocket

I find the key to the golden symphony

The chord never played on stage

So now, we know how to dance

Even when the music is so baaaaad...



By: Ezekiel A. Johnson

In response to Nana Frema Busia's poem “Ghana sweet oo”

My Ekua

By Brother Biko
Two most beautiful women in the world
My one and only ekua and the rest
Two most beautiful women ever made
My lovely ekua is the very best
Ekua never passed thru varsity
But she holds an enviable love degree
Ekua is bright smart conscious courteous
She care less about church yet she’s righteous

Ekua is neither rude nor arrogant
She’s responsible not extravagant
Ekua is sweet sweeter than berries
She’s mindful of her thank yous and sorrys
Ekua knows why she has ears and a mouth
She don’t let me say enough is enough
I don’t have a cause to fear or doubt her
We belong to each other she’s aware

Ekua is her own standard of beauty
She don’t covet an European identity
A beauty in the truest sense of the word
Not the type to let a man lose his head
Ekua never wears perm wig lipstick
She don’t respond to pig tags like bitch chick
Ekua knows her rights and also her limits
No matter what we shall not call it quits

For ekua my heart always sings a song
A d ay without her is like a year long
Better to spend time away from my life
Than spend days away from my future wife
Whenever she’s talking I am all ears
Her voice kills my pains and towels my tears
I am not complete without my ekua
I need her today next and forever