Gifted songwriter and highlife musician, Ofori Amponsah, now preparing for his first 24 Night concert, has given a cool “no contest” response to Nana Quame’s challenge to a one-on-one live band showdown.
Last week, appearing on a GTV’s Showbiz magazine programme, Nana Quame taunted Ofori Amponsah: “If you want to know who is better, put the two of us on a stage and give us a live band.
“If he beats me, I’m gonna quit music. I’m not bluffing; I respect him but he’s no better than I am”, Nana Quame said.
But Ofori Amponsah has declined the unusual challenge. Speaking through a spokesperson last Monday, he said that he will not allow himself to be drawn into a fight. “Everybody has his talent”, he said. “If Nana Quame thinks he’s best at live performance I’m happy for the talent God has given him. He should be thankful to God for that and not to flaunt it in unnecessary contests”.
Ofori Amponsah said that he considers himself as a learner, and not a master. “I am learning all the time and I have even learnt something good from Nana Quame’s challenge. If he says I’m not a good performer, well enough, I’m going to improve upon that. Tell me, can one person be good in everything he does?
“My last word is that if there is anyone who has any doubts about my ability to pull off a good live performance, I invite that person to my December 24 Night show to see things for himself.
The Ghana Rocks withOfori Amponsah and friends show has been described as a celebration of local Ghanaian music and encouragement for the continuous performance and production of live band music.
According to Anitabel Asante of Charterhouse, Event Manager of the programme, “Charterhouse has joined hands with one of Ghana’s most promising young Highlife musicians, Ofori Amponsah to firmly establish this annual show. The show is going to be an annual Christmas show which is designed to be the ultimate platform for all successful Ghanaian musicians to perform with a live band”.
She said the show, sponsored by OneTouch, will feature a number of local artistes such as Kofi B, Shasha Marley, Daasebre Gyamena, Kwaw Kesse, and coming all the way from La Cote d’Ivoire is Jeff Bogolobogo to perform his popular “Hei, Alhaji”.