The mortal remains of the renowned highlife musician, Kojo Aquai was laid to rest at Osu Cemetery in Accra on Saturday after a burial service at the National Theatre.
Mr. Aquai, who was a composer, arranger, a producer and a studio owner died at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on July 16 2007.
He was an active member of the Ghana Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (GHASCAP) and the Coalition of Concerned Copyright Advocates (COCA).
He was credited with hit songs such as ‘Anadwofai and Mese saa nso mentse sa.’
A tribute read on the behalf of the family by Kwesi Kumah, a member stated that Aquai was a man who showed drive, imagination and positive thinking in all his endeavours and it was a delight and pleasure to be in his company.
He said since infancy, the deceased showed a great deal of interest in music and it just a delight to watch him sing.
“The love of his chosen profession was so infectious that it was a joy for those of us who were with him during the creative years of his life,” he said.
He said he was an approachable person and was always prepared to engage younger artistes without disdain.
In a tribute read by his only child, Moudupe Aquai, she recounted some of the memorable moments she shared with the father such as playing the piano together and teaching her to read before entering kindergarten and primary school.
She said independence and self-reliance were other characteristics that her dad thought her.
“If I wanted to know the meaning of a word, I could not expect him to tell me, I had to look it up myself,” she said.
Moudupe said her late father thought her to appreciate varieties of music and was glad that he loved the work he did.
Carlos Sakyi, the Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Entertainment, in a tribute read on behalf of Aquai’s friends said he was a man who was much concerned about the plights of Ghanaian musicians and agitated for a proper system to be put in place in order to address all the problems that they faced in the country.
He said musically Aquai was in a class of his own; a perfectionist who found delight in the musical works that he created.
According Mr. Sakyi, the late Aquai was a true friend and a trusted friend and would pay attention to anyone who would approach him with a problem without been judgmental.
“His ability to empathize was amazing,” he said.
Pastor Alfred Lamptey of Saint Barnabas Anglican Church, Osu said advised all friends and family members of the deceased to take heart and look up to God to carry them through these difficult moments.
He called on the congregation to know that death is part of life on earth and also the beginning of a new life.
“Man should know that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new life,” the pastor said.
