When many physically challenged persons use their predicament to beg and solicit for monies from the general public, some among them are determined to make life better for themselves through their own effort doing genuine work.
Among the latter group is Timothy Attipoe, a former amateur flyweight boxing champion who became totally blind in May 1975 but refused to allow that to hinder him in anyway.
Now a musician with an album to his credit, he has called on Ghanaians from all walks of life to be honest. And to reinforce, his call, he has composed a song titled Honesty which he performed to applause from staff of Showbiz and its sister paper Graphic Sports when he visited.
Attipoe says he will be happy to perform for the President and members of Parliament so that they will in turn recommend the music to be played appropriately daily on radio and television to sensitise people on the need for honesty.
Timothy has come a long way from when he decided to go to the Akropong School for the Blind in 1976 to 1979 to learn Braille, typewriting and basketry to improve his lot.
Traveling to Lagos, he performed with top Nigerian musicians to eke out a living for himself. Before going to Nigerian, he had singing stints with the Ramblers Dance Band and others so becoming a singer with some of the top dance bands there was a matter of course.
He performed with Victor Olaiya on Saturdays at his Stadium Hotel. Performances at the Federal Palace Hotel in Sundays and the Eko Hotel in the nights made him a very popular musician.
A friend, Fowel gave him an old guitar which Victor Olaiya sent to his music store to be repaired. Braimah, a Ghanaian friend formerly with the Ghana Navy, taught him a few chords to enable him back his singing with the guitar and that is what Attipoe has depended on ever since.
Attipoe, who also has a cultural troupe, says he performs for school children in selected schools during their worship period.
He is given a honorarium by the schools. According to him, he is following the footsteps of Stevie Wonder who despite his eye problem is one of the greatest musicians in the world.
?Unfortunately? in Ghana, it is difficult to get a producer to assist people like me so I have to do what I can on my own?
Attipoe is grateful to Major (Rtd) Amarkai Amarteifio, Mr Gbedemah of GPRTU and Togbe Anagbo and numerous others for their support to him.
?Please tell them I want them to listen to my song on honesty, it is very important and also that I have many songs that can be recorded if I get a producer?.
When many physically challenged persons use their predicament to beg and solicit for monies from the general public, some among them are determined to make life better for themselves through their own effort doing genuine work.
Among the latter group is Timothy Attipoe, a former amateur flyweight boxing champion who became totally blind in May 1975 but refused to allow that to hinder him in anyway.
Now a musician with an album to his credit, he has called on Ghanaians from all walks of life to be honest. And to reinforce, his call, he has composed a song titled Honesty which he performed to applause from staff of Showbiz and its sister paper Graphic Sports when he visited.
Attipoe says he will be happy to perform for the President and members of Parliament so that they will in turn recommend the music to be played appropriately daily on radio and television to sensitise people on the need for honesty.
Timothy has come a long way from when he decided to go to the Akropong School for the Blind in 1976 to 1979 to learn Braille, typewriting and basketry to improve his lot.
Traveling to Lagos, he performed with top Nigerian musicians to eke out a living for himself. Before going to Nigerian, he had singing stints with the Ramblers Dance Band and others so becoming a singer with some of the top dance bands there was a matter of course.
He performed with Victor Olaiya on Saturdays at his Stadium Hotel. Performances at the Federal Palace Hotel in Sundays and the Eko Hotel in the nights made him a very popular musician.
A friend, Fowel gave him an old guitar which Victor Olaiya sent to his music store to be repaired. Braimah, a Ghanaian friend formerly with the Ghana Navy, taught him a few chords to enable him back his singing with the guitar and that is what Attipoe has depended on ever since.
Attipoe, who also has a cultural troupe, says he performs for school children in selected schools during their worship period.
He is given a honorarium by the schools. According to him, he is following the footsteps of Stevie Wonder who despite his eye problem is one of the greatest musicians in the world.
?Unfortunately? in Ghana, it is difficult to get a producer to assist people like me so I have to do what I can on my own?
Attipoe is grateful to Major (Rtd) Amarkai Amarteifio, Mr Gbedemah of GPRTU and Togbe Anagbo and numerous others for their support to him.
?Please tell them I want them to listen to my song on honesty, it is very important and also that I have many songs that can be recorded if I get a producer?.
