Veteran Ghanaian Musician, Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame is reported dead

Ghanaian musician and saxophonist Teddy Osei, a founding member of the Afro-rock band Osibisa, has died at 88 in London on January 14, 2025.

Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), who at a point played alongside the band disclosed that the legendary musician breathed his last on Tuesday morning, January 14, 2025.

Born in December 1937 in Kumasi, Osei was pivotal in the band’s formation in 1969 after studying music in London. His impact on music is celebrated.
He is one of the founding members of this Afro-Caribbean band that rocked the world with their amazing quality.

Through their ingenuity, they projected Ghana’s name through music and their awe-inspiring performances across the world.

In 1969, he founded Osibisa along with several other musicians. The band remained popular through the 1970s, before experiencing a decline, although it continues to perform today.

While at college, he attempted to put together a band along with some of his friends. According to Osei, he only began to play the saxophone because the person who had volunteered for that instrument did not attend the practices. He continued to teach himself the saxophone, listening to records of jazz musicians and playing along with the music.

After beginning work as an inspector, he created a semi-professional band along with his brother and some friends.

The band was known as the Comets, and became successful in Ghana, recording with Philips West Africa and playing for a radio show. Their music was inspired by ‘Highlife’, a genre derived from a fusion of European and African influences.

In 1962 Osei travelled to London, leaving the Comets behind. Having spent his money on travel, he lived with some friends in London, and worked as a dish-washer for a year.

He then applied for and received a grant from the Ghanaian government, which allowed him to attend a private music and drama school for three years.

However, his grant was terminated after Nkrumah was deposed in 1966. Osei teamed up with several other students who had also lost their positions and began to play soul music at various venues across Europe.

The group acquired a following in Switzerland, and named themselves Cat’s Paw. At this stage its members included Sol Amarfio and Osei’s brother Mac Tontoh, both future members of Osibisa. However, the group eventually returned to the UK, looking for a more permanent financial situation.

A philanthropist has presented a brand new Renault KWID to Alhaji Yakubu Ayaana, who embarked on an extraordinary journey on foot from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region to the Greater Accra Region.

The purpose of the walk from Kumasi to Accra by the 65-year-old was to extend congratulations to President John Mahama.

The presentation ceremony took place at the Independence Square on Wednesday, January 8.

Alhaji Yakubu Ayaana was given a Renault KWID, an undisclosed amount and clothes worth GHȻ5,000 from Nineteen57 Clothing.

Speaking after handing over the items, Creative President of Nineteen57, Kofi Okyere-Darko said, a philanthropist who doesn’t want his identity disclosed was touched by Alhaji Ayaana’s walk, and therefore decided to appreciate it.

Overwhelmed by the gesture, Alhaji Yakubu Ayaana expressed appreciation for the gesture.

According to him, although, he was discouraged by people including his children on health grounds, he was optimistic that the walk was for a good cause.

He therefore thanked everyone who made his dream a reality. 

This is not the first time Alhaji Yakubu Ayaana has embarked on such a journey, during former President Jerry John Rawlings of blessed memory’s regime in the 90’s, he embarked on a walk from Ghana to Mecca.

Unfortunately, the walk was truncated in Libya due to visa issues.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme