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The Okine family dazzles gospel world with soothing music
Mr Patrick Richard Okine is an experienced professional with varied interests, but his appetite for music and poetry seems to outweigh the rest.
Apart from writing poems of local and international appeal, he has composed and recorded a number of songs, releasing his debut album in the early 90s.
He went on a long break but has returned to the scene; this time around, with his wife and four children as backing vocalists on an Extended Play (EP) dubbed: ‘Afore’ (sacrifice).
The Media and Communications Lead at the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) recently interacted with The Spectator touching on his life and career, musical journey and the prospects of the new family music group.
He says formation of the group “is an expression of a strong desire to serve God, touch and bless lives through the God-given musical talents of his family.”
Recordings
Tracing his passion for music and art to his ‘sixth form’ days at Accra High School, Mr Okine said he used to write plays and songs for a campus theatre group known as the ‘Live Youth’.
“We had drama, poetry, cultural and contemporary music section and through this, I came out with my first cassette album titled ‘Mama’ in 1994, which was a major hit,” he recalled.
In 1995, he travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) after completing secondary and tertiary education to pursue other professional interests and returned to Ghana in 2009 to set up his own media consultancy.
Although he had recorded other albums during the sojourn, the gospel artiste had wanted to retire from music but decided to form the group considering the creativity and unique potentials of his wife and children.
Group
In December 2017, Mr Okine recorded an album titled: ‘Gratification or His Sanctification’ with backing vocals by his wife and four children. Following this release, he maintained the group which he now calls the “Patrick Richard Okine and Family Music Ministry.”
The musical group comprises Mrs Roberta Okine, Head of the Music Department at International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) Eagles Temple, Gbawe, and children: Duke, Marianne, Zimran, and Henrietta.
Duke is a Pastor set to release his own songs soon. Marianne is a graduate of the University of Professional Studies (UPS), while Zimran and Henrietta are both graduates of University of Ghana.
The ‘Afore’ EP was released in February 2021, with two other tracks titled ‘How Excellent Is Thy Name’ and ‘Majie Eyi’ (I’ll Praise Him). The music video, released in October 2021, continues to receive good feedback on YouTube and other music streaming platforms.
Prospects
Expressing confidence in his new studio project, Mr Okine said the family would continue to release impactful songs as long as they were accepted in the music industry.
“We are recording ‘Aseda’ a mid-tempo track to be released in collaboration with ICGC Eagles Temple Choir. The fact that we have our music on international streaming platforms is an indication that we want our music to go international.
“We have already had requests from some churches in the US and UK to minister anytime we visit and I think the future looks promising as God pours his blessings on us,” he said.
Challenges
He identifies difficulty in getting recording deals and lack of capital for promoting music as a major setback to young and old music talents in the country.
“Music is a precarious industry where you can come out with a song with the best voice and instrumentation but it will not go far.
“Lot of talents have to manage their own music when they bring it out. Even the older ones are falling out because they cannot be their own managers and produce the music at the same time,” he said.
Education
Mr Okine attended Wesley Grammar School for his Ordinary Level (O-level) and continued at Accra High School from 1983-1985 for his Advanced Level.
He has a certificate in Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing and Master of Arts Degree in Development Communication from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
He completed Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 1990 with Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Art and English (minor).
Awards/recognition
While at KNUST in 1989, he won gold in three categories when he joined the National Squad of Dramatists to represent Ghana at the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in Pyongyang, North Korea, and received also an Honourary Creativity in Literature Award.
In 1991, he composed and recorded the official anthem of the KNUST University Hall (Katanga) when he was the Entertainment Chair.
In 2015, Mr Okine, co-wrote, sang and coordinated the production of the song ‘Be the Voice’ (Oh say yeah) when IDEG nominated musicians including, Okyeame Kwame, Amandzeba, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, among others, as African Union Campaign Ambassadors.
In 2016 and 2020, he recited the poems ‘Toy Soldier’ and ‘Love Ghana’ respectively at Peace Pact Ceremonies in Accra where presidential candidates of various political parties pledged their commitment to peace before, during and after the general election.
Other Engagement
Mr Okine is a trained broadcast journalist and has written poems and plays for Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) radio and television, where he was exposed to the rudiments of broadcast journalism.
He has written two books titled: ‘Deep Thoughts from Within’ and ’Fruits of a Harvest’ — a collection of poems he had recited and performed on radio from 1983 to 2010.”
As an Elocution Expert, he holds workshops for Radio and TV presenters in correct pronunciation of English words and has contributed articles to local and international journals.
He advises young artistes to produce timeless music, be mindful of lyrics and take advice from professionals in the industry.
By Ernest Nutsugah
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
