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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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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
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Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
