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0 Legendary Ghanaian musician, Kojo Antwi, on Wednesday, December 24, delivered an unforgettable musical experience at his much-anticipated concert dubbed ‘Antwified’, held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The Christmas Eve concert was marked by a dramatic and regal opening as Kojo Antwi made his entry onto the stage in a palanquin, drawing loud cheers from an excited audience that filled the venue.
Speaking to Joy News after the show, the highlife icon revealed that the grand entry was not something he had initially planned.
“I actually didn’t have anything in mind about how I wanted to enter the stage for this concert,” he said.
“But as the day drew closer, we were able to come up with something, and I’m glad we did. Looking at the reaction from the audience, you could tell they were really excited,” he continued.
The Maestro admitted that although preparations came with their fair share of challenges, his decades of experience in the music industry have equipped him to rise above difficulties.
“I’ve been doing this for many years, so challenges don’t overcome me. As a legend who has been in the industry for a long time, you learn how to deal with them and move on,” he noted.
One of the highlights of the night was the musician’s endurance on stage, as he performed for several hours, thrilling fans with a catalogue of old and new songs.
Asked how he was able to sustain such energy despite his age, Kojo Antwi attributed it to God and years of consistency in live performance.
“First of all, I thank God. And also, I’ve been performing for a long time, so standing on stage for hours is not really a big deal for me,” he highlighted.
The celebrated musician also expressed gratitude to fans and dignitaries who graced the occasion, describing their presence as something he does not take lightly.
Among those present were former President John Agyekum Kufuor, former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, and several other notable personalities.
“Seeing the crowd, seeing how happy the people were, and even seeing dignitaries present, these are things I don’t take for granted. I’m very grateful to everyone who came to support,” he emphasised.
When asked what fans should expect next, Kojo Antwi disclosed that he is set to release a book on February 13, which will chronicle his life and journey in music.
Meanwhile, Ohene Antwi, Kojo Antwi’s son, who was also part of the planning team, explained that the idea behind the grand entry was carefully coordinated to reflect the musician’s legendary status.
He said the team worked closely together to ensure the entry was executed flawlessly, adding that the crowd’s warm reception made the effort worthwhile.
The night also saw stellar performances from Bettina Bonsu, Keche, Ohene Kissi, Mr Drew, KiDi and Bisa Kdei, all of whom kept the crowd on their feet with electrifying sets.
Also speaking to Joy News, Ghanaian highlife musician, Ohene Kissi, used the opportunity to call on the government to give more support to the music industry.
“In other countries, the industry is well accepted and supported, but here the story is different. Government support will go a long way to help musicians thrive,” he said.
Several patrons who spoke to Joy News described the concert as refreshing and nostalgic, praising Kojo Antwi for remaining relevant and consistently serving audiences with what they described as “timeless music.”
The Antwified concert once again affirmed Kojo Antwi’s enduring influence and status as one of Ghana’s most respected musical legends.
