...Sounds on da ground and seens on the see-ins

The other day some friends (Ghanaian and Nigerian) and I were having a regular conversation that followed after watching a regular Nollywood movie. The conversation turned to discussing other things; African music, high school boarding house experiences, education systems, studying for PhDs and hurrying up Masters degrees, gold diggers, wastemen, etc. Eventually, we ended up talking about African leaders, politics and what we needed to do as Africans to develop. The latter issues have been on my mind a lot lately. The emergence of Obama has caused me to think even more about the issue of leadership. It has me dreaming of Kwame Nkrumah. At this point in Africa's lives, it needs visionary leaders, inspirational figures, uniting heads, iron men, super men, super heroes. Who will save us? Wanlov da Kuborlor thinks a 'Supa Chompia' will, and even describes his super powers in his song of the same title.

...Sounds on da ground and seens on the see-ins

I just got back to Uncle Sam's Abode last weekend. It was a long flight. As usual, I had wanted to extend my stay. In fact, I had overstayed my welcome. I met a Facebook friend and made a new friend as well. I had this burning desire to talk to this friend I made because I overheard him say he went to IPS (the one near Legon). Hey, maybe I just wanted to speak Pidgin with somebody. After talking to him for awhile, I realised Asumasi was on the Green Card path and heading towards the land of milk and honey. His IPS education was on hold. Almost seconds later, Wanlov da Kuborlor's Green Card song came to mind.

...Sounds on da ground and seens on the see-ins

Home is where I find the most peace but all is not peaceful. News broadcasts in Ghana are as common as every top of the hour. I have known Ghanaian news broadcasts to provide good news; hospital building commissionings, speech and prize giving days, and price increases. Call it boring if yu may please but once in a while we have news to 'tickle' you. My friends in Bawku have some 'tickling' news to report, some of their friends have taken to the streets and have left in their wake some dead bodies. "If my brother dey struggle for Kenya, I be Kenyan oh" - Wanlov sang about it, but if my brother is suffering in Kenya, I feel the ripples, I feel the pain. It could happen in my backyard, Bawku is not exactly my backyard, but it is.

In Ghana - talking about issues, ideas and not people

...Sounds on da ground and seens on the see-ins

I can't tell you how happy I feel to be in Ghana. Yes, it is home, but it is where I find the most peace. When there is a boring moment, I am thinking. When there is a sad moment, I am thinking. When there is a happy moment, I am not thanking anyone, because it is just routine when I am in Ghana. I must be selling Ghana to you and it's no secret why I may be doing so at this particular time, with the African Cup of Nations underway in Ghana in just over two weeks, every inch of Ghana is being sold. On the back of Ghana's golden jubilee, Ghana wants as many people to be in Ghana. Wanlov is no different.

Wanlov aka One love aka Odo Baako aka Sumo ekome is a Ghanaian musician. The son of Ghanaian father and Romanian mother, he wouldn't strike you as Ghanaian on first glance. You will find it difficult to place him under one genre - he's that good. Wanlov had been stationed in the US for awhile now and just returned to Ghana late last year. He had spent the most of his time abroad making singles, touring the US and performing. I vividly remember him doing a show in a college in Connecticut and then performing in California the next weekend. 'In Ghana' is one of the tracks on his debut release, Green card' which is out now. 'In Ghana' gained popularity in late 2006 after Ghana's debut at the World Cup, it was one of the songs promoting Ghana. Read the lyrics and it's easy to see why, the Ministry of Tourism must hear this one.