Africa and Ghana’s music legend Maestro Kojo Antwi has met world music icon Stevie Wonder at La Beach Hotel in Accra.
The then-US musical icon was granted Ghanaian citizenship by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his 74th birthday on Monday.
The President handed the multiple Grammy winner a certificate at a ceremony at the Jubilee House where he was also presented with a birthday cake with a Ghanaian flag iced on top.
Kojo Antwi’s visit was to consolidate the bond he had with Wonder after persistently mentioning him in numerous interviews as one of the best musicians and songwriters on the planet.
The Maestro, in a post on his social media, stated: “Yesterday was a BIG day for Stevie Wonder”.
“The great musician who has written some of the greatest lyrics and songs for the world. Words can’t describe how talented and blessed God made you,” Mr Music Man added.
“I have mentioned you in most of my interviews. You are the greatest”.
Kojo Antwi could not hide how proud and happy he was for Stevie Wonder to now be a Ghanaian.
“I can proudly say you’re a true African now, a Ghanaian. My senior brother. God bless you.”
Later in an interview with Onua TV, the Maestro said “this is the second time I am meeting Stevie. I met him first in Golden Tulip but this time around it was very very important because it was a big day for him and being a big day for him means whatever happens to him is a symbol to all the African-Americans in the US”.
“He coming to Ghana will create a lot of chances for all of us in a way. He being made a Ghanaian and be presented with certificate will create a lot of chances for African musicians in total.”
The Maestro added that “he being in Ghana, listening to our music and mingling with us will also help the Africa music industry, not just the Ghanaian industry”.
The Music man recalled a collaboration Stevie Wonder “made with a guy called Djavan Caetano Viana who is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist”.
“He has also written songs for the Third World, Try Jah Love and he has done a lot of production around and I see that light shining on Africa,” Kojo Antwi added.
“This is a symbol not just for Ghana, it is for Africa”.
The superstar was born and bred in the US state of Michigan but has long had an affinity for Ghana.
In 1975, with a string of hit albums behind him, Wonder openly expressed a desire to quit music and move to Ghana.
He believed his ancestral lineage could be traced to Ghana.
On a later trip to Ghana, Wonder wrote the entirety of his album Conversation Peace and in an interview just three years ago, the star said he was moving to Ghana in order to escape racial injustice in the US.
Wonder’s love affair with the country was ignited by the people he met whilst there.
By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|onuaonline.com|Ghana
