Ghanaian great C.K Mann passes on

Born Charles Kofi Amankwaa Mann in Cape Coast, Ghana, he sang some well-known songs in Ghana, including ‘Adwoa Yankey’, ‘Medo Wo’, ‘Araba Lucy’, ‘Mber Papa’ and ‘Wode a Ne Me’.

Mann was a member of several bands including the Kakaiku band and Ocean Strings and The Carousel 7. His breakthrough came in 1969 with the song ‘Edina Benya’. The song attracted his compatriots enough for Mann to become a popular figure entering into the seventies. His last album, Wope Nyeho, was released in 2013.

Mann is credited with bringing osode, the music of Ghana’s fishermen, to the mainstream. He is said to have altered the instrumentation, adding guitars, bass and the organ to the traditional claps and its call and response style.

As a member of Carousel 7, Mann got another Ghanaian great Papa Yankson into the band. Incidentally, the two men passed on within months of each other, as Papa Yankson died in July last year.

Mann lived long enough to be rewarded by the Ghanaian government for his contribution to the culture scene. Twelve years ago, he was awarded the Grand Medal of Ghana during the 2006 National Honours and Awards Ceremony. Two years ago, a selection of Ghanaian artists feted the highlife man's 80th year at the popular +233 Jazz and Grill venue. A staff of the venue said, "The man stands tall as far as popular music in this country is concerned and he deserves to be celebrated."

Last year, it was reported that C.K Mann was among a group of five veteran artists promised a monthly pension of GHC 5 000 ($1100) by Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong at the Musicians Union of Ghana's Presidential Grand Ball. Agyapong later said the amount promised was GHC 1000 for each artist.

Expressing grief at Mann's passing, MUSIGA vice president Bessa Simons who played with the deceased artist said: “C.K. Mann's attitude towards work was an inspiration. He was always found teaching, motivating and encouraging. He made sure those who are around him always preserve the roots of Ghanaian highlife music. He encouraged a whole lot of Ghanaian young musicians to understand what Ghana music is.”

A few years ago, it was rumoured that Mann had died. His family later cleared the air, saying, "We want to state emphatically that C. K. Mann, like any 78-year person, is sick from any common sickness that affect older people and not a terrible disease".

This report has been updated