Manye Asabia, Kente Man honoured at Ngmayem 2024

The sound of applause and throbbing drums went up in volume at the forecourt of the Konor’s Palace as singer/saxophonist Manye Asabia Cropper was called to come up for the Yo Kama honour to be bestowed on her at this year’s Ngmayem festival of the chiefs and people of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area in the Eastern Region. 

Manye Asabia has received multiple accolades since the start of her professional music career in 1975. However, with her bassist brother, Kente Man, by her side, as they approached His Royal Majesty Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo, and other dignitaries at the programme, she felt overwhelmed by the whole occasion. 

Yo Kama in the Dangme language translates as ‘virtuous or exemplary woman’. The Yo Kama Award scheme was instituted by Nene Sakite II through the Yokama Foundation in 2003.

It has since then celebrated women from the Manya Krobo community who have demonstrated hard work, leadership and dedication, and distinguished themselves as role models for younger females.  

Kente Man was also acknowledged for the collaborative work with his sister in preserving and promoting African culture, especially through Highlife and traditional arts. They were praised for the lasting impact they have made across the continent and beyond.

Citation

The joint citation for them said, in part: “In the light of their outstanding achievements, the Klo Matse, Nene Sakite II, is proud to bestow upon Queen Asabia Cropper the title of Yo Kama of 2024, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to music and culture. 

“Together, she and Kente Man are named Cultural Ambassadors of the Manya Klo State. As beloved children of Manya Klo, they will represent the region’s vibrant traditions, foster cultural exchanges and promote the values of unity, pride and resilience among the people of Manya Klo and the global community.

“Their journey of excellence, creativity and commitment to cultural preservation makes them deserving of this high honour. Manya Klo celebrates their achievements and looks forward to their continued efforts in safeguarding and promoting Africa’s rich cultural legacy.” 

The duo’s work strategy has been that Kente Man writes, arranges and produces the music while Manye Asabia takes on the lead vocals.

They started playing professionally with the Tema-based Sweet Talks, moved on with the Black Hustlers and later struck out on their own.

Some of their well-known songs include Towia, Inamosi, Love You So Much and Wamaya.

The brother and sister pair has performed across the world. They have, at various times, been honoured by heads of state and presidents, such as Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Felix Houphouet Boigny and Henri Konan Bedie of Cote d’Ivoire, Jerry Rawlings of Ghana and Barrack Obama of the United States of America. 

Wa Maa Ya Dom

The 2024 Ngmayem Festival was from October 19 to October 27. It was on the theme: Homecoming: Let’s Come Back Home and Build (Wa Maa Ya Dom).’ The festival embraced a wide variety of activities, including health walks, clean-up exercises and health screenings.

There were also educational forums, canoe racing, football gala, family bazaars and church services. 

Nene Sakite II reminded all that the occasion was not just a celebration of abundant harvest but a moment to uphold the values of unity, peace and shared purpose that had been passed down from their forebears.

A proud Manye Asabia said that as a woman from Krobo Odumase, the honour done to her by the Yo Kama Foundation on October 21 made her extremely happy. According to her, the last time she felt equally fulfilled on Krobo soil was when Manye Mamle Okleyoo, a past Paramount Queen of Manya Krobo, installed her as Noyaa Manye (Queen of Development) in 1993. 

Krobo culture has, for a long time, inspired the creative ventures of Manye Asabia and her brother. A collection of Dipo songs they recorded in the early 1990s was released by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, in addition to material from other parts of Africa, under the title: African Art, African Voices.

The duo expressed delight that their people understand and appreciate the things they’ve been doing over the years to promote the unique Krobo culture to the rest of the world. 

“I thank God, Nene Sakite II, Kente Man, the Festival Organising Committee, all Krobo people and everyone who contributed in various ways to a successful 2024 Ngmayem celebration.

I also wholeheartedly congratulate Madam Francisca Nutsu of Akro Senior Technical High School and the Most Outstanding Teacher in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, who was also honoured by the Yokama Foundation at the festival,” Manye Asabia stated. 

Next year will mark 50 years since she and Kente Man started performing together. It will be a significant milestone since they are the only brother and sister team that has survived for that long in Ghanaian music. 

They have plans to put on concerts, bring out a documentary film on their musical adventures and launch a couple of other projects as part of their 50th-anniversary celebration.

Manye Asabia greatly values the Queen of Highlife title given to her in September 1984 in the Banquet Hall of the State House by the late King of Highlife, ET Mensah.

She and Kente Man stand by their conviction that Highlife is a wonderful genre of music and Ghanaians must proudly hold on to it and spread it far and wide across the globe.