Valerie Sawyerr writes - Ebony ‘Diamond In The Rough’

Dr Valerie Sawyerr, former Deputy Chief of Staff in the past National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, has eulogised the late Ebony describing her as a strong advocate for women.

In the latter, which is part of an article titled ‘Bird of the Night, Part 2’, Dr Sawyerr stated: “Ebony on my mind! Diamond in the rough! It is true that I do not support nudity, but I watched this girl with interest because I knew that with time and direction she would be a strong advocate for women and youth issues. After all, most men salivate at her sight, so they are likely to listen to her lyrics."

“I was vindicated when she came out with Maame Hwε - a song against domestic violence. She made her point crisp and clear against brutality in the domestic setting”.

Ebony, born Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng died with two others around 11:45 PM at Nyame Bekyere near Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South District of the Ashanti Region on Thursday, February 8.

According to police report, on reaching a section of the road between Nyamebekyere and Nsuta, there was a heap of sand in the lane of Ebony’s Jeep, and her driver, in trying to avoid running into the sand, swerved onto the opposite lane and grazed the near side portion of a VIP bus.

The Jeep then plunged into the railings at the edge of the road, killing the music star as well as Francisca Nkansah Kuri, aged 27 years; and Lance Corporal Vondee Francis Atsu, aged 29 years.

Ahead of the burial slated for 17 March 2018, Dr Sawyerr has commiserated with the family and prayed that the ‘Kupe’ hit singer rests in peace.

Valerie Sawyerr

Below is Dr Sawyerr’s statement on Ebony:

Ebony on my mind! Diamond in the rough! It is true that I do not support nudity, but I watched this girl with interest because I knew that with time and direction she would be a strong advocate for women and youth issues. After all, most men salivate at her sight, so they are likely to listen to her lyrics.

I was vindicated when she came out with Maame Hwε - a song against domestic violence. She made her point crisp and clear against brutality in the domestic setting.

I love the mid-tempo rhythm of her song ‘Sponsor’. I thought she brilliantly exposed both sides of the coin – a young lady may need a financial liaison to survive even if he is ‘over-age’ but the downside of this is loneliness at night because he is probably married, and his ‘sisi will yεε him ya’ (lower back pains) because he lacks sufficient virility.

In my mind the scenario was clear - it is for the woman to choose what she wants - a man she will work together with to succeed financially, have his company at night and enjoy his sexual prowess, or a man who would lavish her with financial goodies, leave her lonely at night and be a burden in bed.
And when she released the song ‘Bε di mi dwa’, most minds turned only to the sexual pun on ‘bε di mi … dwa’, and failed to pick up the social commentary on how hard times had become and how the wares of market women were not being patronised. I heard recently some market women were holding prayer sessions during work hours at the market praying for God to send them customers … Nana Addo eeeeeee!!!!

A step at a time, I used to say, as we prayed for God’s guidance for her. Then we woke up to the shocking news of her death. Then started all kinds of noises in the media about hell fire and brimstone. I shook my head in sadness. Some casting aspersions on the dead … others using her death to attract fame for themselves. Exploiting with one hand as they vilified with the other?

My goodness! I can only say – he/she who does not have sin, please cast the first stone. Silence? I know we will wait till eternity for any legitimate stone to be cast, as we continue to sing her song:

“See I’m nothing … nothing … without you Lord
From the bottomless pit you raised me up
See all the bad things I dey do … you still dey bless me
Meda wuase oooooo … Nana Onyame eeeee”.

Rest in peace Ebony …