Why Special Prosecutor quoted Daddy Lumba’s ‘Ankwanoma’ in his speech

Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng

In an emotional turn of events following his speech that officially declared former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng sought to explain the daunting nature of his task in a ‘special’ way.

During a question-and-answer session with journalists, while sharing his observations about the looming ‘doom’ following his declaration, Kissi Agyabeng invoked the lyrics of Daddy Lumba‘s popular song ‘Ankwanoma’.

He quoted the line: “Ankwanoma me me kra b) af)re o. Mey3 nea metumi bea. Memr3 so a na me k)”, which translates to:

“I’m a lonely bird. I have sacrificed my soul to do my best. I’ll do what I can, and when my time is up, I will go.”

Kissi Agyabeng further expressed that although there are difficult times ahead, he will remain committed to his oath and endure the hardships required to fulfill his duties.

“There is doom looming ahead of us, where a murderer will soon walk into court seeking an injunction. Should I feel frustrated and resign? I took an oath when I was sworn in. And in my life, when I commit to something, I do it,” he added.

He emphasised that his main goal in accepting this ‘high-stakes responsibility’ is to change the narrative around corruption before he leaves office.

“My aim is that when my tenure ends, the conversation around corruption will shift like a paradigm,” he said.

“I am a lonely bird. I have sacrificed my soul to do my best. When my time is up, I will go” – SP Kissi Agyabeng, Circa 2023 pic.twitter.com/nfeOXwEHTr

— roland walker👣 (@rowalkerghana) February 12, 2025

Daddy Lumba’s ‘Ankwanoma’; a classic and relatable hit that many have adopted over the years

In 2022, popular music streaming platform Boomplay listed Daddy Lumba’s ‘Ankwanoma’ as one of the songs that Ghanaians cannot stop listening to.

Released on February 12, 1990, ‘Ankwanoma’ has remained a timeless highlife classic still widely cherished in Ghana today.

Numerous contemporary musicians have created their own versions of the song, incorporating elements of the ‘Ankwanoma’ lyrics into their tracks.

An example is highlife singer Fameye’s ‘Not God’, which features a sample of the song in its hook.

Also, the famous phrase “Ankwanoma me me kra b) af)re o. Mey3 nea metumi bea. Memr3 so a na me k)” is frequently used to express resilience in the face of challenges.

It best describes the idea of doing one’s best despite numerous threats and uncertainties, acknowledging that eventually, one will leave when their time is up.

Background

Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng, during a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, revealed that Ken Ofori-Atta, who served for over seven years under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration, had fled the country after ignoring an invitation to respond to questions regarding several ongoing investigations.

Kissi Agyabeng disclosed that Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations, including corruption-related activities linked to the construction of the National Cathedral of Ghana.

The Special Prosecutor’s Office is also seeking to question Ofori-Atta regarding the termination of a contract with the Electricity Company of Ghana and the purchase of ambulances by the Ministry of Health, among other matters.

How showbiz personalities embraced the news

In response to the Special Prosecutor’s announcement, several showbiz personalities, including Kwame Dzokoto, Baba Sadiq, A Plus, and others, have shared their opinions.

While some have expressed excitement about the news and teased the embattled former finance minister, others have commented on his possible whereabouts and his silence regarding the situation.

Also watch Miki Osei Berko’s interview on Talkertainment below:

EB