Madam Cecilia Atootaga, the mother of embattled Hiplife musician Okomfo Kwadee, has publicly refuted allegations that she is responsible for her son’s prolonged struggles and has been preventing his colleagues from offering assistance.
Speaking on UTV’s United Showbiz over the weekend, she pleaded with the public to stop spreading falsehoods about her role in her son’s situation.
According to Madam Atootaga, these allegations were propagated by Hammer Nti, who has been overseeing Kwadee’s welfare in recent times. She revealed that she had initially wanted fellow musician-turned-evangelist, Lord Kenya, to take charge of Kwadee’s rehabilitation, believing he was well-suited to help her son recover, given his own experience with mental health issues and eventual recovery.
“I told Hammer that I wanted Lord Kenya to handle my son, but he got angry, so I rescinded my decision and allowed him to take charge,” she explained.
Madam Atootaga emphasized that her only concern has always been her son’s well-being and denied ever obstructing efforts to help him.
“I could never do that, and this false narrative should not be allowed to persist. If we had entrusted him to Lord Kenya and my son had regained his sanity and become like him, it would have been a great thing. But because of his interests, Hammer did not want that. They always say that his mother is behind his problems, but that is not true. I would never do that to my son,” she stated emphatically.
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His mother revealed that Kwadee’s current situation is a result of bad company, drug use, and his own obstinacy. She stressed that while she would never sit on live television and disgrace her son, the truth must be acknowledged. She noted that his battle is not entirely overwhelming, but the influence of these factors has made his recovery difficult.
“My son’s situation is the result of obstinacy, bad company, and drug use. There is no way I will sit on live TV and disgrace my son, but that is the truth. His current battle is not too overwhelming, but due to these factors, that is why he is like that. Whenever he goes to sing, then he goes into those things,” she stated.
Ongoing Struggles of Okomfo Kwadee
Okomfo Kwadee, born Jerry Anaba, was once a dominant force in Ghana’s Hiplife scene, known for hit songs like Yeko Mmaa Pe, Ataa Adwoa, and Esi. However, for over a decade, he has battled mental health challenges, which have significantly affected his career and personal life. His condition has been linked to drug abuse, specifically excessive marijuana (weed) consumption, which reportedly contributed to his deteriorating mental health.
Reports indicate that his struggles began years ago, with concerns from family, industry colleagues, and fans about his well-being. In 2020, he made a brief comeback after spending time at a rehabilitation center, but his condition reportedly deteriorated again. Various stakeholders in the industry, including Lord Kenya, have attempted to support his recovery, but sustained help has been a challenge.
Lord Kenya, who has been vocal about Kwadee’s condition, previously expressed concerns about his inability to provide adequate assistance. He stated in interviews that Kwadee needed structured rehabilitation and continuous support to regain his stability.
Meanwhile, Kwadee’s mother has urged the public to verify facts before believing and spreading false information. She remains hopeful that her son will receive the necessary support to regain his full health and continue his musical career.
As the discussion around Kwadee’s condition continues, calls have been made for structured intervention from both the entertainment industry and relevant health authorities to ensure that the legendary musician receives the necessary care and rehabilitation.
