<<Print>>

He is noted for being outspoken and blunt when it comes to critical national issues, a trait for which most people like him. He is adored by his listeners and music lovers, but little did anyone think that he will ever be in jail. Ghana�s multi award-winning conscious reggae superstar, Blakk Rasta, was at the rather not so neat Nsawam Prison on this year�s Bob Marley day (May 11) to celebrate with the over 3000 inmates amidst cheers and tears. �A lot of people have no regard for our prisoners, but a lot of them are innocent: a case of the right place at the wrong time,� Blakk Rasta said with teary eyes. It could happen to any of us. I have taken it as my project to encourage love for our �condemned friends.� In a concert dubbed JAIL HOUSE ROCKING, the reggae artiste/radio presenter performed a lot of his hit songs with his Herbalist Band for four hours as allotted by prison authorities in the first-ever reggae performance in a Ghanaian prison. The theme for the performance was, �The Storm Will Soon Be Over.� The disciplined prisoners danced and sang to reggae music until the live band concert ended at 4:00pm when they were asked to retire to their cell rooms. They lamented that the concert had ended too soon. Many cried as Blakk Rasta delivered very inspiring messages to them in between his set. Prison officers could not withstand the heat but to join in the dancing and celebration right on stage. Toiletries, food, toothbrushes, deodorants, cloths and beverages were donated by the artiste to the inmates, who asked to have the celebration done every year. Their request was upheld. Fiifi Selah (formerly of TH4 Kwages), Saba and a prisoner, King Grapha, also entertained the inmates. Deputy Director of Prisons Mr. Ackom Gyedu was glad to have reggae in the jail house and agreed to help make it an annual affair. He said the prisoners love and iconize Blakk Rasta a lot, saying that Blakk Rasta should never let them down.