Veteran musician, Kojo Donkoh passes away

The death has been announced in Accra of veteran composer, music producer, arranger and keyboardist, Kojo Donkoh. He was 81.
A statement signed on behalf of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) by its Head of Communications and Special Projects, Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, said Kojo Donkoh died after a short illness and that he is survived by a wife, Mrs. Victoria Donkoh and five children.
An accomplished producer, Kojo Donkoh was responsible for the famous Time for Highlife song which became a virtual highlife anthem across the country.
He went on to produce the Walatu Walasa and Mibe Shi Din albums for the Wulomei in 1975 and 1978 in addition to Dzadzeloi's epic album Napoliata which had hits like "Two Paddy Follow One Girl" in 1978.
He also recorded the highlife classic Yefrefre which was the signature song of the Ogyantana Show Band he founded in 1971. The group also featured the golden voice of Pat Thomas on songs like Mmbrowa and Yaa Amponsah.
Kojo Donkoh also worked with great Ghanaian acts like Ray Ellis, Ebo Taylor and the Uhuru Dance Band in addition to recording many choirs and brass bands. He was a member of the erstwhile Ghana Union of Producers and operated for many years under his own label, Agoro Records.
According to MUSIGA's First Vice President and Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) board member Bessa Simons, Kojo Donkoh was a virtuoso keyboardist who had a unique style that was hard to imitate.
The late octogenarian was still working on music productions up till the time of his death and was in the process of recording a collection of hymns with Bessa Simons. In addition to the various highlife songs Kojo Donkoh produced, he also recorded numerous Presbyterian hymns.
The late Kojo Donkoh, who was a diplomat before entering the music industry, will be laid to rest on Saturday, June 4 at the Gethsemane Memorial Cemetery at Shiashie in Accra after final funeral rites at the Accra Ridge Church. A thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday, June 5 at the Accra Ridge Church.