Becca, Ohemaa stand tall at GMA

Saturday, April 17, 2010 (The Mirror Pg 3)

By Rebecca Kwei
Beautiful Becca and ‘spirit-filled’ Ohemaa Mercy were the only women who stood tall at last weekend’s MTN Ghana Music Awards (GMA) held at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre.
Becca won the Record of the Year for her song Daa ke Daa and the Best Female Vocal Performance while Ohemaa Mercy took the coveted Gospel Artiste of the Year.
Their performances on the night were also thrilling. Becca’s rendition of her song Daa Ke Daa, which she interlaced with Kojo Antwi’s Mmereka, went down well with the audience.
She was speechless when she received her award but managed to thank all those who have helped her reach this far.
“I’m really excited. I was not expecting it. This shows people are happy with what I’ve been doing. I thank God for everything; my family, friends, fans and my management, EKB Entertainment, for their support” she told The Mirror in a telephone interview.
For Ohemaa Mercy, dressing as ‘Christian soldier’ did the trick for her. She was on ‘fire’ and got the audience to sing Wo Be Ye Kese with her.
It has been a long journey for the two singers and reaching this height has not been easy.
Becca (real name Rebecca Acheampong) has within a short time become a force to reckon with on the music scene. Her poise, confidence, powerful voice and stagecraft put her in a different league.
Becca, who is a Level 200 student studying Projects and Operations Management at Greenhill College in Accra, says it is her passion for music that makes her give her all, whether recording or performing.
Additionally, she notes that she has a great team supporting her — EKB Entertainment Manager, Kiki Banson, who also doubles as the band director and other supporting staff.
Becca’s debut album, Sugar was a hit. She won Record of the Year at the 2008 GMA. Another hit, You Lied to Me featuring Kwabena Kwabena, earned her four other nominations.
Becca featured Hugh Masekela, a renowned musician from South Africa, on her track I Love you. She has also collaborated with Keisha White, a UK R&B star.
In 2008, Becca was nominated in the Kora Awards and Channel O Music Video Awards. She said she was currently working on a new album which would come out soon.
Playing a musical instrument is a plus for any singer and that is why Becca is learning how to play the guitar and keyboards.
Recently, Becca gave a whole new meaning to social responsibility when she successfully raised $100,000 in cash and pledges at her first “Becca Children’s Ball” to enable her register 10,000 children under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
An old student of Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast, Becca also holds a certificate in Child Care and Education from the Croydon College in London.
Ohemaa Mercy was nominated in four categories for this year’s awards ceremony but managed to win in one. What made her stand out at last Saturday’s awards ceremony was her smart turn-out in military uniform for her performance. Many sometimes see her as a shy woman but she put whatever notions people have about her aside and wowed the crowd with a solid show.
Since 2005 when Ohemaa Mercy released her debut album Adamfo Pa, she has matured on the gospel music scene and has become a household name.
She released Edin Jesus in 2007 and was nominated in eight categories at the 2008 GMA where she managed to grab the Gospel Artiste of the Year, Gospel Album of the Year and Album of the Year awards.
Her latest album Wobeye Kese is making waves across the country.
Ohemaa Mercy, a professional teacher, feels blessed because she can compose and sing as well. “God has given me a talent and I see no other way to use it than to serve in His kingdom to inspire and bring souls into His kingdom, ” she says.
Ohemaa grew up in Koforidua, attended Ghana Secondary School, Koforidua, before enrolling at the S.D.A. Teacher Training College at Asokore. She went to teach at the Koforidua St Peter’s Anglican School but got steeped into gospel music.
She quit teaching when she started getting inundated with requests from across the country for performances. She has, however, set up the Ohemaa Foundation which helps brilliant children through school.