Highlife legend, Abrantie Amakye Dede is still in shock and cannot believe how he survived a fatal motor accident on New Year’s day.
The accident which occured at the Paradise Spot at Nsutam on the Accra- Kumasi Highway, claimed the life of his manager, Mr Isaac Yeboah and had his body guard, Prince Mensah, 43, sustaining severe injuries.
“I am surprised. In fact, I am shocked I am still alive and sitting here talking to you. If I recollect what happened, I can only say that it is only God who saved me. I tell you, I should have been dead. Nothing should have been left of me. My body should have been mutilated.
“I still can’t understand why I, who was in the car when the other vehicle rammed into ours, is alive and my dear manager Isaac who was rather outside, lost his life. I am so sad about his death. I can’t believe he is gone forever.
“Isaac is irreplaceable. I have indeed lost a friend and a brother. It will be very difficult to replace him but God says in all things we should give thanks.”
These were the words of Abrantie Amakye Dede when he spoke with Showbiz from his hospital bed at the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Abrantie, who could not stop questioning why Isaac had to die, narrated what happened:
“It was almost midnight and I was getting ready to perform at Paradise Spot near Linda D’or. My band was warming the stage for me to come on board.
“So I went into my manager’s car, a Toyota Corolla to change and freshen up before going on stage. Isaac and Prince waited outside by the boot of the car.
“I fetched some talcum powder to apply on my face and as I raised my head to look in the mirror in front of the passenger’s seat, the headlights of a vehicle approaching at top speed hit my eyes.
“Suddenly, the vehicle was upon me. There was nothing I could do but to shout ‘Ewurde ma wu’ to wit ‘God I am dead’. The vehicle rammed into our stationed car and sent it spinning till it finally settled on the opposite side of the road.
According to the Iron Boy hitmaker who turned 58 years old on Tuesday, January 5, though he managed to get out of the car by himself, he was very shaken when he saw blood oozing from his face and other parts of his body.
“I got out of the mangled car by myself. I was covered in blood but I wanted to make sure my men were alright. I saw Isaac and Prince underneath the Mercedes Benz Sprinter bus which rammed into our car but I was bundled into a car and rushed to Osiem Hawa Memorial Hospital.
“Though I saw Isaac underneath the vehicle, I did not think he was dead. I got to know of his death on Monday and that news really got to me.”
The singer said the news of the death of his manager caused his blood pressure to rise to a frightening level and the doctors had to detain him for more observation.
“I thank God that Prince has been discharged from the hospital. This New Year did not start well for me but I am grateful to God that I am still alive. I have lost my manager but only God knows the best. Hmmm, who am I to question Him? I just pray that God will keep him well till we meet again.”
Abrantie used the opportunity to wish all Ghanaians a happy New Year. “I thank Ghanaians for their prayers and the love they have shown me in this difficult time. I am also grateful to President John Mahama for taking time off his busy schedule to visit me.
“I also say thank you to the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo Addo for sending a delegation to visit me. I am grateful to Dr Osei Kwame Despite and Dr Serebour and his team for the wonderful care they have been taking of me. To everyone else who has been to the hospital to see me, I say a big thank you.”
