Kunta Kinte Rises Again

First time up on a live stage after six months, Kunta Kinte (middle), joins Stone and a care giver in the Malaika act

The many patrons who thought Kunta Kinte’s appearance on the Miss Malaika stage last Saturday was just an act must have missed the whole essence of the dramatisation…until host Chris Attoh announced to the audience that the 21-year old was appearing on stage for the first time since he suffered a stroke.

Although many in the audience were stunned at the news, those who knew Kunta Kinte (real name Nana Nsiah Amankwah) the other member of the Bradez duo, understood that he was celebrating his marked improvement of his paralysis situation that saw him bedridden for almost six months.

Those six months were some of the difficult times for Kunta Kinte and his family and the young man was very open about his story when he granted Showbiz an exclusive interview.

Narrating the circumstances surrounding his illness, Kunta Kinte who is a student at the University of Ghana, Legon, said that, “I fell sick on campus and was diagnosed with malaria. I was at lectures three days after taking the medication and I felt very weak. I also felt like urinating so I decided to go to the washroom but on my way I felt too weak to walk and I had to be carried to the Legon hospital. I think I fell unconscious on the way.”

When he came to in the hospital, his family was told that he had suffered a slight paralysis on the right side of his body but they could not tell what had triggered it. “The doctors could not diagnose exactly what was wrong with me. I had to do several tests and CT scans but they still could not find anything to explain what had happened to me.”

The first few months were terrible as Kunta Kinte lost his memory, could not walk or speak; he was unable to do much of anything and that was quite frustrating for the normally very energetic guy.

“I was too weak to do anything and that got to me a great deal but for some months now, I have felt very strong. I can walk on my own, talk, dance and even sing and I am very happy about that. All I can say is that it is a miracle I am alive and doing so well.”

During those trying times, his family and friends were extremely supportive of him and helped him to get through his situation. “Some of the musicians and my mates in school were also very good to me; they would call and check up on me everytime and that meant a lot to me.”

On his first appearance on stage, Kunta Kinte said he decided to perform at Miss Malaika for a number of reasons the major one being that he did not want Bradez to miss out on any awards they might get in the future because of his absence.

“I also wanted to show how committed I am to my job and to my fans and how much I appreciate them. Besides these, the organisers had been asking to see Bradez on stage so we took the opportunity to show ourselves.”

However brief his appearance was, Kunta Kinte says that he was elated to be back on stage and felt happy to be with his fans. “I enjoy performing a lot so it feels really good to be back.”

Although he came on stage in a wheelchair and was aided by some dancers to stand up, he says that it was only an act which may have been confused by people. “I have heard all kinds of rumours since I fell sick that I am constantly in a wheelchair and that is not true. I can now walk, I can talk; I can do everything. All we wanted to do on stage was to show my situation during my illness and how I am now.

“My being in the wheelchair symbolised the period of my sickness and when I stood up, I was showing that I was well now.” Share Your Thoughts on this article Name Email Location Comments Graphic Ghana may edit your comments and not all comments will be published