“MNET Idol West Africa, it is not beyond Ghanaians” - says Abrewa Nana

The M-Net Idol West Africa competition came to an end on 7th May 2007 with Timi Dakolo a half Ghanaian emerging as the champion with about an audience votes of 63% which has given him the greatest opportunity to launch his musical career. At 26 years, Dorcas Opoku Darkwa and also known in showbiz as Abrewanana was a HND Accounting Holder in an exclusive inter view with your number one entertainment news paper WEEKLY FYLA the once hip life icon, spoke on a wide range of issues regarding the just ended M-NET IDOL WEST AFRICA competition in Lagos Nigeria, her career and the burden expectation as a musician after the show and the alleged rumours that she is a lesbian, all these and more read on as she spoke to DJ Amess.

Weekly Fylla (WF) Well, Nana you are welcome back home. Where shall we start from? Let's start from the M-Net idols West Africa competition where you were part of the judges which include Dede Mabiaku and Dan Foster.
Abrewanana (AN): Thank you very much. It was a significant experience and adventure and let me thank God for taking me through and Ghanaians for their support, even though with some reservations.
WF: Why reservation? Were you received by Ghanaians during and after the competition?
AN: Reservation because since I left, it was only one or two Ghanaians who called to encourage and support me. (And could you believe that since my arrival it was Jon Germain and 2 other radio stations who have spoken to me and your paper… em! Weekly Fylla?) What I went to do in Nigeria was not for me alone but for all Ghanaians. Artists for that matter hiplifers need attention.
WF: Were you disappointed?

AN: Yes of cause, I am disappointed. What I saw in Nigeria and their people is a different ball game together. Nigerians encourage and cherish their people unless…………… (She pauses and gave a doubtful smile and said “eye eye” in twi, meaning it's alright).
WF: I am sure that's the hottest and probably latest entertainment news in town as for as Abrewanana is concerned. In the first place how were you selected?

AN: Well, I think, my selection was based on merit. I had no friend, 'connection' or link with M-Net who invited me for an interview. I wouldn't like to say it was audition. I was the only person they invited. It was later on that I heard they also spoke to Reggie Rockstone (our god father amidst laughter) Panji and another whose name I can't recollect now. I went through the interview successfully. So weeks later when I was not sure of what was going on I had a call from the organizers telling me I have been selected.

WF: Let's jump from there and come to what we saw you doing during the competition. Most of us remember seeing you on TV either commending or hard on some of these contestants. How was it like?

AN: Like I said I had a call 3 weeks after the interview from M-Net office in South Africa. They told me to join their team in Nigeria. So I left here on 7th January 2007. We traveled extensively to Virgin Island, Cabala, Abuja and to Lagos again for the auditioning. In all we selected about 60 potential people and later was pruned to 24. Initially I was not impressed of the quality of people we were going to deal with but when they were short listed to 24, it was there that I realized the magnitude of the job at hand.

WF: So how will you describe the whole exercise? Where you jittery as the only lady among the huge men? (Dede and Foster)

AN: It was a personal experience to me as an artist. It has exposed me to so many things in life. I have learnt a lot about Nigerians. Infact before I left the shores of Ghana I had different opinions about Nigerians but after staying and studying them for a while I realized that they are different people all together. I am also proud that I have contributed to the success story of this project and a lot of encouragement from fellow ladies who urged me on that whatever a man can do a woman can also do, even better.

WF: Now you were the only lady, as I said in the panel. Did you ever fell inadequate or inferior anytime with the competition?

AN: Never, at all. You know I am a celebrity myself and for that matter a woman. I was even happier to be part and felt proud to rob shoulders with my colleagues.
WF: Looking at the caliber of persons who took part in the competition were they better than Ghanaians since there were no Ghanaians? Do you also think Ghana can make any meaningful impact if we have the chance to…………………

AN: Hey! Mind you there was a Ghanaian blood over there, the eventual winner Timi is a half Ghanaian, by the way to your question, “I believe it is not beyond us…..

We can do even better. For me all I can say is that no seriousness was attached to the audition here. There was no serious publicity and moreover people didn't believe it” she explained. Another factor was that the audition took place only in East Legon Accra and don't forget Accra cannot be the whole Ghana. In Nigeria, we went to four different places. I am sure next year more publicity and places would be chosen for the auditioning. I was also disappointed in the last ten people chosen from Ghana. Their standard was below par and I felt very bad of the caliber of people who were going to represent our interest, hence their inability to breakthrough.

WF: Do you think Timi Dakolo deserved to win after all the noise and support Qmawuni was enjoying?

AN: To be frank with you, if I had to choose somebody, it could have been Timi, because the guy has got personality and the voice which is very important in showbiz like this. Even though my lady Qmawumi has the stagecraft, and very intelligent (I later learnt she is a lawyer) but that alone cannot take you there.

WF: What kind of person is Timi?

AN: He is quite good, even though I didn't see that kind of flexibility in him. He chooses songs that mostly suit him but in Qmawumi you see have some flexibility, she does something in Hip Hop, Reggae, and R & B. But like I said this is a competition and only one person was expected to win.
WF: How will you describe the atmosphere prior to the final 10 to the last 2?

AN: People were watching it from pessimistic directions, take it for a joke and I was wondering it was going to succeed but when the number was prone form 60 to 24, it was then that people's perception began to change. You know it was all about public voting. Somebody may be popular but not necessarily good but have the sympathy of the public and somebody may be good but not popular or from the hinterland but may not enjoy the massive support of the public. Do you know that due to the voting system I lost people, to my candid opinion could have won; the likes of Uche, Jodie (as for Jodie everything was working for her until she had the shock of her life when she was evicted. It was all about people's attitude to win, the 'voters' relaxed, thinking that she will win but before they realized she was out) Do you remember what happened to Erico, the same attitude.

WF: So you don't believe in the voting system?
AN: May be but I think the judges too must be given the mandate to determine who is good technically.

WF: So the last 10 to the 2……………………………
AN: Like I was saying it was hectic and competitive. It wasn't the final at which the ultimate prize winner would be chosen but the one that would begin the eviction, so it was a tensed moment for the final 10. Uche, Eric, Qmawumi, Joan, Jodie, Mercy, Temitayo, Mercy, Timi, Jerrilyn and Qmodele, were impressive but since the competition required voting via text messages whether good or bad, the process was used until Qmawumi and Timi were selected to compete for the mouth-watering prizes at stake.

WF: You must be rich? Were you accepted and happy throughout the period you stayed in Nigeria?

AN: Hahaha� I am just an ordinary Ghanaian woman and if you are referring to the per diem from the show then I must say it is ok. You know I don't really go out. I am always at my room. (She was lodging in the same hotel where the competition took place). You know some few “disgruntled young men were making 'move' as usual but you know I took it easy” she said with laughing.

WF: So when did you return and what is the way forward for Abrewanana?
AN: I returned home on the 7th of May, 2007. I am taking some few days rest and go back to the studio to continue with my next project. The competition has exposed me more and I ought to do something which will be accepted by all and sundry. I am coming out big the same style, the same Abrewanana and by August I hope to drop my latest which will feature international artist like P-Square and many others.

WF: People say you are “anti-social” How will you respond to this.
AN: Am not. I am a down to earth person as you know. But the fact is if you are not close to somebody you don't know how you can associate yourself to that person? You see in Ghana we have different kind of people with different agenda and attitude. Everyone has got the right to decide his or her destiny but on judgment day no partiality, so allow them to say what they want but those who knows me know how I am.

WF: Are you a Lesbian and why are you not married? Why is that men fear to approach you, Nana?
AN: Am not. Am a woman and I must or will associate myself with women, and if this is what they termed and described as lesbian or “supism” is not my cup of tea. Even though I am not married I am into a serious relationship with a guy with whom we are going to the altar to tie the knot hopefully by the end of the year. I don't want to mention names here. You remember “Odo Filla”? It was a real life situation. The guy I was formerly going out with ended up flirting with my best friend. Later they both came out apologizing, saying that it was the work of the devil. I have forgiven them. You remember the white golf I was using? It was my boyfriends' own, so who says I was not in a relationship or men or guys don't approach me, may be Mr. Right is on his way …..

WF: How do you see the music industry?
AN: Everything has come to a standstill. No producers. The few in the system also lack vision. Their target is Ghana, no better links with outsiders for the promotion of our music. Our artistes are not properly catered for hence our inability to break into the international market. We must be exposed to the international world.

WF: What do you do at your leisure time? Are you a Christian and what kind of food do you eat?
AN: This is a multimillion question, anyway I love to stay indoors and read books. Sometimes I play table tennis but I enjoy clubbing too and I worshipped with Gospel Light International but I am a Catholic by birth. I like fufu with Nkatenkwan (groundnut soup) and rice.
WF: So who is Abrewanana?

AN: Abrewanana was born and christened Dorcas Opoku Darkwa to Mr. Isaac Kwesi Darkwa from Ashanti Apaa and Antie Julian Blankson, a Cape Coaster. I schooled at Datus Complex School in 1990-93 for my JSS then to Aggrey Memorial Zion Sec. School. I was the Enter-P then. I also pursued a course in Accounting at the Takoradi Polytechnic in 1998. Currently am preparing for my fourth album.

WF: Your Final word
AN: My target in the international market and is my hope that I will assist up and coming ones to realize their God given talents. And I wish to take this opportunity to say hi to few people who have made me what I am today. First and foremost to the living God for seeing me through; also to the man…..all about Bandex, my family, friends, DJS, Ghanaians and all those who helped in my previous outings, am grateful to them and you… Fylla Mag………….no, no Weekly Fylla, hahahah! God bless you all.

WF: It's wonderful talking to you
AN: Is my pleasure.

BY: DJ AMESS