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Kofi Owusu Dua Anto (15 December 1978 – 21 April 2024), known mononymously as KODA, was a Ghanaian gospel singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Takoradi.

Early life and education

KODA fell in love with musical instruments at a tender age. His mother enrolled him in a music class at the age of 10 where he developed his skills to play the guitar. He went to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where he became the mass choir director of the university.

KODA was also the music director and instrumentalist of the "Music Wing of Baptist Students Union", "KNUST's Simply Jazz Crew", "God's Instruments" and a leading member of "Da Project" which was a legendary Ghanaian contemporary gospel group then. After tertiary education, he co-wrote, mixed, mastered and produced the exceptional album, Awurade Ei for KNUST's "God's Instruments" at KODED studios, Takoradi, Ghana. The album received massive recognition in the country. It had great hits such as "Awurade Ei" ("Se Woma Wonsa Soa"), "Tumi" and "Onyame" Ye D'awase".

Music career

KODA also worked on Nii Okai's Moko Be and Gye W'ayeyi albums, gaining him prominence as a producer. KODA worked with many gospel artists in Ghana and internationally, including Nii Okai, Pastor Joseph Gyebi, Danny Nettey, Pastor Joe Beecham, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Joyful Way Inc., Pastor Helen Yawson, Yaw Osei-Owusu, "Ike Nanor", Eugene Zuta, Jesse Jenkins, Diana Hamilton and Calvis Hammond. The Anointed is a music group formed by KODA and his friends based in Takoradi. The group has supported many gospel ministries in the country and overseas.

KODA has four vocal and two gospel jazz albums to his credit. Nyame Beye which is the first and Waye Wie which had hits including "Waye Wie", "Zion's song", "Poma" and "Amen".

His third album Black & White including the tracks "Guide Me O", "Nkwa Abodoo" and "Obiara Nte Se Wo", and the controversial "Nsem Pii". In 2016, he released an album OXYGEN, featuring the songs "Adooso", "Yaa Pae" and "Chimo".

In 2021, KODA released Keteke, his 6th vocal album . As a music tutor, he released two instructional DVDs on bass and lead guitar and three live DVDs of his major concerts; KODA live (2008), Black and White live (2013) and Oxygen Live (2016).

Personal life and death

KODA was married to fellow musician Ewurama Dua Anto and together they had two sons and a daughter.

KODA died in the early hours of 21 April 2024, aged 45, after battling kidney disease for an extended period.

Discography

Albums

Major Singles

• Nkwaa Abodoo featuring Nacy
• Nsem Pii
• Adooso

Awards and nominations

References

1. "Koda Set To Release Another Hot Single Tomorrow 1st May". Modern Ghana. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
2. ^ "BREAKING: Gospel musician KODA is dead - Reports". GhanaWeb. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
3. "'Gye W' Ayeyi'-God's Instruments sing".
4. "Pastor Joe Beecham to stage 'Yonder' concert on December 3". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
5. Ofori, Cwesi (26 October 2016). "Joyful Way Inc – Wo Ye Owura (ft. Ps. Isaiah Fosu-Kwakye Jnr) prod. by KODA". GospelGh. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
6. Allotey, Godwin Akweiteh (30 October 2016). "Joyful Way Incorporated releases new single". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
7. "KODA - Obiara Nte Se Wo".
8. "Churches frown on KODA'S "Nsem Pii" song".
9. "KODA releases 6th album 'Keteke' featuring top gospel acts". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
10. "All my friends have relocated to Accra because of music - KODA". Archived from the original on 30 June 2015.
11. "Gospel musician KODA reported dead - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
12. Gospel Musician KODA dies after battling kidney disease. Modern Ghana. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
13. "KODA – Nkwa Abodoo (Bread Of Life) (Feat Nacy) (Live Performance)". ghanandwom.com. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
14. "Myjoyonline's Gospel Music Review: Nkwa Abodoo ( Bread of Life ) KODA ft Nacy". Myjoyonline.com. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
15. "Churches Frown On KODA'S "Nsem Pii" Song". gospelgh.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
16. Ofori, Cwesi (18 January 2016). "KODA - Adooso". Gospelgh.com. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
17. Afanyi-Dadzie, Ebenezer (19 January 2016). "KODA's 'Adooso' track tackles monetization of the church [Video]". Ghana News. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
18. Adinkra, Fiifi (7 April 2015). "VGMA Industry Awards 2015 Winners". ghanandwom. Fiifi Adinkra. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
19. "List of nominees for 2015 Ghana Music Awards". dailyguideghana. dailyguideghana. 28 February 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
20. "2013 Christian Community Music Awards (CCMA) – The Most Wanted". 233livenews. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
21. "Nacy, Ohemaa Mercy, Gifty Osei, Skuulfoo, Nii Okai, Others Nominated For Africa Gospel Music Awards 2012+Full List Of Nomination". newsghana. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2015.

External links

• Official Facebook Page
• KODA on Twitter

• 1978 births
• 2024 deaths
• 21st-century Ghanaian male singers
• 21st-century Ghanaian singers
• Ghanaian gospel singers
• People from Western Region (Ghana)
• Ghanaian composers
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology alumni
• Mfantsipim School alumni
• Ghanaian Christians