Historian and People’s Redemption Movement (PRM) flagbearer, Lawyer Yaw Anokye Frimpong, has clarified that Ivorian musician Freddy Meiway sings in the Nzema language, not French, highlighting the cultural and historical context behind this linguistic choice.
Speaking in an interview with Ohemaa Woyegye on Angel FM, a discussion on “The Relationship Between Bisa and Mamprusi,” Lawyer Anokye explained that the Nzema people are predominantly found in Ghana and Ivory Coast, with about two-thirds residing in Ghana and one-third in Ivory Coast.
Hence, making the musician finds himself in Ivory Coast , using Nzema language in his music .
“When you come to Ghana, a small town like Nzema, we have two-thirds in Ghana and one-third in Ivory Coast, where a very fine musician, Freddy Meiway, finds himself,” lawyer Anokye said.
He emphasized that many people mistakenly believe Meiway sings in French, but this misconception arises from historical circumstances. He also referenced the Berlin Conference, where European powers arbitrarily drew Africa’s borders without regard for its diverse cultures and languages.
“The Europeans were sitting in Europe knowing nothing about the geography of Africa, yet they drew the African map as they understood it themselves, marking boundaries with pencil and ruler,” he stated.
Source: Vanessa Elizabeth Nkum
