Abrantie Amakye Dede Amakye Dede, a top Ghanaian musician has attributed his long absence from the musical scene to the need to re-equip his band and plan his way forward especially at a period when live band is on the decline as it has become increasingly difficult to get engagements.

According to him, he also used the period to honour eight foreign engagements in the United States which has had been outstanding for quite some time.

He said while he was doing all these, his ?spinning? group took over and since people found it cheaper,  his Abrantie Spot boomed with activities while the group also had other engagements.

Amakye Dede attributed his ups and downs to God and explained that he has come this far by being patient, humble, prayerful and industrious.

The one-time Farmer of the Year in the Ejisu Juaben District of the Ashanti Region said he has had a lot of problems including being shot at in his musical career and but for God, he would have been dead by now.

Amakye mentioned that the live-band situation has improved since the latter part of last year and so things have become better for some big bands.

He pointed out that some of the hiplife groups have also started using live bands and that is really good for the music industry. ?Last Saturday, I supported the Keysoap and Peace FM programmes at the Trade Fair and the response to live band music was really good?.

?This has made me abandon the recorded music that I play at the Abrantie Spot for live band music on Fridays, Saturday and Sunday? he added.

Asked what he considered the problem that most militated against his career, Amakye replied that he had had many problems but the one that really hit him was rumours.

He intimated that in 1989, when he travelled to Germany for the first time, there were rumours to the effect that he had been arrested there. ?I had to cut short my trip to come and show myself before returning to complete my show?. Three years later he said the same rumours started again. The most recent he stated was two years ago while he was recording in the US and was saved when two radio stations, Radio Gold and Peace FM called him to speak to them live on their programmes to dispel the rumours.

?What I want to tell Ghanaians is that, I am just like a car being driven by God. Wherever he directs me is where I go? he said in earnest.

The musician continued that, people should learn to think positively and learn to love their neighbours like themselves as the Lord Jesus Christ taught. ?The road to this journey has not been easy but as long as God gives me the power, I will do it and do it right?.

Amakye Dede gave thanks to God the father for giving him his wife Mary Amakye Dede who has become a pillar behind him. He explained that through her efforts, ideas and advice they have the Abrantie spot which is offering other musicians a place to ply their trade.

Amakye disclosed that, he also became a farmer, eventually winning the Best Farmer Award through her advice and support.

To the up and coming musicians, the top musician said he started like them and they must endeavour to come out with clean lyrics. He especially praised Obrafuor for the lyrics and said there are many others like him who are doing well.

?There are others who are not helping the industry by the lyrics they sing. Amakye disclosed that, by Easter, he will release his next album under his own record label which he will produce himself?.

Why he has left Megastar? He believes he has reached the stage where he should go on his own.