Entertainment of Friday, 30 November 2018

Source: yen.com.gh

John Mahama dances to 'Bobolebobo' at his 60th birthday party

File photo: Mahama dancing at an event play videoFile photo: Mahama dancing at an event

Former president John Dramani Mahama celebrated his birthday in style by jamming to the popular ‘Bobolebobo’ song.

The NDC flagbearer aspirant turned 60-years-old on Thursday, November 30, 2018. As part of his birthday, Mahama exhibited some dance moves by jamming to the refix of the ‘Bobolebobo” song.

Crowded by friends and loved ones, the ex-president looked very happy as he marked his birthday.

Mahama served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2016, before losing to Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He has also previously served in various capacities, including as deputy Minister, Minister and Vice President. Mahama is currently seeking re-election, having revealed his intention to contest the NDC’s flgabearership.

Meanwhile, the NDC has announced the filing fees for all aspirants, with the date for the flagbearership election scheduled for January 19. Following a meeting by the NDC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Thursday, it was agreed that all male flagbearer aspirants will pay GHc400,000 as filing fee.

Female flagbearer aspirants are also expected to pay GHc200,000, while the amount is pegged at GHc150,000 for persons with disability aspiring to the same position. Meanwhile, the nomination form for the NDC flagbearer slot is going for GHS20,000.

For parliamentary aspirants, males are expected to pay GHS20,000 as filing fees, while female aspirants will pay half the amount. All aspirants have subsequently been given 10 days to officially and properly file their nominations.

‘Bobolebobo’ is the title of a gospel song by Evangelist Aning which has gained popularity in Ghana. According to the singer, the term was couched from a Dagbani word ‘bom’ which literally means fire.

In an interview with Citi News, the musician said he had to play with it to sound good so he dropped the ‘m’ and made it repetitive so it would flow with the rhythm. “Bobolebobo is a Dagomba language. ‘Bom’ in Dagbani means ‘fire.’

But I took off the ‘m’ because I realised if I used ‘bom’ for the song, it would not sound good. As a musician, I wanted to play with it, that is why you hear a repetition of the ‘bo’ and a ‘le’ somewhere,” he explained.

The ‘Bobolebobo’ song has become the toast of most music lovers but it gained more attention when it was played at the congress grounds of the NDC. There is another version which has the former President John Mahama’s name in it.

Apparently, it is a campaign song that has been composed for the former president who has announced his intention to contest for the NDC primaries ahead of the 2020 elections.