Entertainment of Tuesday, 14 January 2003

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Kiki Gyan In South Africa For Treatment

The renowned Ghanaian musician, Kiki Gyan -of Osibisa fame -left Accra for South Africa to undergo treatment for the substance abuse problem that has afflicted him for sometime now. The Ghana Substance Abuse Recovery Programme (G-SARP) and the Musicians and Artistes Programme of South Africa (MAPSA) are sponsoring Kiki Gyan's treatment.

Mr Hugh Masakela, the world renowned musician and trumpeter from South Africa, who is also the founder of MAPSA and the founding patron of G-SARP accompanied Kiki Gyan.

Speaking to newsmen at the Kotoka International Airport before departure, Mr Masakela explained that Gyan would be treated at a recovery centre, where he would be admitted for six weeks. He would go through various experiences including group sessions with others and would be trained in the psychology of drug recovery.

Mr Masakela expressed the hope that Gyan would return home after his treatment as a resource person for G-SARP to assist others suffering from similar predicament to recovery.

Mr Masakela paid glowing tribute to the directors and members of G-SARP for making the trip possible especially Dr. J.J. Lamptey, Director of the programme who took care of Kiki at the Valley View Clinic for a year.

The G-SARP is a non-governmental organisation established in 2002 to assist people with substance abuse problem to recover. The NGO, which also aims at building a centre for the treatment and rehabilitation of substance abusers, has the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amotia Ofori Panin as its Chief Patron.