Biography:

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.^[1][2]

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”.^[3]

Music career

KODA also worked on Nii Okai’s Moko Be and Gye W’ayeyi albums which actually blew him up as a producer. KODA has worked with many gospel artists in and out of Ghana including the likes of 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, among others. 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“, ‘Amen’ and others. His third album “Black & White” had many hits like; ‘Guide Me O’, “Nkwa Abodoo”, “Obiara Nte Se Wo”,^[4] including the controversial single, “Nsem Pii”.^[5] In 2016, he released an album “OXYGEN” which featured songs such as “Adooso” , “Yaa Pae” and “Chimo“. In 2021, he released his 6th vocal album (‘Keteke’).^[6] As a music tutor, he released two instructional DVDs on bass and lead guitar and also 3 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 Ewurama Dua Anto, who also sings. They had three children (two sons and a daughter).^[7] KODA died on 21 April 2024, aged 45, following a brief illness.^[2][8]

Credits: