Ghanaian gospel musician Kofi Owusu Dua Anto, known as KODA has reportedly passed on today after battling some illness. The Takoradi-born multi-instrumentalist’s death is said to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday, April 21, 2024.
A source close to the singer, songwriter cum producer reportedly broke the news of his passing to Metro TV.
About KODA
KODA started his music career very early when he started playing instruments before being enrolled in music classes by his mother at age 10. He learned to play the guitar during his time in the music school. Later in his life when he enrolled at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science an Technology (KNUST) Kumasi, he became the schools mass choir director.
After graduation, he co-wrote the Awurade Ei album for KNUST’s God’s Instruments at KODED Studios in his hometown of Takoradi. The album contained critically acclaimed songs including “Awurade Ei” (“Se Woma Wonsa Soa”), “Tumi” and “Onyame” Ye D’awase”.
KODA released his debut album, Nyame Beye (God’ll do it) in 2006 before later releasing Waye Wie (He’s Done It) in 2008. Waye Wie had songs including Zion’s Song, Amen and Poma. Also in 2008, KODA released two Christian jazz albums My Passion and Joy before he released a third gospel album Black and White which contained Guide Me O, Nkwa Abodoo and Obiara Nte Se Wo. Oxygen, was released in 2016 and contained songs such as Adooso, Yaa Pae and Chimo. And in 2018, he released Hosanna before releasing his last album Keteke in 2021.
He was a music tutor and released two instructional DVDs on lead guitar and bass. KODA won Producer of the Year at the Africa Gospel Music Awards in 2014 before winning Record of the Year at the 2014 Ghana Music Awards in 2015.