Why Is 'Baafira' President Mahama�s Favourite Song?

Ghana's first gentleman, His Excellency President John Dramni Mahama is a Christian who would take a series of rhythmical steps with any gospel song – but after a hectic day from office, he cools down with some circular tunes from the BET Best International Act winner - Stonebwoy.

Among the dancehall artiste tracks, President Mahama revealed that his favourite is ‘Baafira’ which features Sarkodie – he also lauded Ghanaian music during an interview with Uniq FM in Accra on Wednesday to mark International Youth Day.

Many have questioned the president’s choice of songs – why “Baafira”? - Is that a message from the president to Ghanaians? – Or it is the lyrics, music, the singer’s voice or a culmination of the three?

Well, experts in music have admitted that the lyrical content and the delivery of a song appeals to music lovers – thus, if the song has groove, attitude and swagger, its sells and very enjoyable.

However, overproduction and overly melodic with no riff or funk value will certainly turn any music fanatic down.

Going by the professionals views on what attract music to persons – then I will not hesitate to say President Mahama is much in-love with the Baafira lyrics with its communique chorus.

Maybe you might know the song very well but not familiar with the lyrics - let me help you out here with only Stonebwoy’s verses.

Sing along… Verse 1

Less talk do more
Mi a roll up mi tin inna mi corner eeee
Dem dey spread rumour
Rasta beji magana eeee
Big up de ghetto youth dem frm honolulu. To Ghana eeeee
See we dey burn tumour highgrade inna we nose it’s on yah
Any man try kill we vibes we no work with dem
A no dem weh we a work with
Any man try stop we smile we no work with dem ano dem weh we a work with

Then the infamous chorus

Baaafira!!eeee
Laalalilaloo laalalilaloo
I jux commot my eyes cos I see many many pass dis one …Baaafira

the verse 2 says…

Many many rise
Many many fall
Many many Price Many many dull
Many sacrifice but some get all
Someday dey rob Peter to go pay Paul
Anyway so long as we live and pray Jah na lead we astray mmm hmmmm
Dnt look back! Dnt take chat
Jux kill dem in a million way
Baaafira!!

Indeed the lyrical content of the song really send a message across – but would that be the president’s message to his critics, haters and destructors in recent times? - Just asking - because President was recently tagged with Daddy Lumba’s “Yentie Obiaa” as a message to the opposition New Patriotic Party [NPP] - well I don’t want to read politics into the president’s new favourite song “Baaafira”.

But let’s play the guessing game – not long ago, a 36-year-old Charles Antwi who is currently serving a 10-year-jail term for carrying a weapon at President John Mahama’s church with the mindset to “kill” the president has his portion from the song which says – “Any man try kill we vibes we no work with dem. Anyway so long as we live and pray Jah na lead we astray”.

Is that a message to Charles Antwi and whoever is behind the attempted assassination of the president? – Probably YES!

Remember the president said during his interview with Uniiq FM that – “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” – so therefore as “long as he prays ‘Jah’ will lead him astray”. 

Focusing on the chorus of the song with the president’s assurance to the striking doctors’ issue is coincidental.

How? – The Ghana Medical Association declared a nationwide strike action a week ago after their negotiations with government on their conditions of service hit a deadlock.

President Mahama indicated to them [doctors] clearly that he will not spend a cedi outside the 2014-2015 budget on unplanned expenditure – According to him, nobody must die because of an illegal strike - “the strike is illegal, absolutely illegal”

Despite President Mahama’s assertion, the doctors are yet to don their white coat to attend to patient – that has compelled government to deny striking doctors their August salary.

Yes! – The president is talking and acting tough to doctors this time since possibly - this will not be their [doctors] last time to go on strike under his tenure as president.

Perhaps, the President’s message to the striking doctors is “Baafira” – President Mahama is not perturbed anymore because he has seen many strikes in office than any other president in the history of Ghana - “I jux commot my eyes cos I see many many pass dis one …Baaafira” - fantastic chorus as a message to the doctors?

Well, from “Yentie Obiaa” to “Baafira” – who knows what the president next favourite song will be.

However, I strongly pray it doesn’t be Shatta Wale’s abusive controversial tracks which is not even suitable on radio – [Laugh out loud]

Sarkodie I think has a long way to catch President Mahama’s eye again after his recent “Anti Mahama” songs which include “The masses,” “Inflation,” and “Dumsor” - situations the president is yet to solve in the country.

Mr. President I must say your choice of songs are controversial yet awesome and interesting. Bravo!