Along the course of Nenyi’s illustrious journey, “Travel On Traveller,” the trademark signature to his messages on Facebook, together with the presence of a locally designed African cloth over his shoulder, bestowed on him a distinguished and unique image. Today as we bid farewell to Nenyi Embi Quaison-Sackey, this image is remembered and celebrated by family, friends, music lovers and countless admirers all over the world. 

Before Nenyi reached the world stage, he was one of two hundred or so greenhorns admitted to Mfantsipim School in September 1973 and it was on Kwabotwe Hill, that our bonds of friendship were forged and subsequently sustained for over half a century. 

 Upon arrival at Kwabotwe, Nenyi was assigned to the Lower Dormitory of Freeman-Aggrey House and to Form 1A. We mostly called him Nenyi, till the adventures of our teenage years brought along nicknames, and then he acquired “Jake Solo.” Jake Solo was a Nigerian guitarist who played for Osibisa and in that nickname was already recognised by mates for his dexterity with the guitar. His middle name Embi, for reasons unknown, never made the charts! 

Nenyi was born into a musical family and his talent in this field blossomed during our days at Mfantsipim. The guitar was clearly his favourite instrument, but he was also adept at keyboards. Soon enough, he teamed up with other students who were also lovers of jazz band music to form a band or two, the most memorable being Majestic Breezmen. Everyone was extremely appreciative of his musical skills which he graciously displayed, either in small intimate sessions with his cot mates or on the big stage during Saturday night entertainment and later on, at the inter-school pop-chain events. 

 Beyond music, Nenyi displayed a calm but sure manner throughout our stay at Mfantsipim. He was genuinely friendly and caring and bonded well with his dormitory, class, form and bandmates. These traits that portrayed his humanity, remained with him to the end. 

After our ‘O’ levels in 1978, there was a period of ten to twenty years, during which Nenyi’s pursuit of education and various other endeavours, created a hiatus in our active communication. During that period, Nenyi had a brief sojourn in the UK and then moved to the United States. He studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where his association with Bill Macpherson began and eventually led to their formation of Native Vibe, the Afro Jazz music group that has thrilled fans all over the world. 

With the emergence of social media, our WhatsApp platform, created in 2013, reconnected mates in Ghana with those in the diaspora, including Nenyi. He was active on the platform and used it to comment on various topical issues, but even more importantly, also used the platform to alert us to his occasional visits to Ghana, either for family reasons or to perform with Native Vibe at the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill. Nenyi, we recall these visits with nostalgia but also with some pain as you are no longer with us. Your performance on January 28, 2023, at +233 had several mates present to cheer you on. We also had drink-ups at Afrikiko and Ghana Club whenever possible. 

We were looking forward to your January 2024 concert and your return to Ghana this year for good. The old family home in Winneba was going to be renovated to become your heaven on earth! 

Regrettably, we began to receive hints of the illness that had set in around December 2023. Nevertheless, from then, till that fateful Wednesday, May 22nd, Nenyi “fought as the saints who nobly fought of old” to defeat the fever. With the care, support and devotion of his dear wife, Unabette, he flew from the US to Ghana in February and fully participated in his father-in-law’s 90th birthday celebrations, attended lodge meetings, family gatherings and spent time at his beloved Ghana Club. 

Nenyi, you have left too soon! You put up a well-fought fight here on earth but God has called you to heaven to “strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments” (Amos 6:5). 

Our condolences go out to your wife Unabette, your son Egya and the entire family. 

MOBA’78 will miss you whilst we all await the heavenly, ”blest communion and fellowship divine.” 

Nenyi Embi Quaison-Sackey. Travel On! 

Da Yie. 

July 2024