Ghanaian sitcom star leaves lasting legacy in Kwahu
The late
Gyearbuor Asante, who famously played long-term mature student Matthew in hit
British sitcom Desmond’s, was also a royal.
During his 14-year tenure as Nkosuohene (development chief) of Kwahu Tafo, Humphrey split his time between Britain and Ghana, raising much-needed funds for the area.
In
Britain, he helped mastermind a comedy and musical gala in 2004 which ran annually until
2014, at London's Hackney Empire.
Talking of talent, Barclay has been flying the flag for artisans and artists in Ghana.
One artist in particular is Accra-based Christopher Charway who was commissioned to paint scenes from Kwahu for the Kwahu Tourism Initiative.
Some of
these paintings were put up for sale at a recent charity event organised
by The Ghana Society. Half of the proceeds from the sale of his paintings went to
Friends of Tafo.
And on the subject of fame, Desmond's is undergoing a revival on British screens thanks to the airing on TV channel London Live. Despite being 26 years old, it seems no other Black British comedy has been able to surpass it in terms of quality and duration.
“It is
not that the talent is not there: the fault lies with the TV bosses who don’t
want to make it happen — and when they do, they don’t go to the right black
talent, because they are ignorant of its existence and they don’t dare give it
a chance.
Gyearbuor Asante: Image credit Carole Latimer |
He came
from Tafo, Kwahu, in Ghana's Eastern Region but rather than follow tradition and
become a chief, the young thespian got himself circumcised instead.
The reason, according to details from charity the Friends of Tafo (Kwahu), was to rule himself out of enstoolment.
The reason, according to details from charity the Friends of Tafo (Kwahu), was to rule himself out of enstoolment.
He then
left Ghana in the late 1960s to become an actor and the rest, as they say, is
history. But life
has a funny way of panning out and although Gyearbuor never became a chief, his
close friend Humphrey Barclay, who incidentally was the executive producer of
Desmond's, did!
"I
met Gyearbuor (or Christopher as he was known in UK then) in 1972, when he was
doing such shows as Crown Court and so on," he told MisBeee. "I
visited Ghana many times as his guest and when he died in 2000 at the age of 58
of clogged-up arteries, I was the only obruni (white man) at his
funeral.”
That’s
where the Tafohene (the chief of Tafo) - Nana Ameyaw Gyensiama III – came up with the idea of making Humphrey a chief. It is reported that the Tafohene said that the chieftaincy role
Humphrey took was the one Gyearbuor died before he could accept.
Fitting,
when you consider Humphrey's official title is Kwadwo Nana Ameyaw Gyearbuor Yiadom I.
Development
chief
During his 14-year tenure as Nkosuohene (development chief) of Kwahu Tafo, Humphrey split his time between Britain and Ghana, raising much-needed funds for the area.
Nkosuohene Humphrey Barclay © Friends of Tafo |
“The
Empire Strikes Black' and 'Strictly Come Laughing' galas relied on the phenomenal
goodwill of stars from all over the black comedy circuit, who always gave their
services entirely freely,” Humphrey said.
Monies
raised, which amounted to £100,000 over the decade, went to Friends of Tafo -
the UK charity established after Gyearbuor's passing.
Humphrey retired as Nkosuohene in 2014, but remains an elder in the community.
During his tenure, he oversaw the rebuilding of Kwahu Tafo Senior High
School. In 2003, the school consisted of one row of classrooms, with four
pupils and no paid teachers. By 2007, it was transformed into a major campus
with 650 enrolled students, 25 staff, and government recognition.
"It
was a great privilege," said Humphrey. "When one’s doing charity work
it’s usual to be channelled into one particular area — say, old people,
poverty, education, health.
“But as
development chief for a whole community you are engaged in everything — from
lavatories to music! And as with my television work, what charms me is being
involved in the development of talent."
Ghanaian
artists
Talking of talent, Barclay has been flying the flag for artisans and artists in Ghana.
One artist in particular is Accra-based Christopher Charway who was commissioned to paint scenes from Kwahu for the Kwahu Tourism Initiative.
One Man No Chop © Christopher Charway |
"I
love the vigour and life that’s in his paintings," said Humphrey, who
still regularly visits Ghana. "Christopher pours his soul on to the canvas
every day, and can make us see patterns and vibrancy in the world around us.
"Once
you’ve seen a Charway painting, you will never look at Ghanaian traffic, or
fishermen, or musicians the same way again. He deserves to be better
known."
Black British comedy
And on the subject of fame, Desmond's is undergoing a revival on British screens thanks to the airing on TV channel London Live. Despite being 26 years old, it seems no other Black British comedy has been able to surpass it in terms of quality and duration.
These
days TV is ruled by fear: when Channel 4 commissioned 1980s Black comedy No
Problem! and Desmond's from me, there was imagination, a sense of responsibility — and trust."
Ghana or Guyana
Desmond's creator Trix Worrell was committed to remaining
culturally authentic in the sitcom. So that is why Desmond and Shirley, played
by Norman Beaton and Carmen Munroe, played characters from their native Guyana.
Even Shirley's sister Susu, played by Mona Hammond, had a sub-text written into
her character to explain why her accent was Jamaican and not Guyanese. But what
was a constant debate in my house was why the clearly Ghanaian-accented Matthew
was 'from The Gambia'.
There was
a concern that the phonetic similarity between Ghana and Guyana would confuse
audiences, Humphrey explained. It was Gyearbuor that elected to change his
character's home country to The Gambia to avoid confusion. All
the African sayings he quoted in the sitcom, however, remained Ghanaian!
After Desmond's
After Norman's passing, a spin-off show featuring fellow cast member Porkpie briefly aired but failed to garner the same following as Desmond's and was scrapped.
After Norman's passing, a spin-off show featuring fellow cast member Porkpie briefly aired but failed to garner the same following as Desmond's and was scrapped.
With
Gyearbuor gone and Carmen in her 80s, Humphrey confirmed that there are no plans for
a return of the show....not even a one-off special. But
Humphrey is still in touch with some of the cast.
"I
see Carmen and took her to Ghana a few years ago. Robbie (Lee Stanley) supported us
throughout the Hackney shows," he said. "Ram John (Porkpie) used to appear in them too. We are all
good friends and very thankful that we had such a good time and did such a good
show together — which is still funny today!"
And Trix’s son is a would-be film
maker with an exciting project in mind, Humphrey added.
Graceful
Gyearbuour
But the
last word should go to honouring Gyearbuor.
"He
was wickedly funny, passionate about acting, and, as
one of his admirers said, 'full of grace'.
And that is rather
charming, because he was Kwabena, born on Tuesday, and in the old English rhyme
‘Tuesday’s child is full of grace’," Humphrey said.
For more on charity Friends of Tafo, Gyearbuor or Christopher Charway's work, visit www.friendsoftafo.org
By Kirsty Osei-Bempong
All comments are welcome on this page. If you are having trouble posting on the Google+ page, please share your views via Facebook here or tweet @MisBeee
Please be aware that you may not reproduce, republish, modify or commercially exploit this content without our prior written consent.
For more on charity Friends of Tafo, Gyearbuor or Christopher Charway's work, visit www.friendsoftafo.org
By Kirsty Osei-Bempong
All comments are welcome on this page. If you are having trouble posting on the Google+ page, please share your views via Facebook here or tweet @MisBeee
Please be aware that you may not reproduce, republish, modify or commercially exploit this content without our prior written consent.
I am watching the reruns right now in NC and I love Ghanaian he was a great actor and a compassionate man
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