Kwaw Kese
Rapper Kwaw Kese says he has been struggling with depression, spanning the past decade.
In an interview with 3Music, Kwaw Kese disclosed that his battle with mental health challenges began in 2014, following the tragic murder of his manager, Fennec Okyere.
CEO of Madtime Entertainment, Fennec Okyere, was brutally killed by unknown assailants who broke into his residence in Accra on March 13, 2014.
The loss of his close friend and colleague plunged Kwaw Kese into a spiral of grief and emotional turmoil, marking the onset of his prolonged struggle with depression.
Reflecting on the traumatic incident, Kwaw Kese revealed the profound impact it had on his mental wellbeing, stating, “It’s hard to say this but for like 10 years, I’ve been depressed.”
Despite receiving messages of support and encouragement from fans urging him to continue making music, Kwaw Kese found himself grappling with inner turmoil and a sense of profound loss.
Compounding his anguish was the lack of societal support for individuals struggling with mental health issues in Ghana. Fearful of being stigmatised and ridiculed, Kwaw Kese chose to deal with his demons alone, eschewing professional help and opting instead for solitary coping mechanisms such as travel and prayer.
“In Ghana, there’s this perception that when you tell your problems, you become a laughing stock,” Kwaw Kese lamented, highlighting the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health struggles in the country.
Despite the immense challenges he faced, Kwaw Kese resolved to embark on a journey of self-healing and renewal in 2024. Determined to honour the memory of his late manager and reignite his passion for music, the resilient rapper expressed his commitment to reclaiming his place in the industry.
“It’s this year that I finally said to myself that it’s enough. You have to make your brother proud and do things that would bring you back to the level you guys were when he was around,” Kwaw Kese affirmed, signaling his determination to overcome adversity, and emerge stronger than ever before.