Ghanaian music duo DopeNation shared the details of their fourteen-year estrangement from their father, reconnecting when their mother changed careers, and the family moved to Takoradi.
DopeNation, comprising Michael and Tony Boafo, recalled how their Ewe mother moved to Takoradi for work without initially informing them that their Fante father resided there. Before the move, their mother worked as a caterer.
They highlighted that prior to their first meeting, there was no communication with their father. Their mother had informed them that their dad had traveled, giving them little insight into his absence. They mentioned that it didn’t bother them much as they had each other.
Touching on when they got to Takoradi, they said, “Our mother used to work for Unilever. Our dad worked as a principal at Takoradi Technical Institute, and she resided in a guest house, we were at the boys’ quarters.”
Meeting their father after years apart was described as an interesting experience. The recognition of their shared dark skin with their father marked a significant turning point. They humorously remarked, “Since our mother has fairly pale skin, we have always been curious about our ancestry. We look like dad in certain aspects, but altogether, we actually look like our mother.”
Their father reassumed the role of a father figure through gestures like buying them things, picking them up from school, and showing them his properties. Gradually, they forged a strong bond.
While they acknowledge that their current bond with him may not be very strong, they plan to visit him in the future, keeping the door open for further connection.