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ABOUT KSM

KSM, as he is known for short, is unquestionably the finest stage actor in the country today. He has performed and thrilled audiences in the United States and Canada. His one-man-play, Thoughts Of A Confused Black Man, run off- Broadway in New York for five months.

KSM returned to Ghana in January of 1996, after 14 years in the United States and his impact was immediately felt. Though a writer, Actor and Director by profession, he introduced himself to the Ghanaian public as a controversial radio talk show host. He jolted the capital with his brash, abrasive, confrontational 'Shock Radio.' This unconventional style shot his program Talk Shop straight to the top. The program has been on air for four years now and remarkably, it is still the hottest, boldest and most listened to Talk program in the capital.

KSM's background is not in radio. His first degree is in Theatre Arts, obtained at Trinity-College in Hartford Connecticut, with a concentration in acting and directing. He then enrolled in New York University in the MFA (Masters of Fine Arts Program) in film production. In his own words 'Radio was an accident, just stumbled into it. Even though he stumbled' into radio, his dedication and innovation has made him the highest rated talk show host in the country.

After making his mark on radio, KSM decided in 1998 to go back to his first love; acting in original one-man-plays. He wrote and performed what has since become the biggest theatrical box office hit play in Ghana: The Saga Of The Returnee. For a whole year, the Saga played to a sell out audiences in the capital, and in 1999, he won the ACRAG award for the nation's Best Actor. The Saga of the Returnee was more than a one-man-play, It was an educational experience. This is what a critic wrote of his performance-.

The show was sold out. The audience was enthusiastic. For 90 active minutes KSM thrilled the audience with raw comedy that had everyone laughing, many to the point of tears. When the play ended, the standing ovation was spontaneous and well deserved.

It is rare to find performance of KSM's calibre anywhere in the world. The acting was impeccable, the energy level was unbelievable, the story was captivating and the audience was simply astounded. The most intriguing part of the performance is how KSM is able to blend exhilarating comedy with strong relevant social commentary. He makes you laugh and while laughing, he injects you with doses of serious social commentary.

His ability to blend exhilarating humour with social commentary has earned him tremendous respect as an artist. In March of 1999 he was the featured performer for the delegates attending an international Conference cm African Telecom.

He got a standing ovation at the International Conference Centre when he took a satiric swipe at the problems of African Telecom in a short one-man-play.

In November 2000, he performed in Durban, (South Africa) for the delegates attending The Anti-Corruption meeting organized by Transparency International. He got the same reaction after his 10 minute skit on corruption in Africa; a spontaneous standing ovation!

KSM stands tall above his contemporaries in the Ghanaian Theatre Circuit. It is clear that his experience in the United States has had a significant and noticeable impact on his creative outlook and that has given him a remarkable edge. His experience in the United States and exposure off- Broadway has given him a very broad worldview and this is evident in his blend of comedy. His humour transcends the boundaries of Ghana and every one can relate to it. This is what another critic had to say:

KSM ability to make us laugh at ourselves is one of the main strengths of his show. The other unique element is the universality of the humour. In the audience were some nationals from different African countries, there were many Americans, British and French and they all had tremendous laughs. One American from the embassy commented. 'This is as good as any show I have seen no Broadway.

Last year, his impact was felt on television when his production company Sapphire Communication Ghana Limited introduced his series "Build Your Ark" It is noteworthy that KSM wrote and directed all the 26 episodes for two seasons back to back. This made him the first producer, writer and director in Ghana to single-handedly write 26 episodes of as hit television series. Build your Ark in hiatus will return in the next season.

KSM is the founder of and the CEO of Sapphire Ghana Limited. Sapphire is the first and the only radio and television programme syndication company in Ghana. Sapphire programmes are syndicated on many regional FM stations across the nation. Regarding television production, KSM thinks that it is regrettable that television programmes in Africa are dominated by European and American content.

His dream is to create and develop local African content with quality production values that will make them competitive internationally. "I want to be able to watch a quality African sitcom or drama series, featuring African actors, written, produced and directed by African on international television screens in Europe and in America. Africa can compete and we should.

His strengths in the arts are that he has a worldview that transcends the traditional Africa barriers. He hopes to bring that energy to bear in his upcoming sitcom "FROM AMERICA WITH LOVE". Although it is being shot in Ghana, KSM believes it will do well in the international market.

In the US and Canada, he thrilled audiences with Thoughts of A Confused Black Man. Back in Ghana, he has set new standards in the theatre with his box office hit THE SAGA OF THE RETURNEE. His latest play, POLITICALLY INCORRECT has been premiered and also received spontaneous ovation.

KSM is not fully contented with his achievements to date and the burning desire still rages within. He believes that there is a great deal more he has to offer and accomplish to and to learn. He is especially looking forward to a world tour to showcase his work on stage. South Africa is the first on his list, to be followed by the countries in the Caribbean, then to America and Europe.