My Great Experience With Super OD

I lost my father at exactly19. Being the elder son with four other brothers and three sisters, I realized very early that to survive in Ghana and help my mother fully, I need to do something which will generate some income. Thus, on December 5, 1976, when I got my driving license, while still studying at school, I became a taxi driver plying on the streets of Accra.

One day, while working, I was stopped by Super OD, the famous comedian who had

played a role in a classic Akan television drama series known as Osofo Dadzie or Pastor Dadzie. Using television to promote education and entertainment on aspects of life in Ghana, Osofo Dadzie became one of the most favorite programs watched on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation‘s TV.

Prior to being stopped by the comedian, there were rumors throughout the city that the group in which this famous comedian was a member, had been involved in a serious road accident with casualties. The truth is that they were involved in an accident but no one died, only a few had sustained injuries.

This famous comedian who hailed from Abodom-Swedru, in the central region of Ghana, was exceptionally hilarious. He was regarded as one of Ghanaian‘s best film actors. Many times in conversations, I heard that the comedian had a small provision shop in his hometown.

That's true, Super OD joined me to a nearby shop, where he had already purchased cartons of assorted goods, mainly sugar, soap, milk, sardines, and other canned foods. We loaded the goods behind the boot of the taxi and he took his seat at the front. "We are going to Swedru," he said.

Along the road after Kaneshie, the taxi came to a halt at a barrier used by the police as a checkpoint. The officers on duty recognized the comedian and one of them asked him for a tip. Super OD puts his hand in his breast pocket and pulled out a few notes.

I guess the notes were in small denominations, because as soon as he gave the money to the officer, I heard, "please master, this money is not enough for us."

The comedian pulled out his clean-shaven head like that of the famous Telly Savalas of Kojak fame, out of the taxi‘s front window, he asked the policeman and his colleagues, each one of you, as he points to the officers, who can tell me what he has done for me today? The officer was quiet.

The question from the Super OD silenced him at once. After the officer failed to give him an answer, he asked me to move along. In reality, the police officer is the one to give orders before I leave, but I think the question he wasn‘t expecting from the comedian paralyzed him.

On the way, he told me his story. According to him, he was a toddler when his father died. It was his mother that took care of him and made him the man he is today. His story brought back the memories of my father‘s experience when he was neglected by his father.

"Education is very good. Never abuse the chance when you get the opportunity to get an education. But when you never have it to a higher level, just like how I couldn‘t get a formal education because of poverty, you can still achieve something in your life when you try very hard," he said.

"I was once a taxi driver like you. But I searched my talents. Being funny is one, I had it from my mother. I have a good voice to sing, that is two and I can act. I put all of them together and became successful. Today my career has taken me to many places in Europe, Canada, and the United States of America.

When I reached his hometown at Swedru, the comedian took me first to his shop to unload the goods, then afterward drove him to his house. It was a beautiful house, close to the street. As a hard-working actor and comedian, he deserves to live at such a beautiful place, that's what I thought.

At home, Super OD gave me a very good reception. He offered me some food to eat. Without asking him the cost of the trip, he gave a good amount of money I wasn't expecting.

"You are a very good man, that‘s the reason I gave you this amount," he told me. He went to his living room and put on music, began singing and dancing. I can vividly remember the song, even though I have no clue about the name of the singer and the song which goes like this "Agyeeei Egya Atta Wuo ya."

He went back into the house and came back with a bottle of whiskey ready to serve me. "Sir, I don‘t drink, I said. It is true. I don't drink that time, besides since I have to drive back to Accra, it wouldn't be good for me to take any alcohol.

I requested for some water, instead. Super OD laughed, striking his shaved head with his palms, as he used to do on the television and said, "what kind of man are you? By God‘s grace, I have survived an accident, instead of treating yourself with whiskey, you are requesting for some water."

My experience with Super OD was one of the happiest moments in my life. He was too hilarious. The quantity of the drink I took to please him was very small but since I don't drink, it kicked me. The drink had an effect on me.

While driving to Accra, I realized my mistake. As a non-drinker, I should have never taken the drink at all. Behind the steering wheel, the effect of the drink impaired my ability to drive properly. I felt tired and weak. I decided to park the taxi at a shady place for some rest, but it was impossible.

It was very sunny and there weren‘t any resting points along the road. When I finally got to the police barrier where the drama took place between the police and the comedian, I should have retired to get some rest. Instead, I made my mind to go home and sleep.

A few kilometers from the barrier, the road was under heavy repairs. There was a road sign cautioning drivers to reduce speed, but I failed to observe the warning in time. I forcefully ran into the vehicle in front of him, damaging my taxi and the other car.

I was slightly injured on my right foot when I tried to slam on my brake. The owner of the vehicle inspected the extent of the damage his vehicle had suffered. Since it's was my fault, I quickly accepted the responsibility to repair both vehicles.

How could the death of this great comedian escape my attention? It was on ModernGhana news, this week, I read about the death of Super OD. I missed him dearly like how I have missed both my parents who have entered the realms of eternity.

May his soul rest in peace. The excerpt of this story was taken from my book "The Writer Died," available at https://www.amazon.com/Joel-Savage/e/B008SCTYI6

ABOUT AUTHOR

Joel Savage, © 2019

Joel Savage is a Ghanaian-Belgian journalist and author. The accredited press-card holder of the Flemish Journalists Association once contributed regularly to the features column of the Daily Graphic, The Mirror, Ghanaian Times and the Weekly Spectator. The writer currently lives in Belgium.,