He was the first runner-up in the first edition of the Stars of the Future music reality show and was looking forward to a bright future in music but singer, William Ramzy Amui aka Ramzy, rather found himself in the Nsawam Maximum Prison.
He has been there over the last five years and led a choir to thrill President Mahama when he visited the prison recently.
Ramzy and eight others pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, armed robbery and dishonestly receiving under Article 29, Clause 146 of the Criminal Code after which they were jailed 10 years each in 2007.
He, however, has not lost the passion for music and is a lead singer in one of the choirs in the prison.
Speaking to Showbiz during the President’s visit, an elated Ramzy said he was doing well and putting his talent to good use. He was hopeful of coming out as a reformed character five years from now.
Like many others in prison, Ramzy was hopeful that the President’s consideration of remission of sentences on account of good behaviour would affect him too. He could not hide his joy at seeing President Mahama. He sang a song he had specially composed thanking the President for remembering them in the prisons.
After the performance of the song, by Ramzy and the rest of the choir, President Mahama applauded and remarked: “I am really touched by your song. That was good”.
Ramzy placed second in the maiden edition of Stars of the Future music reality show organised by Charterhouse in 2006. Irene Logan won that contest and Efya, then known as Jane Awindor, placed third.
Ramzy went on to audition for the M-Net West Africa Idol contest in 2007 in Nigeria. He returned home after qualifying for the next stage of the competition but his dream of being a music idol was dashed when he was arrested and put on trial in February 2007, just days before he was scheduled to go back to Nigeria.
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