Augustine Kofi Owusu Dua Anto, popularly known as KODA, was a talented Ghanaian gospel music minister known for his unique style of delivering contemporary Gospel music.
He made a significant impact on the Gospel music scene, producing timeless tunes for well-known Gospel acts both in Ghana and abroad, such as Pastor Joe Beecham, the late Danny Nettey, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Nii Okai, Pastor Helen Yawson, Joyful Way Incorporated, and Nathaniel Bassey.
KODA’s music was characterized by strong messages that addressed topics that many preachers had avoided, earning him the nickname “PREACHER’s PREACHER.” Despite being behind the scenes for many years, KODA also released songs he wrote, produced, and sang, impressing audiences with his powerful messages and world-class tunes.
His love for music began at a young age, and he developed his skills playing the guitar in a music class his mother enrolled him in at the age of 10. While at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), he served as the mass choir director and was involved in various musical groups.
KODA’s unconventional style blended his Western influences with African sounds, creating music that resonated deeply with listeners. His production work on albums like ‘Awurade Ei’ for KNUST’s “God’s Instruments” and Nii Okai‘s ‘Moko Be’ and ‘Gye W’ayeyi’ albums received widespread recognition in Ghana.
Despite his vast experience and success, KODA continued to produce music that bridged cultural divides, offering a sound that both Western and African audiences could appreciate.
This made his work exceptional and deeply appreciated even by world-renowned musicians and Africans based in the diaspora. One could be sure to hear a unique groove of indigenous Ghanaian or some great African rhythm woven into some impressive Western music whenever they listened to a song produced by KODA.
His message was purely Christian. He was a deep-rooted believer who believed in true Christianity, the teachings of the Holy Bible, and how Christians should be guided by this unadulterated word of God.
Over the years, KODA released songs that blessed Ghana and the world at large and went on to win some notable awards. Some of these awards were: “Record of the Year” for Nkwa Boodoo at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards; “Producer of the year” at the Africa Gospel Music Awards in 2014. He was nominated for this same award in 2012.
His song “Nsem pii” was also nominated at the 2012 Christian Community Music Awards under the category “song with a cause.” He currently had four vocal and two gospel jazz albums to his credit. “Nyame Beye” which was the first and “Waye ewie” which had hits including ‘Waye ewie’, ‘Zion’s song’, ‘Poma’, ‘Amen’ and others. His third album “Black & White” had many hits like; ‘Guide Me O’, ‘Nkwa Abodoo’, ‘Obiara Nte Se Wo’, including the controversial hit single, ‘Nsem Pii’.
His latest project, released in 2016, was OXYGEN containing hit songs like “Adooso ”, ‘Yaa Pae’, ‘Chimo’ and many other soul-inspiring tunes. As a music tutor, he released two instructional DVDs on bass and lead guitar and also 3 live DVDs of his major concerts; ‘KODA live 2008′, Black and White live 2013’ and ‘Oxygen Live 2016″
His project ASOR (which means “church” in the Fante local dialect) was scheduled to run in 3 phases.
The first phase was a concert and live recording of the album project.
The other phase of this ASOR project was the KODA TOUR in 3 major cities in Ghana. These are TAKORADI where he hailed from, ACCRA, and finally KUMASI.
KODA was married to “Ewurama Dua Anto,” also an anointed singer with an album to her credit, and they had 2 sons and a baby girl.