Nana Ama McBrown, a beloved Ghanaian actress known for her dynamic roles and engaging television presence, celebrated her 47th birthday in a way that touched the hearts of many. Instead of the usual festivities or parties, McBrown chose to mark her special day with a profound act of generosity. In an interview with Bola Ray, host of Starr Chat on Star FM in Accra, she revealed her decision to release 47 prisoners, one for each year of her life.
Reflecting on the unique way she celebrated her birthday, McBrown said, “Every year, there’s a feeling. It’s natural. It comes to me what to do. I pray about it.” She had initially planned to release a pregnant woman from prison in Kumasi, but by the time she was ready, a church had already done so. Determined to make a difference, she decided to expand her vision. “Instead of one person, why can’t I do something to mark my birthday?” she pondered during the interview.
Her collaboration with Crime Check Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to supporting inmates and ex-convicts, became the perfect platform for her plans. She reached out to Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, the CEO and host of Crime Check TV, to discuss her intentions. “When I spoke to him, I was like, no, I still want to do it…So, we spoke. And when I said that, he was very happy. Why not, Nana?” she recounted.
With Kwarteng’s help, they identified prisoners whose offenses were minor and whose fines were less than 5,000 Ghanaian cedis. “I don’t have too much money,” McBrown admitted. “So let’s look at the people that are committed and are something less than five thousand. If we can do that, then I can afford it.” They calculated that for under 5,000 cedis per person, they could release a significant number of inmates, ultimately settling on the symbolic figure of 47.
The financial aspect of the endeavor was no small feat. As McBrown explained, “Sometimes the money I save for those things, sometimes it’s not even enough. I have to go to other coffers.” Despite these challenges, she was determined to fund the project herself, without seeking sponsorship. “I decided not to even go to my sponsors because most of the time, if you look at the things I donate… this year, it’s from my own coffers,” she shared with a sense of fulfillment.
Bola Ray, moved by her story, highlighted the depth of her giving spirit. “Forty-seven to mark your forty-seventh birthday. That’s incredible.” McBrown’s response was simple but profound: “There are some things that when I do it, I get satisfied inwardly. I feel more than fulfilled.”
McBrown’s actions have resonated deeply within the community, reminding everyone of the power of selfless giving. By choosing to celebrate her life through an act of profound kindness, she has set a remarkable example of compassion and charity. As she concluded in her interview, “Just to mark the peace in me right now, I had to do that. And I think it’s the right thing.”
For Nana Ama McBrown, this birthday was not just about adding another year to her life but about adding life to the years of those in need.
Inspiring Net 