Jamaicans are acutely aware that Africa is their ancestral homeland, particularly among the Rastafarian community, and numerous reggae musicians incorporate themes about Africa into their lyrics.

Therefore, as a Jamaican, I have always wanted to visit Africa, but my interest intensified while I was sharing an apartment with a Ghanaian in Vienna, Austria. Given that my roommate was a native of Ghana, I decided to make his country my initial destination in Africa. Shortly after I decided to visit Ghana in 2008, a woman from Ghana reached out to me online with a photograph and asked if we could be friends. I had never participated in such online interactions to make friends before, but given my plans to travel to her country, I accepted her request.

Approximately two months after we established our friendship, she successfully convinced me of a sad story she told me regarding her family issues. Additionally, she expressed her desire to complete her education and asked if I could assist her. As a result, I began to transfer funds to her monthly to cover her tuition fees. Roughly eight months later, she presented a male individual to me over the phone, whom she identified as her cousin. He also requested financial assistance, which I provided twice, in small amounts.

I recall her frequently expressing her excitement about showing me around during my visit to Ghana. However, when I ultimately decided to travel there, she suggested that it would be safer to meet in a neighboring country, as her uncle might pose a threat to me. After all, he disapproves of her being with a man.

Earlier, unusual behaviors had already indicated signs of deceit, so it was evident that I had fallen victim to a scam. I found it difficult to understand why someone I was helping to obtain an education would engage in such actions! I became so disappointed that I decided to travel to Ghana earlier than I planned to have the law enforcement arrest the scammers. 

After I completed the travel arrangements to Ghana in 2009, my roommate requested one of his friends, who happened to be a pastor, to assist me during my stay. The pastor informed the scammers that I was on the way to Ghana, but that I would be spending a few days in another country before my arrival. However, the truth is, I arrived in Ghana four days before the time they were expecting me, so that we could plan with the law enforcement to arrest them.

On the day the fraudsters were expecting me, they assured the Pastor that they would arrive at the airport to meet me; however, while a female undercover police officer, who had accompanied us, was ready to arrest them, they failed to show up.

The pastor and I made the decision to visit the residence of a lady whose address I had learned through our correspondence. This location is situated in a community known as Alajo, which is recognized as one of the most impoverished slums in Accra, Ghana. Upon our arrival, we discovered only a Church, and none of the individuals we inquired with about the lady appeared to have any knowledge of her.

Subsequently, we proceeded to the sole post office within the community to seek further information. We inquired with the staff if they could recall this young woman, who frequently came to retrieve packages that I had sent her from Austria. A male staff member indicated that he remembered those packages with my name as the sender and the lady who came to collect them, but he had no additional information regarding her.

As soon as we exited the post office, I recall expressing to the Pastor my desire to return to this place to contribute positively to the neighborhood. For instance, I wish to assist in creating a safe community by providing housing and establishing an institution aimed at teaching both parents and their children how to cultivate good human qualities in their lives. This initiative would not only have a positive impact on their lives but also offer their children the opportunity for a more respectable future.

In that moment of reflection, I felt as though I had uncovered a genuine sense of purpose in my life. Consequently, my feelings of disappointment were swiftly replaced with joy and relief. It is possible that I would never have considered undertaking such a meaningful project had it not been for this adverse experience. Nevertheless, I began to ponder whether the challenges I have faced in my life were, in fact, preparation for this mission. If that is the case, then it has certainly been worthwhile.

Now that I was filled with excitement and energy to embark on this mission, it was time for me to familiarize myself with the people from Ghana. I began my journey around Accra, the capital city of Ghana, utilizing taxis and local buses known as Tro-Tro, while visiting various locations and meeting a diverse array of individuals. I discovered the friendliness and politeness of the Ghanaians, particularly the beautiful and charming women. One observation I made about this community is that when you extend a small gesture of kindness or generosity, they are eager to do nearly anything to show their gratitude. However, in my view, this openness makes them susceptible to exploitation by individuals with wealth or those in positions of influence who harbor ill intentions. 

One day, I was shopping at a local market in Kaneshie, Accra, which is among the largest in the city. A delightful lady in her late thirties approached me with an empty basket and courteously requested that I provide her with a few Ghana cedis to assist in carrying my items, which I had purchased. Recognizing her politeness, I consented. I inquired, “Is this your profession?” She replied, “Yes.

She subsequently placed the items into her basket and transported them to a nearby taxi rank. After we loaded the goods into a taxi, I asked her how much I should compensate her for her assistance. In my view, the amount she specified was insufficient. Nevertheless, I had already intended to offer her more than what she requested. Regrettably, I then realized that I did not possess enough local currency, so I handed her a $10 American bill.

I find it difficult to articulate the immense happiness I felt upon witnessing the way this lady conveyed her joy. She subsequently informed me that she had never encountered anyone displaying such a level of generosity towards her before, prompting her decision to close for the day and return home. A profound sense of sorrow enveloped my heart, and tears welled in my eyes upon hearing her words. Had I possessed additional cash, I would have gladly offered her at least US$50 more. It is essential for everyone to recognize that the most significant accomplishment one can achieve in life is the ability to demonstrate kindness and generosity towards those who are less fortunate.

Ghana, like other regions of the globe, has its share of challenges. Conversely, the immense potential within this nation, coupled with the warmth of its people, inspired me to exert greater effort in fulfilling my mission to assist the less fortunate both here and worldwide.

After several trips to Ghana, it became clear that using my music to raise funds was the only feasible approach to achieve my objectives. However, I questioned how I could achieve this without financial resources, as I am neither a prominent artist nor do I possess any chart-topping songs. Although I harbored some uncertainties, my commitment to this mission of aiding the underprivileged intensified daily, instilling hope within me. Could it be that God utilized my unfortunate experience as a victim of a scam to unveil a purpose for me?

Upon returning to Austria following my third trip to Ghana, an idea struck me: to compose a commercial song that would convey my positive sentiments about Ghanaian women. I created a song titled Ghana Girls, which needed to possess the potential for success in the international market to fund my mission in Ghana.

During the process of composing the song Ghana Girls, I realized the importance of incorporating elements of Ghanaian music and culture into the final production. Consequently, I traveled to Ghana to conduct the demo recordings, which I accomplished within the same year.

It is important to mention that I began writing the song Ghana Girls during my initial visit to Ghana. Since that time, I have uncovered numerous valuable insights about this country, which I look forward to sharing with you.

Once again, I find myself in Ghana, and one of my initial meetings was with a Radio DJ whom I had previously encountered. He recommended an emerging artist who has a recording studio. I met with the artist at his studio, and we promptly agreed to commence our collaboration. During the production process, the artist proposed incorporating a few lines from the three most prevalent local languages into the original lyrics of the Ghana Girls song. I permitted him to proceed with this, as well as the interpretation of these lyrics within the song. He executed this task exceptionally well.

Arriving back in Austria, I was highly motivated by my newly discovered purpose and a fulfilling demo production of the song Ghana Girls; however, my next steps remain uncertain.

Although I have always harbored a desire to assist those in need, I never thought of initiating a social project in this manner. However, I found myself facing a demanding challenge that I had become deeply passionate about, despite lacking the necessary resources. Nonetheless, I resolved to utilize everything available to me and give my maximum effort. As I worked towards advancement, I started to observe remarkable events unfolding in my life, occurrences that were largely beyond my control.

I have observed that whenever I conceive an idea and pursue it, it always leads to new opportunities that propel me forward. I consistently maintain my enthusiasm and rarely have the desire to dwell on current or future challenges. Despite facing numerous obstacles, I persist in my quest for solutions, and in moments when it appears that everything is on the verge of collapse, something extraordinary always occurs to help me progress to the next phase. Indeed, I have always been the type of individual who refuses to surrender in the pursuit of what I believe to be life’s true purpose. However, I recognize that without the wisdom, strength, and guidance from God, I would be unable to confront these challenges. Furthermore, I have come to understand that no accomplishment in this world holds genuine significance without a relationship with God.

I have known a music producer for a considerable period, who resided in Los Angeles, California. Therefore, one of my primary goals was to gather sufficient funds for him to produce the final recordings of the song “Ghana Girls.” Nevertheless, the only feasible opportunity I had to secure the necessary financing for production was to dedicate all my efforts to organizing as many live performances as I could. It has only been four weeks since my return to Austria from Ghana, and it did not take long before I encountered the next miracle.

One evening, as I lay in bed, a surge of creative ideas struck me, prompting me to compose new songs. I grabbed a pen and paper, and without any trouble, I penned the lyrics for the choruses of three songs and recorded the melodies using my phone. In just a week, I had written seven new songs. It was an unprecedented experience in my songwriting journey.

What adds to the wonder of this situation is that my only viable means of securing the funds necessary for my music production was through my live performances, which would have required some time to materialize. However, merely two weeks after I created these songs, I successfully attracted investors who were willing to fund not only the song ‘Ghana Girls’ but also the total of seven songs I needed to finalize my debut album. 

Two weeks after signing an agreement with the investors in 2013, I traveled to Los Angeles to meet with the producer and commence the production of my first album. On our initial day in the studio, we exchanged ideas, established a schedule for that week, and discussed significant matters related to the recordings. Additionally, we affirmed that the title of the track “No one but you” would serve as the name of the album, a choice I made from the moment I composed this song.

After several days in the studio, the producer developed a fondness for the songs, and as he stated, he recognized the potential for at least one of the songs to become a hit record.

His awareness of the songs’ potential for success inspired greater creativity and involvement in the production process. The producer appeared emotionally involved during the recording of the tracks, which positively influenced his commitment to delivering his best work.

Regarding my role as a co-producer, I collaborated with the producer by sharing creative ideas that he found beneficial. The studio atmosphere was enchanting during my vocal recordings on the tracks. I cannot fully articulate what transpired, but I was able to sing beautifully with minimal challenges, and I completed the tracks in a short amount of time. The songs’ potential and the positive energy in the studio were crucial in overcoming any challenges we faced during the production.

After completion of the recordings in Los Angeles, I boarded a flight the next day to Miami, Florida, to meet one of the members of the famous Jamaican male band Inner Circle. Before the studio recordings in Los Angeles, he had assured me that they would utilize their studio and engineer for the final mixing of my album tracks at a remarkably low cost.

The producer arrived two days later at the studios and was present throughout the final mixing. It took the engineer seven days to finish the mix, and immediately after, I flew to New York to have the album mastered. The mastering engineer did a fantastic job, and he loved my songs. Everything went smoothly. Approximately three days later, I flew back to Austria.

Once more, I find myself in Austria after yet another extensive journey, this time with the completed production of my debut album titled “No One But You, A Significant Advancement.” Out of the twelve tracks on this exquisite album, I have composed nine, which enhances my opportunities to raise funds for my mission.

A remarkable accomplishment, but now, what’s next?

It was evident that I still had a considerable journey ahead of me; however, the difficulties and challenges I had encountered appeared to have endowed me with greater wisdom and resilience to confront new obstacles.

Having accomplished something substantial, I felt it was time to embark on another trip to Ghana. Nevertheless, I believed it was essential to adopt a more professional demeanor during my forthcoming visit; thus, drafting a plan of action became crucial, which I completed within a week.

In 2014, upon my return to Ghana, and engaged with officials holding management roles at the Ministry of Housing and various governmental departments. During our meeting, I provided them with a plan, and they expressed significant admiration for my mission, consequently demonstrating a willingness to offer their support.

 Despite not receiving any assistance from these departments, the interest they expressed in my project was the key factor that motivated me to continue at that time. Otherwise, I would have abandoned it right then and there. Moreover, as I reflect on my current position, I must admit that I have no regrets, as it is evident now that I had much more to learn.

 The objective of this mission is to support the vulnerable; therefore, it was essential to dedicate time to understanding the real challenges encountered by the less privileged, enabling the identification of the most effective solutions to assist them.

During one of my previous trips to Ghana, I encountered an employer at the Ghana Investment Promotion Center, which prompted me to reach out to him this time. We subsequently arranged a lunch meeting along with one of his colleagues.

The meeting took place at a five-star hotel in Accra. During our discussion, they recommended that I establish a foundation, which is how the idea came into being. I was not acquainted with the workings of a foundation; thus I merely followed their instructions.

As we brainstormed potential names for the foundation, one of us proposed using my official and artistic name, Lincoln Brown, and we all agreed that this was the most suitable choice.

Now that we have a name for the foundation, they offered to accompany me to the Registrar General the next day to have the foundation registered, and this we did. Ten days later, I received all the registration documents.

My flight back to Austria was scheduled from Ghana two days after I had received the registration certificates, and I was ready to depart. At least, that was my belief until unexpected events began to occur.

The two men who assisted me with the registration invited me to their office. During my visit, they informed me that I would need to extend my stay in Ghana due to the requirement for legal assistance. They also assured me that they would do everything within their power to provide me with the best possible support.

After departing from the office, I continued to contemplate my next steps, as I had planned to return to Austria to resume my performances and advance gradually. Nevertheless, I chose to reach out to several professionals I am acquainted with in Austria and other nations to obtain their insights and potential support. All of them welcomed the concept and regarded it as a commendable initiative, urging me to proceed. They also mentioned that it would be beneficial for my music career; however, I never considered the advantages for even a moment. My sole intention was to assist those who are less fortunate.

To prolong my stay in Ghana for legal assistance, I had to modify my return flight itinerary and cancel previously confirmed appointments in Austria. One such meeting that required rescheduling was with a physician I had known for five years, who was an admirer of my work. During our phone conversation, we also discussed the Lincoln Brown Foundation, and he expressed his support for my mission.

The doctor requested details regarding my immediate plans, so I shared the current challenges I encountered. His enthusiastic response was a significant surprise to me. It felt like another miracle when he conveyed his admiration for my mission and assured me of his support.

At this point, you may have noticed that despite the challenges I have encountered, there always seems to be a positive occurrence at the appropriate time that aids me in progressing to the next level. Do you have any insights into this? To me, it was a sign of divine favor; however, to truly experience this, one must cultivate a strong faith in God, live by that belief, seek His guidance, and possess a great deal of patience.

I selected a female lawyer in Ghana at random from the internet, and after a brief phone call, we scheduled a one-hour consultation. Throughout our discussion, she listened to my music and reviewed my Plan of Action. Like many others, she appeared to be moved by my story and mission. Subsequently, she offered to support me for a period without any additional charge to assist in the development of my project.

The emotions that an individual may encounter when uncovering a life purpose capable of creating a beneficial influence on humanity are genuinely rewarding.

The attorney clarified that with the foundation registration documents in hand, I should apply for a work permit and a resident visa for Ghana. It was yet another significant surprise for me, and I expressed to her that I had no desire to live or work in Ghana. However, she insisted that if I genuinely wished to pursue this project, it was essential, and thus she directed me to the immigration office to submit my application.

The following day, I visited the Immigration office, completed the application forms, and paid the necessary fees. The Immigration officer informed me that the processing would take approximately ten business days, but they would try to expedite the process for me.

I realized that I needed to occupy myself with something productive for my mission while I awaited the documents. Consequently, I considered the possibility of producing a low-cost video featuring the song Ghana Girls, which would showcase some of the stunning scenes in Ghana. Before discussing this idea with the Doctor, I opted to conduct research first to formulate a precise budget plan. During my travels and inquiries, I noticed that when people learned about the mission I intended to undertake, nearly everyone was willing to offer me at least a 50% discount, as some locations even granted us free access. After I finalized the  budget, I presented it to the Doctor, who agreed to support me in creating the video.

Throughout the video production process, I discovered some of the most breathtaking sights in Ghana, and I found myself questioning why the world is not aware of these remarkable places.

Conversely, I must express that I also witnessed some sorrowful and distressing scenes.

For instance, I observed young girls resting with their children in front of small shops, facing a bleak future for both them and their offspring. I recalled standing there once to observe them, and it was amusing because they perceived me as eccentric for watching them. Unfortunately, they were unaware of the thoughts racing through my mind. At that moment, I was contemplating that if I possessed the necessary resources, I would promptly assemble a professional team to secure them a suitable place to reside and assist them in creating a better future for themselves and their children. I pondered why someone like me, who is so eager to effect positive change, lacks the financial means to do so. Conversely, if I were to possess substantial wealth, I likely would not be present to witness this.

Having reflected on all that I have witnessed and learned in the past years, achieving success with my music at this moment would be ideal, as I have identified a meaningful cause to which I can contribute financially. Now I comprehend the reasons behind the need to endure the intolerable challenges I have faced. If anyone not only grasps the subsequent list of qualities but also endeavors to embody them and instruct your children, as well as other children, to practice them, then you will begin to realize the essence of life. Subsequently, you will awaken to the understanding that there is indeed a God who loves us and desires for us to demonstrate this love to one another.

PRACTICE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES EVERY DAY, ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO DO THE SAME, AND WITNESS THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE ON THE WORLD

• Courage
• Trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality, and loyalty
• Integrity
• Respect and courtesy
• Responsibility, including accountability, diligence, perseverance, self management skills, and self-control
• Fairness, including justice and freedom from prejudice
• Caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, charity, and interpersonal skills
• Good citizenship, including patriotism, concern for the common good and the community, responsible decision-making skills, and respect for authority and the law
• Gratitude
• Take pride in adhering to the teachings of our God

I have now reached the conclusion of this chapter in my story, yet there are numerous additional stories I am eager to share with you soon.

Websites: www.lincoln-brown.com
www.lincolnbrownfoundation.org
Email: info@lincolnbrownfoundation.org

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/lincoln-brown/

Thank you

Lincoln Brown