A Ghanaian author from Wembley celebrated the launch of his debut novel with dignitaries and friends and family on Saturday.

%image(15566661, type="article-full", alt="Mr Ochere was joined by dignitaries including village chief Nana Twum Boadu II (Okyehene Amanonehene) and his wife, Nanayere Afia Twumwaa from Ghana. (Adam Thomas)")

Nick Ochere was joined by more than 300 special guests including William Osafo, the Minister for Education at the Ghana High Commission, to toast the official launch of “Your own people”, the first in a three-novel series at East Lane Business Park in Wembley.

Mr Ochere said: “It was a really nice evening- there were a lot of speeches and the chief from our town in Ghana as well some of my friends and family from Germany came.”

The novel, which tells the story of Joe, a young man being pressurized to marry into a rich family in a Ghanaian village against a back drop of forbidden love, voodoo ritual and faith, was written over a ten-year period.

The evening, which was attended by many congregation members of the Wembley Central Assembly of the Church of Pentecost in Magnet Lane where Mr Ochere works as a Church Elder, featured singing, dances and a special address from Deputy Mayor Cllr Parvez Ahmed.

%image(15566664, type="article-full", alt="Mr Ochere was joined by family members-some of whom had come from as far as Germany- the celebrate the publication of "Your own people" (Pic: Adam Thomas)")

Mr Ochere added: “I would like to thank all of those who came. It is my wish that those who came will now take the word around of the book.”

The book teaches readers the value of “holding your head high” also explores relationships with in-laws and the concept of persevering until you find “the light at the end of the tunnel.”

For more information on the book or to buy your copy see: www.nickochere.com.

%image(15566665, type="article-full", alt="Sister Leticia Kyei Baffour sang songs to celebrate the book launch (Pic: Adam Thomas)")