HESINORGA EPHRAIM KƆKU AMU,COMPOSER OF ‘YEN ARA ASAASE NNI; DIES

Ephraim Kɔku Amu, composer of ‘Yen Ara Asaase Ni’, dies

Today in History, On 2 January 1995, Ephraim Kɔku Amu, composer of ‘Yen Ara Asaase Ni’, died at the age of 96.

Photograph of Ephraim Amu playing the traditional atɛntɛbɛn. (Source: Agyemang, 1988, p. 65) 

Ephraim Amu was a renowned music writer and a composer who was born on 13th September 1899 at Peki-Avetile in the Volta Region. Amu composed several musical pieces, among them is “Yen Ara Asase Ni” the nationally acclaimed patriotic song that is performed at national functions.

Amu is particularly known for his use of the atenteben, a traditional Ghanaian bamboo flute; he promoted and popularized the instrument throughout the country, and composed music for it. His father was Stephen Amuyaa, a wood carver who was popularly called Papa Stefano. His mother was Sarah Akoram Ama.

Ephraim Kɔku Amu was baptised by the Rev. Rudolf Mallet on 22 October 1899. Amu first went to school in May 1906 and at about age 12 he entered the Peki-Blengo E.P. Boarding Middle School, where he showed much interest and love for music and agriculture. According to him, he enjoyed the music played during church collections when the music teacher, Mr Karl Theodore Ntem, played soul-moving renditions on the organ.

The old 20,000 cedi note, replaced in July 2007 had a potriat of Ephraim Amu

Amu and his music teacher struck a mutual agreement whereby Amu requested to be taught the skills of organ playing and in return Mr Ntem asked him to work on his farm on Saturdays. In 1915, Amu passed the standard 7 School Leaving Certificate examination and also passed the Abetifi Teachers Seminary’S Examination. In 1916 he and two other colleagues had to walk 150 miles from Peki to Abetifi with their boxes on their heads to start teacher training education.

Amu composed several musical pieces. Some of his famous compositions  are; Fare thee well, Mawɔ dɔ na Yesu, Nkwagye Dwom, Dwonto, Yetu Osa, Israel Hene, Onipa da wo ho so, Yaanom Abibirimma, Yen Ara Asase Ni, Adawura abo me and Samansuo among others.His most famous song is Yen ara asaase ni (also known as Miade nyigba lolo la and Wo dientse wo shikpon ne) which has pretty much become a national song. There have been calls for it to be adapted as a national anthem as well.

He was given an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ghana for his services and contribution to Ghanaian music. He was instrumental in the building of the school of music in Legon. He also led a group from the school in Legon to play at the Lincoln Center in New York where he received a standing ovation.

Dr Ephraim Kɔku Amu moved on to the next life on January 2,1995. The death of the 96 year-old music veteran hit Ghana like a dark storm.

Bibliography:

1. Amenumey, D. E. K. (2002). “1”. Outstanding Ewes of the 20th Century. Profiles of Fifteen Firsts. 1. Accra: Woeli Publishing Services. pp. 1–12. ISBN 9964-978-83-9.
2.  “Ephraim Amu Foundation Launched”. Entertainment of Thursday, 25 March 2004. Ghana Home Page. Archived from the original on 31 October 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2009.