Use "Yen Ara Asase Ni" as National Anthem

Professor Reginald Fraser Amonoo, Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), on Tuesday called for the adoption of Tata Dr Ephraim Amu's "Yen Ara Asase Ni" as the official National Anthem.

He said the song, which is the unofficial Anthem, was composed on the foundation of patriotism and directed Ghanaians to cherish, value and defend the motherland.

It also reminds the new generation of the price the country's forebears paid in building the nation, which they must uphold and build upon.

Prof. Amonoo was delivering the fifth Ephraim Amu Memorial Lectures on the theme: "Music and Moral Philosophy: Ephraim Amu's Compositions Revisited."

He said the current National Anthem was harmonized and orchestrated in United Kingdom, thus making it a little distanced from the cultural perspective.

The lecture was organized by the GAAS in collaboration with the National Theatre and the International Centre for African Music and Dance of the University of Ghana, Legon.

Prof. Amonoo said: "I look forward to that day a government would muster the political courage to change our National Anthem from "God Bless our Homeland" to "This is our Homeland" - "Yen Ara Asase Ni".

The 90-minute lecture was beautifully blended with some selected rendition of Tata Amu's songs by a massed choir comprising the Music Departments of University of Ghana, University College of Education, Winneba and Presbyterian Church Choir of Abeka and Madina conducted by Ms Misonu Amu, the Musicologist's daughter.

Tata Amu is said to have combined the role of a musician with that of an educator, social critic and cultural activist.

The Legend used music to address traditional issues and introduced innovations and progress, highlighted the role of patriotism in nation building and the moral code of civil society.

Explaining the moral philosophy of Tata Amu's compositions with some selected songs; Prof. Amonoo said the musicologist demonstrated his Christian faith with songs such as "Meto M'ani Mehwe Nnipa Asetram" and "Onipa Da Wo Ho So."

Tata Amu demonstrated his patriotism with: "Yen Ara Asase Ni" and "Abibirima," (call on Africans); righteousness with "Dzodzoenyenye doa duko de dzi" (righteousness exalts a nation) and praises to the ancestors and appreciation of the past in "Akwaaba Ndwom", (welcome song); "Tete Wo Bi Ka, Tete Wo Bi Kyere" (the past has something to teach and exhibit) and "San Befa".

Prof. Amonoo said Tata Amu called for courage and good social behaviour in "Asem Yi Di Ka", bravery and fortitude in "Hyiawu... Owu Nam Kwan So Reba", "Odo Ye Wu" and "Animia".

Prof. Amonoo said Tata Amu also aspired for perfection in knowledge, religion and life and these were evidenced in songs such as "Mom ma Yenko So Mforo," "Esrom Miele Be Miadi Yesu" (We are learning to be like Jesus) and "Nenyo De Wo Dede" (aim at perfection)

In a welcoming address, Prof Komla Amoaku, Executive Director of the National Theatre, called for the incorporation of African compositions into the educational curricula.