Professor J.H. Nketia Endows His Works To AUCC

Professor Emeritus J. H. Kwabena Nketia, the Ghanaian world-renowned scholar and erudite musicologist, has entrusted his publications, musical compositions and works to the Africana Studies Centre of the African University College of Communications (AUCC).

In response, and as a mark of honour, AUCC has scheduled June 22, 2015, the 94th birthday of the internationally acclaimed scholar, to rename its Africana Studies Centre the Kwabena Nketia Centre for Africana Studies, at a ceremony to be chaired by the Asante Mamponghene, Nana Osei Bonsu II.

Commenting on this historic event, Professor Kofi Asare Opoku of AUCC said: “This is a monumental contribution to what the University has been doing since it was founded. This unparalleled gesture of generosity will enable the enormous influence of Professor Nketia’s scholarship to spread across the globe from AUCC’s Centre”.

The events marking this honour will be preceded by a public lecture on June 16, 2015 at the National Theatre to be delivered by Professor Molefi Kete Asante, an eminent scholar and author of over 70 books, and Professor of Africology and Africana Studies at the Department of African American Studies at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA. It will be chaired by Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area.

Africana Studies is a core subject for all students at the African University College of Communications.

As an acclaimed musicologist and composer, Professor Nketia has over 80 compositions, including choral pieces, solo songs with piano accompaniment, as well as instrumental works. He has over 200 publications, not only in English but also in his own language, Twi.

Currently, Professor Nketia is the Chancellor of the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, Akropong Akuapem; Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences; Honorary Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Society of Great Britain and Ireland; Honorary Member of the International Music Council; Member of UNESCO’s International Commission for a Scientific and Cultural History of Humanity; Member of the International Jury for the Proclamation by UNESCO of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and Board member of the National Commission on Culture, Republic of Ghana.