Pre-burial service of Musicologist Kenn Kafui held at Madina

Late musicologist and music icon Kenneth Kwaku Avotri Kafui has been eulogized for his care, concern and charitability to humanity, at a pre-burial service at the Madina Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church in Accra.

The funeral then continued to Hohoe, his hometown, where he would be buried.

There were elegies and tributes from the family, wife and children, former classmates at Kpando Secondary School, course mates at the university, and other music associates.

Music of various genres, with several musical instruments and voice accompaniments, sounded at the chapel where the late professor, who taught music at the Achimota School, laid.

He was the music tutor at the Achimota School since 1978 and headed its Music Department for more than two decades before taking up a new appointment as a lecturer in the Department of Music Department of the University of Ghana, Legon.

The body of the late composer, laid in a coffin painted white, with an effigy of a keyboard embossed on the coffin as a symbol of the man who composed the famous “Mida Akpe na Mawu, “Dzidzorm”, “Jesus my Protector”, “Kale”, “Asomdwee“ and “Help Me O Lord”.

Kenn also wrote many instrumental works for piano and orchestra such as “Akpi Sonata”, “Pentanata” and “Dom ko Mayi.”

“As head of the Music Department, Kenn oragnised and conducted several music events such as the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carol, Speech and Prize Giving Days Founders Day service, Old Achimotans Memorial and Thanksgiving services and classical concerts.,” Achimota School said in a tribute.

It, however, pointed out that “the Pirates of Penzance” in 1985, was a challenging piece he came back to conduct on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the school in 2017.

He was also one time guest composer of the nation’s broadcaster, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and Director of the Abibigroma Theatre Company of the University of Ghana.

In an exhortation, Reverend Dzandu Hedidor, Moderator of the Meridian Presbytery of the EP Church urged humanity to use the talents they are endowed with fully to the advantage of their fellow men and to the glory of God.

The homily, based on the Book of II Timothy 4:6-8, reads: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

“ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Reverend Hedidor eulogized the late Kenn Kafui for identifying his gift of music, and positively affecting the lives of others, for which he could say, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’

The cleric underlined that there was a reward by God for people who properly used their gifts, in appreciation of what He has done for them.”

“He did well in music and has excelled. So Kafui will always do, something in appreciation of God, or make a request of God in his music… He would perform for people to see how God makes himself manifest of how God had endowed them,” the Reverend Minister said.

Reverend Hedidor entreated the audience to go on using the resources, gifts and talents to the best of their abilities to manifest the glory of God.

After the Police Band had sounded Handel’s “Dead March from Saul,” pallbearers wheeled the coffin outside, into a hearse of mini bus to travel the Hohoe to continue the funeral.

They were followed by a cortege of mourners, among who some repeated the positive impact the late Kenn Kafui had on them.

The late Ken Kafui was born on July 25, 1951; and died on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Accra.

Kenn Kafui was considered one of the leading composers of his generation in Ghana, in African art music, having composed choral works for choir and orchestra, symphonic works, piano, and organ works, and works for traditional African instruments.

He created new concepts and genres in African art music such as the Pentanata, the HD-3 form, and Drumnata.

Most of Kafui's compositions are orchestral or choral works or pieces for solo piano.

He also composed for the orchestra of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation during the late 1970s, choirmaster for the Madina Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Hohoe Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and also played the organ for the Trinity College, Legon.