Security bands to celebrate renowned music educationists

The Ghana Police Band is to hold a public concert in Accra to celebrate the musical achievement of Emeritus Professor Joseph H. K. Nketia and other renowned music educationists.

Slated for July 3 this year, the concert also forms part of activities for the Republic Day celebration.

Also billed to perform at the concert, to be held at the Police Church at 37 in Accra, are Army Band, Fire Service Band, Ghana Immigration Band and Prisons Band.

Announcing the event in Accra, Superintendent Dr. Frank K. Hukporti, Director of Music, Ghana Police Service, said the concert was to recognise and celebrate the talents and achievements of the educationists, who through their music compositions accurately espoused the history of the country.

It is also to show appreciation for the celebrants for inspiring others such as Newlove Annan, Asare Bediako, Atto Quayson, Abeiku Dennis and James Varrick Armah, to become composers of African music.

He urged the public to join the various security bands to celebrate the lives of the many music composers, who dedicated themselves to highlighting social issues in the country to aid national cohesion and development.

One of the celebrants, Emeritus Professor Cosmas W. K. Mereku of the Music Department of University of Education, Winneba, called for the inclusion of music at the basic level of education.

He commended the country’s military band for ranking second best in Africa after the South African band, despite the current educational challenge that only allows the study of music at the high school level.