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Ephraim Amu
Ephraim Kɔku Amu was a Ghanaian composer, musicologist and teacher
13September
1899
13 September 1899
Born
He was born on 13 September 1899 at Peki-Avetile in the Peki Traditional Area of the Volta Region and as a male child born on a Wednesday was called Kɔku
20July
1920
20 July 1920
Early life and education
Ephraim Kɔku Amu's parents were Stephen Amuyaa, a wood carver known as Papa Stefano, and Sarah Akoram Ama; he showed an early interest in music and agriculture, and after attending school, he learned organ playing from his music teacher in exchange for working on the teacher's farm, eventually completing his teacher-catechist training in 1919 and delivering a sermon in both Twi and Ewe languages.
20July
1920
20 July 1920
Work and music
After completing his training, Ephraim Kɔku Amu traveled to Peki-Blengo E.P. Middle Boarding School as a teacher, making a challenging journey on foot with a five-octave organ on his head to enhance music education at the school, and he also sought additional music lessons from Rev. Allotey-Pappoe in his eagerness to master his musical skills.
20July
1950
20 July 1950
Music composed
Amu's notable compositions include "Fare thee well," "Mawɔ dɔ na Yesu," "Nkwagye Dwom," "Dwonto," "Yetu Osa," "Israel Hene," "Onipa da wo ho so," "Yaanom Abibirimma," "Yen Ara Asaase Ni," and many others, with a particular emphasis on using the atenteben, a traditional Ghanaian bamboo flute, promoting and popularizing it through his compositions.
20July
2004
20 July 2004
Ephraim Amu Foundation
The Ephraim Amu Foundation, established in 1995, was officially inaugurated in 2004 as a tribute to Ephraim Amu's legacy.
20July
2023
20 July 2023
Works by Ephraim Amu
The following are compositions by Ephraim Amu: "Twenty-five African Songs in the Twi Language," with music and lyrics by E. Amu, published by Sheldon Press in 1932. "Amu Choral Works," published by Waterville Publishing House in 1993. Additionally, Amu wrote an article titled "How to Study African Rhythm," which appeared in The Teachers' Journal (Accra) 6.2 in 1933, covering the years 1933-34.
20July
202320 July 2023
African influence
Ephraim Kɔku Amu, a composer and musician, gained national acclaim for his patriotic song "Yen Ara Asase Ni," which became popular at national events. He was known for his unorthodox actions and ideas while working as a tutor at the Presbyterian Mission Seminary at Akropong, using African cultural artifacts and inventions and advocating for African dress and music in church services. In 1965, he was honored with an honorary degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Ghana.
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