Music for Ghana

Ghana, a country along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, is located in Africa with a population of 31 million. Formally called the Gold Coast, Ghana gained independence in 1957 from the British. With 71.2 percent of the population being Christian, Ghana is a unitary constitutional democracy led by a president. Due to it’s growing economic prosperity, Ghana has established itself as a regional power in West Africa. Historically, Ghana was one of the slave ports in the Atlantic slave trade and was established control of by Great Britain in 1874. However, after peaceful resistance and strikes against the British Authorities, Ghana established itself as one single independent dominion within the British Commonwealth under the name Ghana. Since independence, Ghana has been devoted to international and regional cooperation. Ghana has a strong relationship with the US economically and sociologically. 

The colors of the flag: red, gold, green, and a black star in the center date back to this unification with the red symbolizing bloodshed/struggles, yellow for the country’s mineral wealth, and green for the country's natural wealth.

 Located only a few degrees north of the Equator, Ghana experiences a warm climate. Ghana spans an area of 92,099 miles square with the Prime Meridian passing through its location. Grasslands, forests, and scrublands dominate Ghana providing a primary location for industrial mining.

The Kwahu region is located in the Eastern Region of Ghana, on the west shore of Lake Volta. Well known for its business activities, the Kwahu people were a part of the rubber trade until 1914 as well as local products and African beads. Enterprising traders sold a large industry of cocoa which led to growing road transportation and the construction of railroads in 1920. Kwahu achieves a mountainous profile with temperatures similar to that of other cities of Ghana such as Accra. The term Kwahu also refers to a variant of the Akan language which approximately one million people speak. Many festivals take place in Kwahu as well, some of the most popular being the Paragliding Festival and the Akwasidaekese Festival, which provides the community to communicate with their ancestors.

Pepease is a town on the Kwahu Mountain with an elevation of about 1700 feet and located in the Kwahu East District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. After learning about a school in Pepease-Kwahu who was in need of a music department for their students, I immediately wanted to help. Through my study group collaboration with David Ntim, my classmate, who had participated in mission work in Ghana, I learned about the opportunities for international mission work at the Pepease Presbyterian Basic Schools in Ghana, which included a desire for a music department for their students. I was educated on the state of music education of the school through Rev. Kennedy Twum-Barimah, Pastor and District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Pepease-Kwahu.

Music is an integral part of the ghanian culture, religions, and secular life. The music of Ghana varies between different ethnic groups; however, it incorporates several distinct types of musical instruments such as the talking drums. Traditional dances for specific celebrations are popular such as the Adowa, Klama, and Bamaya. Music also plays an important role in the celebration of festivals in Ghana. Easter is a major annual religious celebration for the Kwahu people which has now grown into a prominent national festival. Because music and dance is such a distinct part of the Ghanian culture, it is vital that these kids have the opportunity to learn how to play various types of music instruments, traditional and global instruments, to grow their music skills. Many different types of locally made instruments such as the talking drums, Frikyiwa, and Dawuro are used by the community as well. Music is a universal language that can break down barriers to global progress among the youth and create an enriching crosscultural fine arts education. Supporting music education in Pepease Kwahu with music instruments will strengthen the creative arts curriculum for the students; build a bridge for international collaboration and exchange learning experiences between students in Ghana and USA through this cross-continental music project.