Meet Ephraim Amu, the man behind Ghana's most popular patriotic song 'Yen Ara Asase Ni'
- Ephraim Amu composed many popular songs including the well celebrated 'Yen Ara Asase Ni'
- He was a teacher by profession who grew up in a small village in the Volta Region
- Ephraim Amu was not only good with music as he had creative inventions such as a wooden bicycle to his credit
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Ephraim Amu is well known as the composer of one of Ghana's most popular patriotic songs, 'Yen Ara Asase Ni'. The heroic composer had other great creations under his sleeve.
Mynewsghana.com reports that his love for music came to light when he was at the Peki-Blengo E.P. Boarding Middle School.
This was just 12 years after he was born on September 13, 1899, at Peki-Avetile, a small village in Volta Region.
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With his newly-found passion, Ephraim Amu was compelled to his music teacher by name Karl Ntem.
Mr Ntem decided to only teach Ephraim when he decides to pay something in return.
Since Ephraim could not pay in cash, he had an agreement with Karl Ntem to serve on Karl's farm every Saturday. It was a brilliant deal for young Ephraim.
Ephraim Amu's interest in music was not very surprising as his father, Stephen Amuyaa, was a woodcarver, drummer and singer. His mother was called Madam Sarah Akoram Ama.
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In the early days of 1920, Ephraim became a teacher at Peki-Blengo E.P. Middle Boarding School. He music career grew more wings there as he dedicated a lot of time teaching his pupils the rudiments of music.
To develop himself more, he himself took music lessons with a Methodist Minister stationed at Peki-Avetile.
Not long after, Ephraim began to compose very compelling songs, some of which are Mawɔ dɔ na Yesu, Nkwagye Dwom, Dwonto, Yetu Osa, Israel Hene, Onipa da wo ho so, Yaanom Abibirimma among others.
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Arguably, the biggest break came for him when he composed Yen Ara Asase Ni which became a national song.
For his massive contribution to music, Amu received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ghana. It is reported that his efforts played a key role in establishing a school of music in Legon.
Aside music, Amu was good with his hands. He was known for inventing a bicycle from wood which was named 'Amu'. He also made wooden balls that were used for school games.
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Ephraim Amu also lived a full length of life as he 'went home' when he was 96 years old.
Ghana has had many amazing individuals in the past. Just recently, YEN.com.gh reported that Professor Alexander Adum Kwapong had a life full of achievements.
He went from a young professor at the age of 30 to becoming the first Ghanaian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
