Mfantsipim @150: Ace Anan Ankomah leads project to preserve school’s musical heritage
A text message about a school song competition has grown into a 14-track musical anthology documenting the history, traditions and musical heritage of Mfantsipim School as the institution marks its 150th anniversary.
In celebration of Mfantsipim School's 150th anniversary, a project led by old boy Ace Anan Ankomah has emerged, preserving the school's musical heritage. Ankomah, along with sound engineer Herbert Ebenezer Crassie, transformed a competition entry into a 14-track musical anthology. Their journey began when Alfred Prince Gyan, another old boy, approached Ankomah about the jama song competition.
The two's collaboration evolved into a wider effort to recover and record songs associated with the school's history. The anniversary planning committee contributed a choral composition, becoming the foundation for the official Sesquicentennial Anthem. Inspired by Dr Ernest Addison's suggestion, the team then sought to recreate the Mfantsipim Ode, leading to the discovery and preservation of other historic songs.
Notable additions include the Mfantsipim Mfeha Ndwom, Dwin Hwɛ Kan, and the hymn Ahotsewfo. The recording team visited the school to capture live performances, while Professor Alfred Patrick Addaquay provided an organ rendition of the hymn For All the Saints. This anthology not only commemorates the anniversary but also documents the origins and evolution of the songs that have shaped Mfantsipim School's identity.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
