YOU’RE TRULY BLESSED: Black Star of Hope and Honor (Ghana Month Music #7)

We are blessed to be a blessing. The proof that a person or a nation is truly blessed is that they're a blessing to others. That is, they share with others the fruits of the blessings they have received. This is true of the nation Ghana, Africa’s "Black Star of Hope and Honor" (borrowing the phrase from the 3rd stanza of Ghana's national anthem).

March is a special month in the life of Ghana. It is the month of Ghana’s independence, becoming the first independent country in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve its independence from European colonial rule (6th March 1957). Among other things, during the month of March, Ghana showcases its cultural heritage and national aspirations. We wear Ghana, eat Ghana, shop Ghana, sing Ghana, dance Ghana, and even bless and criticize Ghana!

I wish to share why I believe Ghana is truly blessed, and why I have chosen the Ewe patriotic song “Ghana Nyigba” (Ghana Land) to be the vehicle to make a case that Ghana has been blessed in order to be a blessing to the world. The song was composed by Kojo Tibu (Kodzo Tshibu) and performed by the youthful voices of the MELODIANS GHANA chorale group.

Ghana is one of a few countries in the world that has been blessed with so much natural resources and human resources.

However, the proof that Ghana is truly blessed does not lie solely in its rich deposits of gold, diamond, lithium, and other mineral resources, nor in its fertile land and bountiful harvests of cocoa, cotton, or timber. Indeed, the evidence of Ghana’s blessedness does NOT even rest in its rich culture (colorful festivals, regal kente fabrics and other traditional wears, gorgeous fashion and artistic expressions), nor its tasteful local foods and cuisines that can be matched by only a few nations (jollof rice, waakye, banku, fufu, kenkey, or yam & plantain with kontomire stew). Nay! Not even the pride of its home-grown democratic and Pan Africanist credentials are enough proof that Ghana is blessed.

Rather, the true evidence that Ghana is a blessed nation lies in the fact that Ghana has been blessed in order to be a blessing to the world. Its people live and work (or ought to live and work) in such a manner that the world around them will say to Ghanaians, borrowing the words of an Old Testament prophet, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zechariah 8:23).

Undoubtedly, our small nation has been blessed. Despite its share of challenges and failings, Ghana is on record for its relatively stable home-grown democracy, respect for human rights, freedom of religion and the press. In recent times, we have enjoyed one of the longest peaceful transfers of power between political parties in Africa, resolving our political differences peacefully through the courts.

To a large extent, Ghana is enjoying the perks of advances in technology, international recognition, improvement in our ways of life, etc. Ghanaians are known in the world as among those passionately interested in learning. This passion has translated into much excellence and fame in different fields of endeavor. We have leveraged this learning at home and shared it freely with other nations.

Moreover, there is a renaissance of healthy African pride in the nation. Our oral tradition extols the wisdom of Ghana in legendary terms. Passed down from generation to generation, many profound sayings and proverbs of Ghanaian origin have enriched the world.

?Poetry and inspiring music that lifts up the human spirit have been enriched by the contributions of Ghana’s homegrown composers. And we boast of world-class professionals in almost all branches of science and learning.

?Our educational institutions stand tall among their peers on the continent. At no time in our history have we had as many international students as we have now, seeking for learning and wisdom in our humble abode.

?We contribute proverbs, wise and witty sayings, art works & designs, research materials, technological ideas and erudite personalities to other parts of the world. Noted as a shining black star, Ghana today stands tall and proud among the nations of the world.

?Though we may be small in size, our influence is powerful to the benefit of our race. Undoubtedly, Ghana is a blessed nation, blessed to be a blessing to the world.

?We are known as a nation that is well-endowed with skills in innovation, creativity, & entrepreneurship (ICE), a nation where peaceful coexistence of its many tribes, 40+ language groups, and many religions prevails. We truly welcome and love foreigners, making them feel at home. “Akwaaba” is more than a word of welcome; it is a lifestyle—and a red carpet for Blacks from every land to return to their motherland.

?Truly, Ghana is blessed to be a blessing! A shinning black star. It has produced brilliant and courageous world-class leaders who have transformed the world: Kwame Nkrumah, JEK Aggrey, Kofi Annan, Jerry Rawlings, and more.

?Let me be more specific.

?Over the past six and half decades since Independence, we have seen some transformational figures from our rich Ghanaian background who have championed excellence in their respective fields:?

• In the area of world diplomacy and peace-making, we have had Alex Quaison-Sackey & Kofi Annan (United Nations);
• In NASA space exploration, aeronautics and robotics, we have had Drs. Isaiah M. Blankson & AshiteyTrebi-Ollennu; in the development of fiber optic manufacturing and nanotechnology we have had Dr. Thomas O. Mensah; and in mathematics and astrophysics we have had Prof. Francis Allotey.
• In human genetics and cell-biology, we have had Dr Felix Konotey-Ahulu (world-class expert on sickle-cell anemia);
• In Christian theology we have had thinkers like John S. Pobee, Kwesi Dickson, Mercy Amba Oduyoye, Kwame Bediako, Emeritus Archbishop Peter Akwasi Sarpong, Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Emmanuel Martey; and in religious leadership, we have had Pastor Matthew A. Bediako (Seventh-day Adventist) and Cardinal Peter Turkson (Roman Catholic), both of who could easily have served as the leaders of their world-wide church;
• In the field of sports, we have had Abedi Pele, Michael Essien, & Asamoah Gyan (outstanding soccer players in Ghanaian, African, and European football);
• In music and aesthetics, we have had world class classical composers like Dr. Ephraim Amu, Prof. J.H. Kwabena Nketiah, Dr. Philip Gbeho, Dr. Kenneth Kafui—exceptional Ghanaians who have given us a wealth of inspirational and patriotic music that have molded the ethos and thinking of our nation, Africa, and the world.
• In church music, we have such musical giants as Robert Gaddiel Acquah (Methodist), Ephraim Amu (Presbyterian), T. W. Kwami (Evangelical Presbyterian), Augustine Kwasiga Younge (Roman Catholic), and J. K. Amoako (Seventh-day Adventist). Their compositions revitalized and Africanized worship music in their respective faith traditions and beyond. Their music warmed the hearts of our people, soothed our souls, and transported us to the very gates of Heaven. Theirs was music in our ears and health and healing for our people.

?These are by no means all. But the above-named individuals represent the many shining black stars that have all brightened the world. Truly Ghana is not only blessed, but blessed to be a blessing.

?The blessedness of Ghana and its role as a blessing to the world is intrinsic to our national identity. Let’s explore this through a brief historical journey.

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On the day of Ghana’s Independence, March 6, 1957, during his historic midnight speech that heralded “a new African in the world,” Dr. Kwame Nkrumah paused his speech to implore his fellow countrymen to “ASK FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS.”

?Then, after the nation’s prayers for God’s blessings, Nkrumah requested the band to play the newly minted Ghana National Anthem—an anthem which was composed and penned by Philip Gbeho in 1957. Like Nkrumah’s speech, the lyrics of the national anthem also invokes God’s name and request His PRESENCE in the new nation. The 3rd stanza begins: “God be with us in Ghana. And make our nation great and strong, brave to defend for ever the cause of freedom and of right.”

?Parenthetically, let me state that, to this day, on every national occasion the people of Ghana sing with pride their national anthem which, since the 1970s, begins with the words,

? “GOD BLESS our homeland Ghana.

And make our nation great and strong,

Bold to defend forever

The cause of Freedom and of Right;

Fill our hearts with true humility,

Make us cherish fearless honesty,

And help us to resist oppressors' rule

With all our will and might for evermore.”

?Now, let’s return to the story of our Independence Day.

?After the band played the National Anthem, our nation’s founding President and Father of Pan-Africanism, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, concluded his historic Independence Day speech by emphasizing that Ghana was blessed so that it could be a blessing to the world. Ghana’s destiny as a nation was to leave its mark on the world. Here are his final words after the national anthem was played (emphasis in caps, mine):

“RESHAPING GHANA’S DESTINY, I am depending on the millions of the country, and the chiefs and the people, to help me to RESHAPE THE DESTINY OF THIS COUNTRY. WE ARE PREPARED TO PICK IT UP AND MAKE IT A NATION THAT WILL BE RESPECTED BY EVERY NATION IN THE WORLD.

“We know we’re going to have difficult beginnings, but again, I am relying on your support…. I am relying upon your hard work.

“Seeing you in this… It doesn’t matter how far my eyes go, I can see that you are here in your millions. And my last warning to you is that you are to stand firm behind us so that WE CAN PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT WHEN THE AFRICAN IS GIVEN A CHANCE, HE CAN SHOW THE WORLD THAT HE IS SOMEBODY!

“We have awakened. We will not sleep anymore. Today, from now on, THERE IS A NEW AFRICAN IN THE WORLD!”

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Ghana: “A new African in the World!”

Thus, the idea of God’s blessings upon Ghana to be a blessing to the world is rooted in our history—from the very day the nation was born. The mindset of Ghanaians being global players is not an afterthought. It is who we are as a people of Ghana Land. That’s why the Ghana National Anthem concludes thus (with the last 2 lines of the 3rd stanza):

“Arise, arise, O sons of Ghana land,

“And under God march on for evermore!”

Therefore, today, as I wrap up the 7th presentation on “Ghana Month,” featuring Christian chorale music, I want to conclude with “Ghana Nyigba”—a composition by Kojo Tibu, a contemporary of the original composer of the first national anthem. In this song, he makes an emphatic statement: “Ghana, Ghana land, You’re truly blessed!”

?The inspirational patriotic song is performed by MELODIANS GHANA, a youthful musical group comprising students and alumni of Valley View University, Ghana’s premier private university. I chose this group to sing partly because Africa belongs to the youth—nay, to transformed youth. Of which the members of Melodians Ghana are (or ought to be) a part.?

NOTES:

1.???? The concept that we are blessed to be a blessing is supported by at least three key biblical texts: (a) Regarding Abraham, God stated: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). (b) King Solomon declared: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV). (c) In the New Testament, we find: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 NIV).?

2.???? While Philip Gbeho’s 1957 composition of Ghana’s National Anthem is still in use, the lyrics starting with “GOD BLESS our Homeland Ghana. And make our nation great and small, brave to defend forever the cause of freedom and of right,” used since the 1970s, were penned by Michael Kwame Gbordzoe, then a student at Bishop Herman College. Notice that in the original 1957 composition, the 3rd stanza begins with “God BE WITH US IN Ghana. And make our nation great and strong, brave to defend forever the cause of freedom and of right.”

3.???? The composer of the patriotic song “Ghana Nyigba,” Kojo Tibu (full name Adalbert Kodjo Mensah Tibu), was part of a group of Catholic musicians in the Volta Region of Ghana who aimed at revitalizing and Africanizing Catholic church music. This group included Augustine Kwasiga Younge, Philip Gbeho, Emmanuel Gakpo Gadzekpo, Togbe Afiatsoa II, George Kwame Akordor, and Cornelius Kofi Doe-Williams (alias CK), as discussed in Prof. Paschal Yao Younge’s book: “Augustine Kwasiga Younge: The Great Musician, Composer, Educator, Scouter and Counselor: The Pioneer in Revitalization and Africanization of the Catholic Liturgy and Mass in Ghana” (2022).

4.???? Globally, Ghanaians are recognized as leading figures of excellence across various fields, both domestically and internationally. Within my own Seventh-day Adventist faith tradition, it is evident that Ghanaians have significantly influenced our church’s theological discourse and life, rejuvenated youth and public campus ministries, reignited genuine biblical spirituality and worship, rekindled lay evangelism and missionary zeal, and are at the forefront of rediscovering effective ministries for young professionals, and pioneering ministry through “Innovation, Creativity, & Entrepreneurship” (ICE). Ghana proudly bears the slogan “Africa to the World.”

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For this 7th edition of my “Ghana Month” music, I’ve chosen the meditational rendition of “Ghana Nyigba” performed by MelodiansGhana, one of my favorite Ghanaian chorale groups. This youthful ensemble of Adventist students and graduates exemplifies commitment to excellence, integrity, service, and the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance. (Find them on their YouTube channel.)?

• Ghana Month Music #7—“GHANA NYIGBA” (Ghana Land)
• Composed by: KOJO TIBU (KODZO TSIBU)
• Performed by: MELODIANS GHANA (see link below)?

"Black Star of Hope and Honor,"

(borrowing the phrase from the 3rd stanza of Ghana's national anthem,)

You’ve not yet arrived at your final destination. May God Almighty bless you, guide you safely in your journey, and make you a blessing to your world. AFRICA MUST RISE!

—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD

March 17, 2024.

Director, ANANSE & AFES

ANANSE = African Network & Advisory for Needed Services & Excellence

AFES = African Foundation for Excellence & Service

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MUSIC:

https://youtu.be/8qmty6Viw44?feature=shared

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