UG Department of Music Holds Symposium in Honour of Late Composer Kenn Kafui
The Department of Music at the University of Ghana organised a hybrid symposium in honour of the late Kenn Kafui, one of Ghana’s most revered composers, music educators and conductors.
The event, themed, “Legacy, Identity and Innovation in Ghanaian Choral Composition: Celebrating Kenn Kafui,” brought together a blend of scholars, students, composers and choral practitioners to reflect on his immense contributions to Ghanaian art music, as well as to celebrate his life and enduring legacy.
Dr. Benjamin Amakye-Boateng, Head of the Department of Music, reflected on the late Kenn Kafui’s remarkable career as a composer, educator and mentor. He noted that Kafui’s compositions remain timeless works that bridge Ghana’s traditional idioms and contemporary classical forms, inspiring both performers and audiences.
Paying glowing tribute to the late composer, Dr. Sylvanus Kuwor, Acting Dean of the School of Performing Arts, described him as a “gentle genius” whose humility matched his talent. Dr. Kuwor emphasised how Kafui’s creative works had become part of the Ghanaian musical identity, and how his innovative spirit continues to guide the next generation of musicians.
The symposium also featured panel discussions, with the first panel moderated by Prof. Daniel Avorgbedor (UG Department of Music), which focused on reflections from Kenn Kafui’s colleagues, contemporaries and friends. Panelists included Prof. Kofi Agawu (Graduate Centre, City University of New York, USA), Prof. George W. K. Dor (University of Mississippi, USA) and Dr. Divine Gbagbo (Loyola Marymount University, USA).
The second panel, moderated by Prof. George W. K. Dor (University of Mississippi), featured reflections from former students and researchers who had studied under or had been influenced by the late composer. Speakers included Dr. Emmanuel Tachie Achire (Adankwaman Senior High School), Dr. Eric Sunu Doe (University of Ghana) and Mr. Newlove Annan (Institute for Church Music, Accra).
The final panel, chaired by Dr. Eyram Fiagbedzi, brought together choral music practitioners who had worked closely with or had been inspired by Kafui’s works. Participants included Ms. Juliana Mefanawo Kumabia (St. Theresa’s College of Education, Hohoe), Chief Inspector Elikplim Adzroe (Ghana Police Central Band), Mr. Hope Senalor Konu (University of Education, Winneba) and Dr. John-Doe Dordzro (University of Cape Coast).
Each speaker shared rich insights on how Kafui’s compositions had shaped choral practice in Ghana. They spoke about his music’s accessibility, emotional depth and ability to bring communities together. His pieces, they noted, are not just performed but are experienced because they speak to the Ghanaian spirit in a way that is both modern and deeply rooted in tradition.
Participants also expressed how deeply his works such as “Mida Akpe”, “Migli”, and others had shaped their understanding of choral music. His legacy, they agreed, lies not only in his compositions but also in the many lives he touched through his teaching, mentorship and example.