Ephraim Amu: Yɛŋ Ara Asase Ni

The chorus singing this selection is the chorus of the West Volta Presbytery Church.
Yɛŋ Ara Asase Ni is perhaps the most well known song of Dr. Ephraim Amu, and has been adopted as Ghana's "national song". Originally composed in the Peki dialect of the Ewe language in 1929, it was composed at the request of a teacher at Peki for the celebration of "Empire Day" to be sung by school children in those days. Therefore, the composer thought of words that would inspire and shape children into becoming good future citizens and the rhythm was intended to interest them at that age. It was translated into Twi in 1931. "This is our own land, a precious heritage won for us through the blood and toil of our forebears. It is now our turn to continue the sacrifice. Selfishness, arrogance and deviousness cripple a nation. Devotion, forbearance and obedience earn peace and progress for a nation. Undeniably, the future is in our hands."