The Choral and Orchestral music scene in Ghana felt the bitter sting of death as it stung one of Ghana’s renowned music Composer, Dr. Kenneth Avotri Kwaku Kafui.
Dr. Kenneth A. Kafui was a lecturer at the University of Ghana and a member of the Ghana Choral Music. He is popularly known for his extraordinary music composition of songs such as ‘Mida Akpe na Mawu’, ‘Dzidzorm’, among others.
In Addition to being one of the leading composers of his generation in Ghana and in African Art Music, Kafui’s work has also gained international exposure in many countries including Scotland, England and quite recently, in Germany.
He worked tirelessly during the colonial days, dedicating his life to developing the genre until his demise. He played an astounding role in his field of expertise and was widely recognized for his composition of choral works, of hymns and anthems, for choir and orchestra, symphonic works, piano and organ works, and Traditional African instruments.
He invented new genres and concepts in African Art music like the Pentanata (the use of two different Pentatonic scales), the HD-3 form and Drumnata (sonata for drum).
After graduating, he joined the university faculty as a teaching assistant in the department of music. The prolific composer was a music tutor at Achimota School before he was moved to the University of Ghana to be a lecturer.
During the late 1970s, he was the composer of the orchestra Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Kafui has also served as the choirmaster for the Madina Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Hohoe Evangelical Presbyterian Church where he had been the organist. He also played the organ for Trinity College.
He was a father and Patron to the Mysti-Blends Chorale Ghana, an impressive group he had been mentoring since its formation and feverishly preparing towards their 5th Anniversary. According to the leaders he promised to visit them at their rehearsals soon before his saddened demise.
Ken Kafui has trained some people like George Francis, David Kafui Sita Korley and others to become musicians who have also joined in the development of art music by teaching and performing.
He passed on during the wee hours of Wednesday morning, 18th March 2020.
Indeed, his death will forever vibrate the chords of the orchestra and choral music in Ghana, and Africa at large. And anywhere the chord of his music is strummed, may his memory live on, and his legacy, never forgotten!
