The Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, Bishop Emeritus of Keta-Akatsi Diocese, has advised Choristers not to be envious of the gifts of others but rather be appreciative and use their gifts harmoniously to glorify God.
In a Memorial Mass celebrated in honour of the deceased members of the St. Cecilia Choir of St. Michael Co-Cathedral Church, Keta in the Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi, in Ghana’s Volta Region on June 15, 2024, he urged the choristers to emulate the zeal of their founders, especially, Madam Salenu Tamakloe, the leader of the group.
He entreated them to avoid divisions, quarrels and anything that would not promote healthy relationship among them, indicating that it was good to talk about people, but “good things must be said about them.”
“If human beings do not talk about human beings, is it dogs they will talk about?” he asked.
He told the members of St. Cecilia Choir to see singing as a gift and a call from God and use it to glorify His name and commended them for remembering their foundation members as they prepare to mark the Centenary of their existence.
In a welcome Address, Mr. Richard Kpehor, the President of St. Michael Co-Cathedral Church, applauded the St. Cecilia Choir for the step they took to remember their founding members and to pray for their souls.
“One cannot vividly celebrate the present without remembering the past,” he said.
The Mass was celebrated as part of the Centenary celebration of the Choir which would be climaxed in August 2024.
The celebration was concluded with a procession to the St. Michael Co-Cathedral cemetery, where wreaths were laid in honour of the deceased members of the Choir by Mr. Moses Dake, one of the Choir Masters.
Candles were lit and prayers said at the cemetery for the repose of their souls.
Present at the occasion were Very Rev. Fr. Michael Elorm Gbordzor, the Co-Cathedral Administrator; Fr. Moises Harves, the Leader of Neocathechumenal Way who are currently evangelising in Keta; Mr. James Victor Gbeho, the son of Mr. Philip Gbeho and the former Ambassador of Ghana to USA and the children and grandchildren of the founding members and other deceased members of the Choir.
The St. Cecilia Choir was founded in 1922 by a group of women led by the late Madam Salenu Tamakloe. These women included Mad. Salenu Tamakloe who was the Leader, Mad. Akwelevi Theresa Adzakey, Mad. Philomena Olympio,Mad. Christine Edeyegbor, Mad. Mary Attipoe, Mad. Anna Amelevi Lasse, and Mad. Bertha Tarnakloe.
The Choir first started as an indigenous singing group who sang local ewe songs only without accompaniments like drums. Since it was not allowed to play local drums in Church in those days, they clapped their hands on songs and danced along.
These women were mainly, traders and fishmongers. Their leader, Mad. Salenu went from house to house to call members to come for rehearsals. They wore traditional dresses (cloth) as uniform; so they were nicknamed “Nyonu Avotalawo”.
In the 1930s, the group was named St. Cecilia Choir after the first daughter of the late Mr. Philip Gbeho, Composer of the Ghana National Anthem, who converted the group into a choir that sang in musical parts.
This gave way for men to become members. At that time, Mr. Philip Gbeho was a teacher in the then Keta R/C Boys School and also the Organist of the then Keta Cathedral Church.
Story and photos by Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC (Sister Communicator)
