Ghana's Dr. Paa Bobo To Lecture In The United States
Dr. Paa Bobo is not only a classic highlife musician, he is the Okyeman Showman and soon he will add Professor to his name for his new role as a lecturer in the United States of America. The Ghanaian classic highlife star will be giving special lectures on the theme: Traditional Philosophy in African Popular Music and The Role of Music a Tool For Social Change as part of the Black History Month celebrations at a top public high school in Manhattan in New York City on Tuesday, 05/02/2013.
The program which will be held at the famous ParkWest Educational Complex is hosted by the Facing History School, one of the Ivy League High Schools in the United States. The Multicultural and Applied Music Department of the School which is headed by a Ghanaian, Mr. Harold Akyeampong, is making all the program possible in addition with support from a number of organizations in the United States of America.
Dr. Paa Bobo who is famous for popular Ghanaian social change lyrics and proverbial laden tracks such as Osobokyere, Nsem Keka, KoKa Ma Yema Wo Amo, Yesu Mpo, Anya Adwo, Efie Nipa, Wo Nyamesom Mpo and many more will be performing few of his music with the students as well as give a lecture on the role of music as a tool for social change and development in Ghana and in Africa.
Dr. Paa Bobo's real name is Kwaku Agyapong Danemah (corrupted pronounciation of Dan no ma me ) born on 11th September, 1951 in the Eastern part of Ghana (Akyim Maase).
In 1968, Kwaku Agyapong Danemah started his music career by learning how to play rudiments of guitar from Smart Nkansah (Ghana's ace guitarist) and later formed his band in Nigeria – Aba (Former Imo state).
Standing as the only African music legend who recorded 2 hit albums in 2hours with Decca – Nigeria, Dr. Paa Bobo has 40 albums to his credential and 35 great hits songs:
The multi – award winning superstar and african's legend has worked with great names like Okukuseku International Band, All Brothers Band, the Kusum Agoromma (Drama studio now known as National Theatre), Smart Nkansah. And has toured and musically explored countries like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, United Kingdom, Italy, Holland etc… and still counting.
The Facing History School is one of the top public high schools in New York State that has unique Multicultural educational programs that give its students opportunities to meet and intereact with world class academicians and performing artists as well as groups. They have hosted Dr. Kofi Agyeman, an Ethnomusicologist from North Carolina, Keiji Yohisimo of Japan, Dr. Jose Damion, a Historian of Cuba; Dr. Lumumba Sheriff,, a cultural consultant with roots in Jamaica, Ghana and Mauritania; the Elmina Dance Company; Mr. Theophilus Anaman-a keyboard player and former Music Master of Nsein Secondary School,he is related to Jewel Ackah; and Obuoba J.A. Adofo; all of Ghana, Master Musicians Francois Bala of Cameroun and Alhassan Konte of Gambia.
In his interview with the New York representative of the PREKESE Ghanamedia, Dr. Paa Bobo said he feels very honoured for the opportunity and the appreciation of the arts by the school. He took the opportunity to advice all his fans in Ghana that he will return to Ghana on time to perform in some gigs that he is performing with Amakye Dede at Tema and in Kumasi during the Valentine day celebrations. He also appealed to the Ghana government to learn from the experience of the United States where the arts is accorded the needed attention and recognition in education.
According to Mr. Harold Akyeampong the director of the department, he said students are enthused about Dr. Paa Bobo's coming as they have been studying Africa and Africa Diaspora for the Semester. He said students are studying Black people's contributions to the arts, sports, economy,technology and politics of the United States and the world. He was particularly grateful to the International Center for African Cultural and Arts ( ICACA), the OBAATANPA House Of Hope Inc of New York; the Urban Arts Partnership, the Kings of Kings African Market of Bronx and Mr. Kwame Sarpong and the family for their valuable support and contributions towards organising such an important program for the school.
REFERENCES:
DR. PAA BOBO: http://soundmastersonline.com/paa-bobo/
DR PAA BOBO ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5Ij2hGuN-w
THE SCHOOL: http://www.facinghistoryschool.org/
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