Dr. Ephraim Amu

Dr Ephraim Kwaku Amu was born on 13 September 1899 at Peki-Avetile, also known as Abenase, in the Peki Traditional Area of the Volta Region. As a male child born on a Wednesday, he was given the name Kwaku. His father, Stephen Amuyaa, was a woodcarver popularly known as Papa Stefano, while his mother was Sarah Akoram Ama. He is widely celebrated for his significant contribution to Ghanaian music, particularly through his promotion and popularisation of the atenteben, a traditional bamboo flute. He composed numerous musical works for the instrument and played a key role in integrating indigenous musical forms into formal education and performance in Ghana. In recognition of his contributions, the University of Ghana, Legon, conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Music degree on Saturday, 27 March 1965. This artistic work in his honour was produced on 24 February 2007.