He was born on 13 September 1899 at Peki-Avetile in the Peki Traditional Area of the Volta Region and as a male child born on a Wednesday was called Kwaku. His father was Stephen Amuyaa, a wood carver who was popularly called Papa Stefano. His mother was Sarah Akoram Ama.
Amu first went to school in May 1906 and at about age 12 he entered the Peki-Blengo E.P. Boarding Middle School, where he showed much interest and love for music and agriculture.
Amu and his music teacher struck a mutual agreement whereby Amu requested to be taught the skills of organ playing and in return Mr Ntem asked him to work on his farm on Saturdays. In 1915, Amu passed the standard 7 School Leaving Certificate examination and also passed the Abetifi Teachers Seminary’s Examination.
By the time Amu completed his training, motor vehicles were more common so he could travel from Abetifi to Osino and travel by train to Koforidua, then take a motor vehicle to Frankadua. He made the remainder of the journey on foot from Frankadua to Peki, a distance of 18 miles. From 1 January 1920, Amu took up an appointment as a teacher at Peki-Blengo E.P. Middle Boarding School, where he taught songs and was keen on making his pupils able to read music well.
Amu composed several musical pieces, among them:
“Fare thee well” “Mawɔ dɔ na Yesu” “Nkwagye Dwom” “Dwonto” “Yetu Osa” “Israel Hene” “Onipa da wo ho so” “Yaanom Abibirimma” “Yen Ara Asase Ni” “Adawura abo me” “Samansuo” “Ale-gbegbe” “Mia denyigba lɔ̃lɔ̃ la”.
Of Amu’s compositions, “Yen Ara Asase Ni” has become a nationally acclaimed patriotic song that is performed at national functions. From 1926 Amu was transferred on promotion to Presbyterian Mission Seminary at Akropong on the recommendation of the Synod Committee of the Eʋe Presbyteria Hame.
He died on 2nd January, 1995.
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Credit: SightOnSiteGH