Stories and facts

Every year in March, just before Ghana’s Independence Day, the Centre for National Culture in Accra comes alive with songs and harmony. The Pappoe Thompson Choral Festival is a special event that brings choirs from schools, churches, workplaces, and universities together to sing songs that have been loved by Ghanaians for generations.

The festival honours Emmanuel Pappoe Thompson, a respected composer and teacher born in 1906. He wrote many of Ghana’s famous patriotic and religious songs, including the words to the country’s first national anthem.

This anthem was first performed on 6 March 1957, the day Ghana gained independence. Thompson’s music reflects the spirit of Ghana, blending traditional sounds with choral singing that is accessible to everyone.

Choirs from all walks of life participate in the festival, including senior high schools like Accra Academy, Accra Girls SHS, and Labone SHS, alongside groups from institutions like the University of Ghana and the Ghana Highway Authority Choir.

Most of the songs performed are by Thompson himself, though choirs are also allowed to sing one piece by another Ghanaian composer, giving audiences a chance to hear a wide range of Ghana’s rich musical heritage.

The true value of the Pappoe Thompson Festival goes beyond competition or entertainment. It brings together people from different backgrounds, uniting them through music that shares a common identity.

It helps young singers learn the songs their grandparents knew, keeping these melodies alive and fresh. In a world where older traditions are sometimes forgotten, the festival ensures that these important songs continue to live in the hearts and voices of Ghanaians today.

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