Emeritus professor Nketia will be buried on May 4th

By Hannah Awadzi, RNG

Accra, April 13, GNA – Emeritus Professor
Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia, a renowned Ghanaian ethnomusicologist, will be
state burial on Saturday, May 4, 2019 preceded by a pre-burial service
at the forecourt of the State House.

Professor Nketia, considered the
Musicologist, died at the age of 97 on March 13 this year.

His funeral will be characterized by many
rich Ghanaian cultural exhibitions and performances by Winneba Youth
Choir and Choir of Emmanuel Congregation, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Madina
New Road, where he is badociated.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the
residence of the late Professor Nketia, where a book of condolences was
open.

During a conversation with his two daughters;
Professor Akosua Perbi, retired historian, and Reverend Priscilla Naana
Nketia, a lawyer, they shared good memories of their father with the GNA.

Akosua Perbi, her eldest daughter, said
his father would be remembered for his music and his interest in culture, adding;
"He was a true scholar."

She said that the name Nketia has become synonymous
with music and "because of the fact that I was Nketia, I was forced to do
music instead of my preference History at level O '. "

"My father was such an inspiration and a
encouragement, he was accessible, he led a life rich in meaning.

Priscilla Naana Nketia, for her part,
said, "My father has accomplished so much and received many awards, but he was
very humble and down to earth. "

"He had a listening ear and he was very
generous, he was generous not only in giving material things but also in sharing
his knowledge. He said that his works should be shared. "

Nketia said that his father also had a strong
faith in God by adding, "We saw him go through difficult times in life when our two
our brothers and our mother are dead, it is his faith in God who has brought it forward. "

"For the world, he was a musicologist, a writer,
and a composer, but for us he was just a father who was there for us, he guided
In order for us to follow our pbadion, we want his legacy to continue to live. "

Professor J. H. Nketia was born on June 22
1921 in Asante Mampong. He had over 200 publications and 80 musical works.
compositions to his credit.

He was the first African director at the
Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, and received awards
including the Cowell Award of the African Music Society, companion of the order
of the Ghana star, the grand medal of the Government of Ghana and the Africanist
Award of the Association of African Studies of the United States for its long devotion to
African studies.

GNA