"Yɛn Ara Asaase Ni" () is the unofficial national anthem of Ghana. It was written and composed by Ephraim Amu in 1929Agawu, Kofi. "The Amu Legacy: Ephraim Amu 1899-1995." (1996): 274-279. and is popularly sung in Twi. The original is, however, in the Ewe language.
Anthem The first line in the original Ewe lyrics is "Mia denyigba lɔ̃lɔ la". This translates in English as "Our cherished homeland" or "Our beloved homeland". It was translated into Twi at the time when the Gold Coast was in search of an anthem to replace the colonial one from the United Kingdom, "God save the King". It was among the four anthems shortlisted. God Bless Our Homeland Ghana by Philip Gbeho was the one that was eventually selected.
The song is often played or sung during national occasions in Ghana. Many people, however, continue to lobby for the current Ghana national anthem to be replaced by this song.
Lyrics The patriotic song "Yɛn Ara Asaase Ni" was written by Ephraim Amu and sung In the Ewe language. It was later translated into Twi and then English. The title version translates into English as "This Is Our Own Native Land"; it evokes a message of nationalism, and each generation doing their best to build on the works of the previous generation.
Yɛn Ara Asaase Ni (Akuapim Twi) Yɛn Ara Asaase Ni (English translation)First stanza Yɛn ara asaase ni;Ɛyɛ abɔ den den de ma yεn, Mogya a nananom hwie gu Nya de to hɔ ma yɛn, Aduru me ne wo nso so, Sε yɛbɛyɛ bi atoa so. Nimdeɛ ntraso, nkoto-kranne; Ne pɛsɛmenkomenya, Adi yɛn bra mu dεm, ama yɛn asaase hɔ dɔ atomu sɛ.This is our own native land; What a priceless heritage, Acquired with the bloodour ancestors shed for us; It is now our turn to continue what our ancestors started Bragging of educational achievements; Propaganda and greed for material things, And bad lifestyles are destroying our nation, and disgracing it.Chorus(Chorus 2x): Ɔman no, sɛ ɛbɛyɛ yie o Ɔman no, sɛ ɛrenyɛ yie o; Ɛyɛ nsɛnnahɔ sɛ, Ɔmanfo bra na ɛkyerɛ.
Ɔman no, sɛ ɛbɛ yɛ yie o! Ɔman no, sɛ ɛrenyɛ yie o!; Ɛyɛ nsɛ nahɔ sɛ, Ɔmanfo bra na ɛkyerɛ.(Chorus 2x): Whether or not this nation prospers! Whether or not this nation prospers!; Clearly depends on the character of the citizens of the nation.
Whether or not this nation prospers! Whether or not this nation prospers!; Clearly depends on the character of the citizens of the nation.Second stanzaNhoma nimdeɛ huhugyan, ngyan ana ade anyara kwa; Ne ɔbrakyew de ɛsɛe, ɔman na ɛbɔ no ahohora; Asoɔmerɛ ne obupa yɔnko yiyɛ di pɛ daa, Ahofama ntetekwaam ma nnipa biara yiyɛ de; Ɛno mmom na ɛde asomdwee ne nkɔsoɔ pa brɛ ɔman.
Ɔman no, sɛ ɛbɛyɛ yie o! Ɔman no, sɛ ɛrenyɛ yie o!; Ɛyɛ nsɛnnahɔ sɛ, Ɔmanfo bra na ɛkyerɛ.Obedience and respect; Caring for the welfare of one another everyday, Selflessness in the traditional way; Ensures each person’s welfare, That is what will bring peace and prosperity to our nation.
Whether or not this nation prospers! Whether or not this nation prospers!; Clearly depends on the character of the citizens of the nation.
References
External links "Yen Ara Asase Ni with Translation" - audio of anthem, with information and lyrics "Mia denyigba lɔ̃lɔ la" performed in Ewe by the Chœur de l’Unité Togolaise at the Ecowas choir festival April 2019 in Lomé Togo Lyrics in Ewe, Twi, English and Ga