Edwokome Adá: A Creative-Compositional Model for Contemporary Ghanaian Art Songs

In Ghana, the most widely recognised art songs remain Ephraim Amu’s three solo compositions and J.H. Nketia’s Sankundwom. These works have been extensively performed in schools, concert halls, and music examinations both locally and internationally. However, their frequent use has exposed a significant gap— the absence of a structured creative model to guide modern Ghanaian composers working within the art song tradition. Preliminary investigations revealed that contemporary composers often lack a coherent framework for crafting new Ghanaian-oriented art songs. This article introduces Edwokome Adá, a creative-compositional model developed to support the composition of contemporary Ghanaian art songs for performance. Grounded in theoretical review, the model integrates intercultural elements, blending Ghanaian and Western musical idioms. It is anticipated that Edwokome Adá will serve as a catalyst for emerging composers, enriching the repertoire and contributing to a vibrant contemporary art music scene in Ghana.