19 Facts About Philip Gbeho

Philip Comi Gbeho was a Ghanaian musician, composer and teacher.

Philip Gbeho is best known for his composition of the Ghana National Anthem.

Philip Gbeho was instrumental in the establishment of the Arts Council of Ghana and was a Director of Music and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Ghana.

Philip Gbeho attended Keta Roman Catholic Boys School, where he was introduced to the organ, which he learnt to play in a short time and even became a pupil organist until he left the school.

Philip Gbeho's mother, Ametowofa, from the Gadzekpo family, was a trader who was reputed to have musical talent and was a leader of the female singers in the village drumming and dancing group.

In January 1925, Philip Gbeho gained admission to the newly opened Achimota Teacher Training College in Accra.

Philip Gbeho was a pianist and violinist, both of which he excelled in because he developed his skills under the tutelage of expatriate teachers in Achimota College who were very versatile in music.

Philip Gbeho started an informal school of music in Keta that prepared students for the external examinations of London's Victoria College of Music.

Philip Gbeho accepted and began a new career as a music master at Achimota that same year.

Philip Gbeho became a regular broadcaster on the BBC overseas radio programmes, especially the then very popular Calling West Africa programme.

In 1950, Philip Gbeho was granted a Gold Coast government extension scholarship to continue to study at Trinity College of Music for the Graduate of Trinity College degree in music.

Philip Gbeho continued simultaneously with his lectures, broadcasts and African music performances at various venues in London, including the Artists International Centre in Piccadilly, the West African Students' Union Secretariat, Strawberry Hill College, the Royal Empire Society, the Royal Geographical Society, and Royal Kew Gardens.

Philip Gbeho returned to the Gold Coast upon graduation to resume the teaching of music at the Achimota Secondary School.

Philip Gbeho became a strong advocate of the establishment of an Arts Council and the building of a National Theatre.

Philip Gbeho gave several talks on national radio in which he led a renaissance in traditional music in the face of obstacles placed in its way by colonial missionary overlords.

On his return to Ghana from his studies abroad, Philip Gbeho dedicated his life to the teaching of music in Achimota School and, more importantly, to the reawakening of his countrymen and women about their cultural heritage, especially in music.

Philip Gbeho gave several talks on Radio Ghana on indigenous music and the need to preserve it.

When, in 1954, the government decided on setting up a statutory body to "foster, improve and preserve the traditional arts and culture of the Gold Coast", Philip Gbeho was appointed the Chairman of the Interim-Committee for the Arts Council of the Gold Coast.

Philip Gbeho's composition remains the national anthem of Ghana until now.