The song “No Competition” by Ghanaian music icon Okyeame Kwame, featuring Kuami Eugene, is now being studied academically at the University of Media Arts and Communication Institute of Journalism.
Daniel Obeng Acquah, a lecturer in African Anthropology, used the song and its music video to investigate the incorporation of African cultural components in contemporary media.
The talk, titled “Exploring African Culture Through Music,” emphasized the importance of “No Competition” in representing Ghanaian traditions and identity.
Okyeame Kwame highlighted the song and video’s instructional potential by offering an analysis of the cultural elements included throughout. He told the kids, “We can preserve and celebrate our heritage by using art as a medium for cultural expression.”
The song’s lively portrayal of African themes was examined by UniMAC-IJ students, who also talked about the song’s potential as a cultural teaching tool.
“Studying ‘No Competition’ in an academic setting opened my eyes to the depth of cultural storytelling in music,” said Sandra, one of the course’s students.
“The way that Okyeame Kwame incorporates traditional aspects into his artwork is remarkable,” she added.
Prince, an additional pupil, contemplated the instructive significance of the meeting. The author remarked that examining the cultural allusions in Okyeame Kwame’s compositions helped him to recognize the potency of music as a tool for cultural teaching. “Seeing our history so thoughtfully reflected in modern music is inspiring.”
Daniel Obeng Acquah is a lecturer in the Department of Integrated Social Sciences, specializing in Introduction to Africa and World Development. He highlighted the value of integrating contemporary cultural works into academic studies to enhance students’ comprehension of
African history and keep them engaged.
“Bridging the gap between traditional studies and modern media, integrating Okyeame Kwame’s ‘No Competition’ into our curriculum offers students a practical example of cultural representation in today’s world,” he said.
The effort was applauded by Dr. Daniel Odoom, Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Social Sciences, who also emphasized the value of researching modern cultural artifacts in academic settings.
Dr. Odoom stated, “Okyeame Kwame’s work offers invaluable insights into the ways modern music can reflect and promote African culture.”
BY: APPIANIMAA MERCY
