A Renowned Educationist from Jirapa in the Upper West Region but based outside the shores of Ghana as a Lecturer and Researcher, Professor Adams Bodomo has recounted a prolific poem he released some 30 Years ago and how it has impacted lives.

“This poem is now 30 years old…I wrote it in 1994 in Stanford, California, USA.”

Read the Poem Below:

GHANA’S NATIONAL AFENHYIAPA
Yidandoba, Nananom, Stalwarts
I think of you
Many markets have come and gone
Many moons have come and passed
And as the tick tock clock of time
Ticks tocks to Two oh two oh
I think of you

Bayong
Hero of the baobab
Naa Gamni
Greatest of all Architects
Osagyefo Kuntunkununku
Togbe Adzaladza of Taviafe
Nii Nortey Kwakwanya
Holders of the fort
As the year gets by
From far away lands
Permit me to send a message to the nation

From Ogua through the golden bellows of Oboase to
Komase
From Komase across the Kwahu mountains to Koforidua
The message to my people in Akan is:
Afenhyiapa
I say
Afenhyiapa

From the sea waters of Ada
To the top of Afadzato
Tell them in Ewe:
Fe ye yie nawo
I say
Fe ye yie nawo

From Tamale right down to Yendi
From Walewale to Nalerigu
The word in Dagbane is:
Ne te yuopalli
I say
Ne te yuopalli

From Wa right through Nadoli to GyerEbaa
From GyerEbaa through Lora to Nandom
Bastion of Naa Polkuu Konkuu Kyire
After your welcome toosee
You shall say clearly in Dagaare:
Ne te yuopaalaa
I say
Ne te yuopaalaa

From Lambussie through Welembelle to Tumu
Tell my people I greet them
Say this in Isaaleng:
Wiise billaa bim fella
I say
Wiise billaa bim fella

From Chaana through Nagvoro to Paga
The message in Kasem is:
Dem binduri le
I say
Dem binduri le

From Axim to Half Assini
Visit the tomb of Nkrumah
And say it loud in Nzema:
Evole kpale edoye
I say
Evole kpale edoye

And when all is said and done
All roads lead to Ga
My message for the people of the capital is:
Afi aya ni afi aba
I say
Afi aya ni afi aba

And when the days go by
And the hour cometh
You shall gather the people
Gather all my
Fathers, mothers
Brothers, sisters
Sons and daughters
And together
From North to South
From East to West
Together
We shall sing to the nation
We shall sing as the nation:

Afenhyiapa
Ne te yuopaalaa
Ne te yuopalli
Fe ye yie nawo
Afi aya ni afi aba
Dem binduri le
Evole kpale edoye
Wiise billaa bim fella

Twelve moons of nation building!
This year’s resolution is:
“Forward Ever, Backward Never!”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

© Dr. A. B. Bodomo