National Anthems of the World

Lyrics, history and anecdotes

🇬🇭 Ghana

The national anthem of Ghana is called: « God Bless Our Homeland Ghana ».

Continent: Africa

Bordering Countries:
🇧🇫 Burkina Faso
🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire
🇹🇬 Togo

History of « God Bless Our Homeland Ghana »

« God Bless Our Homeland Ghana » is the national anthem of Ghana. The anthem reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage, its journey to independence, and the unity of its people.

Key Dates and People

  • 1957: The lyrics of the anthem were written by Michael Kwame Gbordzoe, a Ghanaian student. The music was composed by Philip Gbeho, a renowned Ghanaian musician. The anthem was officially adopted on March 6, 1957, coinciding with Ghana’s declaration of independence from British colonial rule.

Anecdotes

  • Independence Celebration: « God Bless Our Homeland Ghana » was first performed during the independence celebrations on March 6, 1957. The anthem marked a significant moment in the history of Ghana, symbolizing the country’s newfound sovereignty and national pride.
  • Composer’s Legacy: Philip Gbeho, the composer, played a crucial role in the creation of the anthem. His contributions to Ghanaian music and culture are celebrated as part of the nation’s heritage. Michael Kwame Gbordzoe, the lyricist, was a student when he wrote the lyrics, reflecting the youthful spirit and aspirations of the newly independent nation.
  • Cultural Significance: The anthem is performed at national celebrations, official ceremonies, and sporting events, reinforcing its role in uniting the Ghanaian people and celebrating their heritage. The anthem’s stirring lyrics and melody inspire a sense of unity and pride among Ghanaians.
  • Symbol of Unity: The lyrics of the anthem emphasize unity, peace, and progress, reflecting the aspirations of the Ghanaian people as they embarked on their journey as an independent nation.

Lyrics Excerpt

In English

God bless our homeland Ghana,
And make our nation great and strong,
Bold to defend forever
The cause of Freedom and of Right.
Fill our hearts with true humility,
Make us cherish fearless honesty,
And help us to resist oppressors' rule
With all our will and might for evermore.

Hail to thy name, O Ghana,
To thee we make our solemn vow:
Steadfast to build together
A nation strong in Unity;
With our gifts of mind and strength of arm,
Whether night or day, in the midst of storm,
In every need, whate'er the call may be,
To serve thee, Ghana, now and evermore.

Raise high the flag of Ghana,
And one with Africa advance;
Black star of hope and honour
To all who thirst for liberty;
Where the banner of Ghana freely flies,
May the way to freedom truly lie;
Arise, arise, O sons of Ghanaland,
And under God march on for evermore.

In Akan

Onyankopɔn nhyira Ghana man,
Na ɔnyɛ ɔman kɛse na den,
Nokwaredi mu nsɔre
Ne sɔretia ne trenee.
Ma yɛn koma mu mmɔden,
Ma yɛn ho adwempa mmɔden,
Na yɛn ho mmɔden so atia
Nnipahunu ne tumi nyinaa.

Nhyira nka wo din, O Ghana,
Wo ho yɛ yɛn bɔhyɛ kronkron:
Yɛbɛyɛ ɔman kɛse
A ɔde yɛn nyinaa bɛka;
Yɛn adwene ne yɛn nsa ano,
Sɛ anadwo anaa sɛ awia,
Sɛ ɔhyew anaa sɛ osu,
Yɛbɛsom wo, Ghana, daa nyinaa.

Ma Ghana frankaa so,
Na yɛn ne Afrika nyinaa nante;
Ɔsram tenten a ɔde anidaso
Ma wɔn a wɔpɛ ahofadi;
Ɛhe a Ghana frankaa bɔ,
Ɛhɔ na ahofadi wɔ;
Sɔre, sɔre, O mmarima a mowɔ Ghanaman mu,
Na mo ne Onyankopɔn nante daa nyinaa.

In Ewe

Mawu nayra mía denyigba Ghana
Eye na míaƒe dukɔa nalolo eye wòasẽ ŋu,
Dzinɔameƒotɔe be wòaʋli eta tegbee
Ablɔɖe kple Gomenɔamesi ƒe Nya;
Mitsɔ ɖokuibɔbɔ vavãtɔ yɔ míaƒe dziwo me fũ,
Na míade asixɔxɔ anukwareɖiɖi si me vɔvɔ̃ mele o ŋu,
𝄆 Z Eye nàkpe ɖe mía ŋu míatsi tre ɖe ameteteɖeanyilawo ƒe dziɖuɖu ŋu
Le míaƒe lɔlɔ̃nu kple ŋusẽ katã me tegbee. 𝄇

Mido gbe na wò ŋkɔ, Oo Ghana,
Wòe míedo míaƒe adzɔgbe vevi la na wò.
Mili ke be miatu nu ɖekae
Dukɔ si sesẽ le Ðekawɔwɔ me;
Le míaƒe susu kple alɔ ƒe ŋusẽ ƒe nunanawo me la,
Eɖanye zã alo keli o, le kuɖiɖi alo ahom me,
𝄆 X Le hiahiã ɖesiaɖe me la, yɔyɔ ka kee ɖanye o, .
Be masubɔ wò, Ghana, fifia kple tegbee. 𝄇

Do Ghana ƒe aflaga ɖe dzi
Kple ɖeka si me Afrika do ŋgɔ le;
Mɔkpɔkpɔ kple bubu ƒe ɣletivi ameyibɔ
Na amesiwo katã ƒe ablɔɖe ƒe tsikɔ le wuwum;
Afisi Ghana ƒe aflaga dzona faa le la,
Neva eme be ablɔɖemɔ la nanye alakpa vavã;
𝄆 O Ghana-nyigba dzi viwo, tso, tso,
Eye le Mawu te la, yi edzi tegbee!

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