‘Yaawɔ' atentenben dirge honours late Busumuru Kofi Annan

A two-minute atentenben tribute titled "Yaawɔ" has been composed in honour of the Late Busumuru Kofi Annan.

"Yaawɔ", Ga for fare thee well, is the work of Nii Alabi Bortey, founder and leader of the Suade Cultural Academy.

Play to listen to Yaawɔ {mp3}Yaawɔ - Dirge to Kofi Annan by Nii Alabi Bortey{/mp3}

In notes accompanying the dirge distributed on audio CDs, Nii Alabi Bortey acknowledges that “The life of the late illustrious son of Africa has been a source of inspiration to many young Africans across the face of the globe.”

It continues that “Nii Alabi and the Suade Cultural Academy believe that the feat achieved by the late Busumuru Kofi Annan ought to be celebrated by Africans, especially Ghanaians.”

Nii Alabi therefore expressed the hope that ultimately the dirge would be accepted culturally as part of the "atentenben" dirge repertoire, and in this regard, each time "Yaawɔ" is played, the world and Africa will be reminded that they were once blessed to have hosted the late Busumuru Kofi Annan.

The former United Nations Secretary General who was celebrated as a global peace icon, died on 18th August, 2018 in Bern, Switzerland after a short illness, aged 80 years, and was given a state burial in Accra attended by state officials, traditional authorities and several foreign and international leaders.