Sir Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei (FGA), Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana and Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, has called for the strategic use of music as a powerful tool for promoting human rights, environmental protection and the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Delivering the 2026 Ephraim Amu Memorial Lecture hosted by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) on Thursday, 28 May 2026, at the GAAS Secretariat in Accra, he argued that music possesses a unique capacity to educate, mobilize and influence behaviour across all segments of society. Speaking on the theme, “Advancing Human Rights Through Music,” he described music as one of the most effective instruments for public education and advocacy because of its universality, emotional appeal and memorability.
Drawing inspiration from the life and works of Ephraim Amu, one of Ghana’s foremost composers, educators and cultural nationalists, he noted that music has long served as a vehicle for promoting social values, civic responsibility and national consciousness. He observed that Ephraim Amu’s compositions transcended entertainment and addressed issues of identity, self reliance, patriotism and moral responsibility, demonstrating the transformative role music can play in shaping society.
According to him, music has historically played a significant role in exposing injustice, mobilising communities and advancing social and political reforms. Unlike legal documents, policy papers and speeches, songs are accessible to both literate and non literate audiences, enabling them to communicate complex issues in ways that are relatable, engaging and enduring.
Referring to Amu’s celebrated composition Yen Ara Asaase Ni, he noted that its message of stewardship and responsibility towards the nation remains particularly relevant today in the face of environmental degradation caused by illegal mining. He argued that music could be strategically deployed to strengthen environmental consciousness, promote respect for human rights and inspire collective action to address pressing national challenges.
Drawing examples from around the world, he highlighted the contributions of musicians such as Bob Marley, Miriam Makeba and Fela Kuti, whose works challenged oppression, corruption, apartheid and other forms of human rights abuse. Their music, he said, helped shape public opinion, preserve historical memory and inspire social and political transformation.
To advance the use of music as a tool for human rights and environmental advocacy, Sir Justice Adjei proposed several recommendations, including the integration of human rights messages into mainstream Ghanaian music through local languages and popular genres such as gospel and hiplife. He also recommended that the Ministry of Education incorporate songs with human rights themes into moral education programmes, school activities and civic education initiatives to instil positive values in children from an early age.
He further called for support for the production of music addressing environmental degradation and the effects of galamsey, as well as the preservation and digitization of songs associated with social movements. He advocated the creation of safe and inclusive platforms for music-based advocacy and encouraged radio and television stations to dedicate pro bono airtime to rights-based content. Additionally, he proposed tax incentives for musicians and media organisations that actively promote human rights and environmental advocacy.
Chairing the lecture, Emerita Professor Isabella Akyinbah Quakyi (FGA), President of the Academy, commended Sir Justice Adjei for highlighting the enduring role of music in advancing human rights and social transformation. The event attracted Fellows and Past Presidents of the Academy, academics, policymakers, lawmakers and students from Labone Senior High School and Presbyterian Senior High School.
The Ephraim Amu Memorial Lecture honours the memory of Ephraim Amu, one of Ghana’s most celebrated composers, musicologists and cultural icons. His works, including Yen Ara Asaase Ni, Yaanom Abibirimma, Asem Yi Di Ka and Bonwire Kente (Kro Hi Kro), remain enduring symbols of Ghana’s cultural heritage, national identity and commitment to collective responsibility.
