Philip Gbeho

Philip Comi Gbeho (14 January 1904 – 24 September 1976) was a Ghanaian musician, composer and teacher. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Arts Council of Ghana and was a director of music and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Ghana. However, he is probably best known as the composer of the musical arrangement for Ghana's National Anthem.

Gbeho grew up in the southeastern town of Keta where he learned to play the organ at school and was a pupil organist. He furthered his musical education at teacher training college. In addition to teaching, he became an organist at the local cathedral where he founded a leading choir and started a small school of music to prepare students for external music exams. He received scholarships to study at the Trinity College of Music in London, where he held lectures, led a dance troupe, and became a regular broadcaster on the BBC overseas radio programmes.

On his return to the Gold Coast, he embarked on a campaign to popularise indigenous music. He was a strong advocate for the establishment of an Arts Council and the building of a National Theatre. He was also the leading force behind the creation of a National Symphony Orchestra and Choir. In 1958, he wrote the musical arrangement for Ghana's national anthem. For his contributions to art and culture, he was honoured in 1965 with a grand medal by the Arts Council of Ghana.

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