by John Reid

Nsa baako nkura adesoa: A burden is lighter when many people carry it. 

This proverb is used to govern social infrastructure in Ghana, and some say it could also have positive effects on mental health. Through the singing of Tema Choir USA, they bring healing and empowerment to the Prince William County community.

As the second largest minority in Prince William County next to El Salvadorians, the Ghanaian community has an imprint in the area. Whether it’s through restaurants, churches, and businesses, one can see the vibrancy through each institution. For the past five years, Tema Choir USA has added to it through their voices, and it is through the vision of Director Ebenezer A. Allotey.

Ebenezer Allotey came to the United States from Ghana in 2008 and settled in Woodbridge after serving in both New York and New Jersey as an organist and music director. Taking the roots from its more famous compatriot, Tema Youth Choir, he is introducing Woodbridge to the beautiful Ghanaian culture through the power of song. According to their website, the mission of Tema Choir USA is as follows:

• To create and nurture a diverse community through singing and performing together. 
• To develop the musical skills and talents of volunteer, non-auditioned singers through the discipline of learning and performing high-quality choral music. 
• To use choral music performances as a pathway for promoting social change and nurturing cultural interactions.
• To perform charity benefit concerts to support the homeless and the less privileged in the community. 
• To bring emotional and spiritual healing through music and singing to residents of Senior Living Communities.
• To organize and perform charity benefit concerts and events, with the aim of assisting deprived schools in Ghana with educational materials.

I visited one of their recent practices to observe, and what I got was more than just a gathering, it was an ethereal experience. They rehearsed the song “Onipamama N’efura Kente” (It is the rich that wears Kente!) by Newlove Kojo Annan. As each note was sang with brilliance, from alto to tenors, it resonated throughout the Clearbrook Center for the Arts. Although it was a small gathering, if you closed your eyes, you could imagine being at the National Cathedral.

Afterwards I spoke with members of Tema Choir USA. One gentleman spoke on why the importance of representation matters.

“Usually when we go out, a lot of Ghanaians don’t know we have a choir like this. Yes, there are church choirs, but a community choir that goes out to sing and introduces the culture, it’s unique and special. Being able to showcase what Ghana is all about, it’s amazing.”

“For me, the fact I’m part of the Ghanaian community, it allows us to bring share my experiences through my voice.”

One of the newer choir members talked about the significance in being a bridge from Ghana to the Prince William County community.

“I always believed that being part of something bigger than yourself has meaning. I just joined recently, and I wouldn’t never imagined singing in a way I can represent my home.”

“It also takes us back home. It gives us a memory of what we experienced. It’s difficult to have a community choir that can speak to the suffering in our own language. It’s emotional, we can express it in this manner. It takes us back to our roots.”

For some, singing is a way to help heal from the challenges of the day.

“It brings confirmation, because some people listen to the way you sing, it brings their burdens down. We are encouraging people with what they may be going through.”

Finally, we spoke with Allotey, who shared how the journey came to be.

“I read the history of the choirs here in America,” he said, “and when I came to Woodbridge, I thought about starting something similar to what we founded in Ghana. It was difficult at first, but to see the dedication of the people who come together and go to the events, it shows what we are doing is necessary.”

He recalled hosting virtual choir meetings as they navigated through the 2020 global pandemic. “We had to perform virtually, but it kept us together. We weathered the storm, and now we are singing in so many places.”

“Last December,” he continued, “we had our fifth anniversary lunch at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, and then recently an Easter celebration. It shows people believe in what we are doing.”

As a whole, the vision of Tema Choir USA is more than singing, it’s about changing lives.

“When I’m stressed from work,” said one member, “coming to practice relieves me. There is no one in this world, when you sing, it will calm you down. Music is medicinal, it’s spiritual, and physical. When we sing, they may not understand the words, but they dance, they move to the beat and words. That means they’re healing.”