Ghana’s King of R & B popularly known as Chemphe was announced as one of the artistes in Africa to collaborate and compose the “Africa Arise” song for the celebration of AU’s 50th anniversary this year.

The song which will be presented to the Au during the celebration will throw more light on youth empowerment and full participation of the youth in decision making. Some of the few artistes involved in the project include Juliani (Kenya), Amelina (Kenya) and Jimmy (Togo).

The criteria for selection were based on musicians with very good social works globally with corporate status.

Written by Dan, this song and a video complements a Memorandum that AAYMCA will present to the African Union (AU) and Ministers associated with the AU in all countries in which the YMCA has a presence.

This activity is part of the AU Golden Jubilee celebrations and is intended to both laud the AU on its 50 year Golden Jubilee and congratulate the AU for its dedication to the Pan-African agenda, and to express youth readiness to be part of Africa’s decision-making.

“My inspiration in writing the song is based on the youth the YMCA works with who have equipped themselves with leadership skills and civic competence to make a positive influence in our continent. It speaks for the youth to decision-makers to tell them we are ready to take a stand. At the same time, it calls on other youth to empower themselves to make positive change in Africa. I believe if you give someone a chance they can make a huge impact,” said Dan.

Chemphe is no newcomer to YMCA projects. He wrote the very popular S2C song, in collaboration with our youth in 2010, which took the YMCA global movement by storm and became the unofficial theme song at the Hong Kong World Council in the same year. In 2011, he went on to write Global Citizens for the TT Festival in Norway. Both these songs appear in his New Day album, which he launched at the TT Festival.

Chemphe has become a champion for YMCA youth empowerment, and back home in Ghana his name is often linked with the YMCA.

“My commitment to the YMCA has blessed my life and my work. Youth empowerment is key to the development of our countries and our continent. In all my work for the YMCA I am driven to advocate for youth to speak for themselves, and create spaces to show that they are citizens who are creative and committed to shape a future we can all be proud of,” he said.

The Memorandum states: “While the last 50 years have not been without controversy and many Africans, young people included, have not always supported the principles and decisions the AU makes, we can say for ourselves that we believe the AU to be an effective instrument of change on our continent. Just as we believe that the African Renaissance, which we aspire to, would be harder to seek without the pathway the AU has helped to shape.”

“As we look to the coming 50 years, the AAYMCA wishes to advocate that the AU secures the future of healthy democracies through the visible and active participation of youth leaders within AU structures and events.”