On November 6th, 2014, the Department of Arts and Sciences marked its first “Arts and Sciences Week”. The celebration aims at promoting awareness of the importance of Art and Sciences in education. The highlight was a celebration of Ghanaian cultural heritage through music. Under this theme, Agya Koo Nimo, legend of Ghanaian “Palm-wine Highlife” Music, and a respected global cultural icon, visited campus to join the celebration and share his experiences in music. 
Koo Nimo gave a formal lecture on the topic “Music: A Vital Ingredient for the Education of the Child”, making a case for holistic academic education that embraces (rather than alienates) the performing arts, critical thinking and creativity in all its forms. During the Q&A session, Koo Nimo discussed some of the major challenges he faced when he decided to join ‘guitar profession’ including losing his first love and his father’s strong disapproval.
The highlight of Koo Nimo’s visit, however, was a two-hour evening performance with his band (“Agofomma”) and guest artist Osei Kwame, referred to as the Seprewa virtuoso. Professor John Collins (a respected scholar on Ghanaian Highlife music, lecturer at Ashesi) who has worked with Koo Nimo on different projects introduced the artist and his group.
Students, staff, faculty and guests danced to some timeless Koo Nimo classics, including ‘Komfo Anokye’, ‘Kweku Don Nsuro’, ‘Aban Nkaba’ (Government’s Handcuffs) and Ohia Ye Ya (Poverty is Painful). It was two hours of spirited highlife music, drumming and Kete songs and dance.
In her closing remarks, Head of Department of Arts and Sciences, Mrs. Rebecca Awuah, thanked Koo Nimo and his group for making the trip from Kumasi to grace the occasion and thanked all staff, faculty and students who helped make the visit a success.