Dr. George Mensah Essilfie (GME) is an iconic Ghanaian composer, music educator, digital artist, and mentor whose life’s work stands at the intersection of creativity, cultural preservation, and social transformation. With a musical journey that began at the age of nine, GME has consistently used his gifts not only to elevate African art music but also to inspire peace, inclusion, and artistic excellence across continents.

He is the founder of SingAfriChoral, a non-profit arts organization devoted to preserving and promoting African Art Choral music. His commitment to artistic activism was internationally recognized in 1994 when his original composition "May Peace Prevail" won the World Peace Prayer and United Nations Music Contest, emerging as the top entry among 500 participants worldwide. This early milestone affirmed his enduring belief in the power of music to unite, heal, and advocate for global harmony.

In 1996, he was awarded a scholarship by the British Council to attend the Easter Music School for music educators in the United Kingdom, organized by the British Choral Institute. From 2003 to 2005, he served as the music director for Osagyefo, an African theatre company based in Luton, U.K., further exploring the role of music in community storytelling and cultural education.

A trailblazer in intercultural composition, GME was one of 32 composers selected globally for the prestigious 32 Bright Clouds Project, curated and performed by renowned pianist Yael Weiss. His composition "Hope for the Shackled" premiered in Washington, D.C. in January 2019, representing Ghana in this international dialogue through music. Inspired by Beethoven’s Sonata No. 16 and infused with African traditional musical elements, the piece was dedicated to individuals living with psychotic disorders, underscoring his continual use of music as a voice for the voiceless.

Among his recent major works are two full-scale African stage musicals, Songs of Akotam and Rejoice Africa, composed and premiered in 2023 and 2024. These original productions were performed by The Harmonious Chorale and One Voice Choir, two Ghanaian choral ensembles with strong global presence and reputations for artistic excellence. These works showcase GME’s mastery of theatrical storytelling through music and reaffirm his role as a leading creative force in contemporary African music theatre.

A lifelong educator, GME has taught and mentored emerging musicians across diverse contexts. Among his notable roles, he served as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Wilmington College in Ohio, where he taught in the College’s transformative Prison Education Program. This role reflected his deep commitment to justice, peacebuilding, and the belief that access to the arts and education can empower even the most marginalized communities.

From 2009 to 2022, GME served as Music Director for Ghanaian United Methodist Church Choirs in North America, enriching the spiritual and musical lives of congregations through worship leadership and training. His influence in Ghanaian choral art music includes the founding of the Winneba Youth Choir, an award-winning ensemble that has become a pillar of excellence and cultural pride.

GME’s compositions are deeply informed by his global experiences, having lived in the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This multicultural lens enables him to expertly fuse Western art music with traditional Ghanaian musical elements, creating a distinctive style rooted in tradition yet open to new artistic frontiers.

He holds a Doctorate in Worship Studies with a focus in Ethnomusicology from Liberty University, Virginia, USA, further grounding his artistic vision in theological insight and intercultural scholarship. His formal training also includes studies under renowned composers such as Prof. George Dor (University of Mississippi), Prof. John Carter (Capital University), and Prof. Joseph Baber (University of Kentucky). He also credits his elder siblings, Dr. Rexford Justice Essilfie and the late Harvey Essilfie, for nurturing his early musical development and shaping his lifelong pursuit of artistic purpose.

Over the years, his works have been performed at local and international festivals. He remains a respected figure in worship music, choral composition, and arts education. His contributions continue to shape a new generation of artists through mentorship, intercultural dialogue, and a deep belief in the power of music to transform lives.

"Osee Yee Kpanlogo" from " Songs of Akotam."

Community Action

The concert raised GHC 6000.00, which was donated to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to renovate a bathroom in the Male Observation Ward. On August 11th, 2015, led by Rev. Kweku Hazel from the Tesano Baptist Church, the donation was presented to the hospital.

MU-MENT

MUMENT (MUSIC + Mental Health) is an initiative by SingAfriChoral. It aims to amplify the organization's voice through music and support the mental health sector in providing the best care for patients.