The Best Amazing Morale Performance by Serious Morale at SG Mall (Uplifting Souls through Jama)
SERIOUS MORALE, Premiered Jan 11, 2025
"Last year, We had the privilege of performing at
Semanhyia Golden Mall. The primary objective of this event was to uplift the
spirits of those in attendance. We would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude
to the management of Semenhyia Golden Mall for providing us with the
opportunity to perform on their premises."
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Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part IV of a four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian (West African) "jamas" (also known as "Morale") .
"Jama" (morale") are motivational songs and chants that are performed prior to, during, and after sports events and/or on other occasions such as informal gatherings and competitions between university resident hall students, as well as festival and other performances by professional music groups or by community groups.
This post presents information about the musical ensemble Serious Morale and showcases videos of five performances by that ensemble.
Click the link below each YouTube video to read comments in its discussion thread.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/06/information-about-ghana-west-africas.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents information about the history of jama (morale) and presents some descriptions about these musical events.
This post is a complete reprint of my October 24, 2015 pancocojams post entitled "Ghanaian Jama (Gyama) - Definitions, Examples, & Comments"
The comments that I wrote in that 2015 post's discussion thread are reprinted in this post.
The 2015 post is still available in this blog and additional comments to that post's discussion thread are still welcome.
In addition to the 2015 content, this 2026 post also includes two AI Overviews on this subject that are the result of my June 23, 2026 queries.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/06/five-video-examples-of-ghanas-black.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases five YouTube videos of jama (morale) performed by Black Star, Ghana's professional football (soccer) team or their supporters.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/06/examples-of-ghanaian-jama-morale-from.html for Part III of this pancocojams series.That post showcases five YouTube video examples of jama (morale) performed by university students. These videos are presented in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
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The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Serious Morale for their music and their ministry. Thanks also to Mark Agodoa for his writing that is re-printed in part in this pancocojams post.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE MUSIC ENSEMBLE "SERIOUS MORALE"
From https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/entertainment/serious-morale-redefining-the-art-of-jama/2025/
By Mark Agodoa, March 25, 2025
"The journey of Serious Morale has been
punctuated by remarkable performances that have earned them a special place in
the hearts of Ghanaians. Their first major breakthrough came at a wedding in
Accra, organized by an influential figure on X (formerly Twitter) named S.K.
However, it was their performance at the Colour Calabash Festival in Spintex
(2024) that truly solidified their place in the public consciousness. When
technical glitches plunged the event into darkness, the group’s unshakable
focus turned a potential disaster into an awe-inspiring, unforgettable
performance, leaving the audience with goosebumps.
Serious Morale traces its origins to the Mampong Technical College of Education (MTCE), where morale sessions had been practiced informally for over a century. Though not initially recorded, these gatherings created the foundation for what would eventually evolve into a cultural powerhouse. A breakthrough came when a video of one of their morale sessions, featuring Evans Okai (affectionately known as Nii Okai) wearing a white helmet, went viral. This pivotal moment marked the birth of the Serious Morale team and injected a renewed sense of purpose into their performances, galvanizing their growing fanbase.
The name Serious Morale emerged organically. Initially, the group was nameless, but the leader would frequently shout “serious” when the energy levels of the performers dipped, and this would reignite their passion and re-energize their spirits. This call to action led to the adoption of the now-iconic name, “Serious Morale”. Though it started as an all-male ensemble owing to its roots from a male institution, the group plans to diversify by welcoming female members, a move that promises to be a thrilling new chapter in the group’s evolving narrative.
Serious Morale is a leadership dynamic
that balances passion and discipline. Leading the charge is Nii Okai, whose
charisma and deep love for music inspire the group. Alongside him is Boakye
Joshua (known as Boakye Sensible), whose practical wisdom serves as the anchor
for the team.
Membership is made up of the morale
leader, the timer, drummer, malacash player, singers and backers and they all
play an integral part in shaping the ensemble’s distinct sound.
The group also benefits from the guidance of Patron Mr. Nat (Natty Bongo) and High Priest Abeiku Markin (Kweku), esteemed professors at MTCE. Kweku’s role as the group’s High Priest is not linked to traditional rituals because the only deity the group ascribes to is the Almighty God."...
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SERIOUS MORALE, Premiered Jun 24, 2024 Gospel Jama Booster 🎧💥
THIS VIDEO WAS DONE TO BOOST THE MORALE OF OTHERS AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY TO PUT SMILE ON THE FACES OF THOSE THAT ARE DOWN HEARTED..❤️🩹
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JehcVZrMav8
SHOWCASE VIDEO #3-Feel the energy of Ghana Gospel Jama that uplifted the Morale of Everyone at kumasi Jubilee Park
SERIOUS MORALE, Premiered Jul 11, 2024 #worshipsongs #gospelmusic #praise
This video shows our live performance at the Ashanti Regional Youth Conference @Kumasi Jubilee Park
It was an honor and a great experience to be Invited. WATCH THE FULL VIDEO AND HAVE A FEELING OF BEING SOAKED IN THE SPIRIT🔥
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SERIOUS MORALE, Premiered Jan 11, 2025
"Last year, We had the privilege of performing at Semanhyia Golden Mall. The primary objective of this event was to uplift the spirits of those in attendance. We would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the management of Semenhyia Golden Mall for providing us with the opportunity to perform on their premises.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odnVbbB3fnQ&t=169s
SERIOUS MORALE. Premiered May 7, 2025 Gospel Jama
Booster 🎧💥
~Phase 2, this is the Final part of our gospel Jama Morale that took place at
Harvest International Ministry ~ Accra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWKSBrXtHpw
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This concludes this four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian jama (morale).
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
On October 22, 2015, I received an email from Franknaros, a Ghanaian living in Norway who wrote that he found a pancocojams post on the Ghanaian song after hearing a Norwegian football team singing Che Che Kule after winning their football championship. That comment motivated me to see if I could find a video of that team singing "Che Che Kule". When I was unsuccessful with that search, I looked up Ghana's football team the Black Stars to see if they sang that song. That's how I happened upon videos of that team singing Jama. I had no knowledge about Ghanaian jama sessions before that search resulted in me watching those videos and reading comments in those discussion threads.
ReplyDeleteCorrection: The comment from Franknaros was posted as a comment to the pancocojams post on Che Che Kule and not sent as an email to me.
DeleteThat pancocojams post and its comments can be read by clicking: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/che-che-kule-origin-lyrics-videos.html?showComment=1445527534089#c3093248697235555117.
Here's another quote about the origins of the term "jam session":
… "no one knows for sure why an improvisational performance or informal session by a musical group is called a “jam session.” This usage, which dates back to the 1920s jazz scene, may be using the “pile on” or “pressure” sense of “jam” to describe the effect of many musicians playing together without a score. Or it may be invoking the use of “jam” in the “jelly” sense to mean “something sweet; a very nice treat,” a usage that dates back to the 19th century (“Without Real Jam — cash and kisses — this world is a bitterish pill,” Punch, 1885). I tend to think this “sweet treat” sense of “jam” is more likely to have been the source of “jam” in the musical world, given that we are taking about the slang of musicians, to whom a “jam” represents a welcome opportunity for self-expression.
http://www.word-detective.com/2011/09/jam/
-snip-
Some sources suggest that this meaning of the word "jam" may have come from the word "jamboree". Here are two definitions for "jamboree":
1.
a carousal; any noisy merrymaking.
2.
a large gathering, as of a political party or the teams of a sporting league, often including a program of speeches and entertainment." http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jamboree
-snip-
Could the Arabic word "jama'ah" (meaning "community") be a source for the word "jamboree" as well as the music meaning of the word "jam"?