“Serious Morale”; redefining the art of ‘Jama’

By Belinda Nketia

In the Ghanaian context, “morale” popularly referred to as “Jama” embodies the singing of songs that uplifts individuals.
Jama songs often include lively call-and-response singing, accompanied by hand clapping, drumming and dancing with lyrics that can be humorous, motivational or even satirical.
It is especially popular in situations like sport events, military or paramilitary gatherings, team-building sessions and social occasions where unity and encouragement are needed.
The spontaneity and infectious energy of Jama songs makes it’s a powerful tool for rallying people together in a fun and culturally rooted way.

A group known by many as “Serious Morale” has emerged as a dynamic jama ensemble and this feature will enlighten you on all you need to know

Roots and Evolution

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.

Leadership and Teamwork

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.

Moments That Matter

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.

Crafting the Experience

The essence of Serious Morale’s appeal lies in their creative process. Each performance begins with a soft, unaccompanied chant, what they call the “call of the morale spirit.” This builds slowly into a full, electrifying ensemble, drawing both the performers and the audience into an electrifying experience. Their ability to read and adapt to the energy of the crowd is a hallmark of their performances, ensuring that each show is unique and deeply resonant.

Standing Apart

What sets Serious Morale apart from other morale groups is their commitment to purity in performance. They deliberately avoid songs with profane or inappropriate content, instead focusing on gospel-infused tunes that uplift and inspire. Their music is a means of strengthening spiritual and cultural ties. In places like classrooms, where Nii Okai is a student teacher, his morale sessions transform otherwise dreary mornings into moments of joy and positivity, bringing hope to students across various academic levels before serious academic work commences.

Challenges

Like any passionate endeavor, Serious Morale faces its share of challenges. Managing logistics like transportation, merchandise and coordinating members who come from different parts of the country ( for alumni and when school is on vacation) remains a constant struggle. Balancing academic responsibilities with performance commitments often requires tough choices, such as attending events and taking exams in the same week. Despite these challenges, the group remains committed to delivering exceptional performances, relying on the support of benefactors like Bernice Payne in the Netherlands, Mama Henrietta in Russia, and Monique in Austria and many others to help cover some of their expenses.

The Look and the Legacy

The visual identity of Serious Morale is as iconic as their sound. The helmet worn by the leader, which they adopted as their trademark symbol after that viral video, represents both the group’s origins and their enduring spirit. The instruments they use, including the Gome drum, djembe, and timer (a banana shaped metal instrument), further reflects their commitment to preserving tradition while pushing the boundaries of morale music. Their carefully chosen colours are BLUE for their MTCE roots, gold for high aspirations, white for purity, and ash for uniqueness.
For their slogan, it’s a call and response which goes like , Call: “Serious Morale!” Response: “Higher Morale!”

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, Serious Morale aims to be more than just a performance group. They envision themselves as a family bound together by a shared love for uplifting others. Their future plans include diversifying their membership and expanding their creative horizons, all while staying true to the cultural and spiritual values that have driven them since their inception. With every performance, they seek to prove that morale is more than just a practice but instead, a way of life, one that has the power to uplift and inspire people across the globe and not the traditional notion that people involved in morale are rowdy and rascals.
So if you need to get your spirit uplifted or you just want to vibe to some fine tunes, just visit any social media platform or music streaming platform and search for MTCE Moral or Serious Morale and that’ll be one of the best decisions you may have taken in a long while.

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