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{{Short description|Sierra Leonean entertainer, writer and diplomat (1927–1975)}}
'''John Joseph Akar''' (1927–1975) was a [[Sierra Leone]]an (from a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] descent) [[entertainer]], [[writer]], and [[diplomat]]. He served as Sierra Leonean [[Ambassador]] to the United States. Today, he is probably best known for composing the music of the [[High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free|Sierra Leone's National Anthem]]. He was born in [[Rotifunk]], [[Moyamba District]] to an ethnic [[Sherbro people|Sherbro]] mother and a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] father.
'''John Joseph Akar''' (1927–1975) was a [[Sierra Leone]]an [[entertainer]], [[writer]], and [[diplomat]].<ref name="TheNewYorkTimes">{{cite news|title=John Akar, Actor, Writer And Sierra Leone Envoy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/01/archives/john-akar-actor-writer-and-sierra-leone-envoy.html|accessdate=24 October 2017|work=The New York Times|date=1 July 1975}}</ref> He served as Sierra Leonean [[ambassador]] to the United States.<ref name="TheNewYorkTimes" /> Today, he is probably best known for composing the music of [[High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free|Sierra Leone's National Anthem]].


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
John Joseph Akar was born in 1927 in the small town of [[Rotifunk]], [[Moyamba District]] in the [[Southern Province, Sierra Leone|Southern Province]] of Sierra Leone, to an ethnic [[Sherbro people|Sherbro]] mother and to a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] father. Akar attended the E.U.B. primary school in Rotifunk, and proceeded to [[Albert Academy]] secondary school in [[Freetown]]. After he completed his secondary education, he moved to the [[United States]] to study [[commercial radio]] and [[television]]
Akar was born in the small town of [[Rotifunk]], [[Moyamba District]] in the [[Southern Province, Sierra Leone|Southern Province]] of [[Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate|British Sierra Leone]], to an ethnic [[Sherbro people|Sherbro]] mother and to a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] father. Akar attended the E.U.B. primary school in Rotifunk, and proceeded to [[Albert Academy]] secondary school in [[Freetown]]. After he completed his secondary education, he moved to the [[United States]].


== Career ==
== Career ==
In 1960, Akar became the first non-[[Sierra Leone Creole people|Creole]] and the first Sherbro to be appointed Director of Broadcasting of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services (SLBS). As director, Akar raised Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services to its highest professional standard, and reflect the true image of Sierra Leone, it music, and culture.
In 1960, Akar became the first non-[[Sierra Leone Creole people|Creole]] and the first Sherbro to be appointed Director of Broadcasting of the [[Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services]] (SLBS).


In 1963, Akar founded the National Danced Troop. He used the group to encourage Sierra Leoneans to be proud of the cultural heritage. In 1964, Akar and the National Dance troop were invited to the United States to perform at New York world fair. They won the best performance of the fair, and was presented with [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]]. in late 1964, they performed at the art festival in [[London]], were thousands of [[United Kingdom|British]] came to welcome them. In 1965 they performed at the Negro Arts festival in [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]]. In 1966, they went on a four months [[Concert tour|tour]] of [[Europe]], including performances in [[Germany]], [[Sweden]] and [[France]].
In 1963, Akar founded the National Dance Troupe to encourage Sierra Leoneans to have pride in their cultural heritage. In 1964, he and the National Dance Troupe were invited to the United States to perform at [[1964 New York World's Fair|New York World's Fair]]. They were presented with a [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]] won for giving the best performance of the fair. In late 1964, they performed at the art festival in [[London]]. In 1965 they performed at the [[World Festival of Black Arts|Negro Arts Festival]] in [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]]. In 1966, they went on a four-month [[Concert tour|tour]] of Europe, including performances in [[Germany]], [[Sweden]] and [[France]].

Akar was a repeat guest on the ''[[Merv Griffin Show]]'' on television.

==References==
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* http://www.sierra-leone.org/heroes10.html
* https://web.archive.org/web/20070701223936/http://www.sierra-leone.org/heroes10.html
*{{IMDb name|0015090}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Akar, John
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1927
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 1975
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akar, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akar, John}}
[[Category:1927 births]]
[[Category:1927 births]]
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[[Category:Ambassadors of Sierra Leone to the United States]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of Sierra Leone to the United States]]
[[Category:Sierra Leonean composers]]
[[Category:Sierra Leonean composers]]
[[Category:People from Moyamba District]]
[[Category:20th-century journalists]]




Latest revision as of 21:54, 20 December 2022

John Joseph Akar (1927–1975) was a Sierra Leonean entertainer, writer, and diplomat.[1] He served as Sierra Leonean ambassador to the United States.[1] Today, he is probably best known for composing the music of Sierra Leone's National Anthem.

Early life[edit]

Akar was born in the small town of Rotifunk, Moyamba District in the Southern Province of British Sierra Leone, to an ethnic Sherbro mother and to a Lebanese father. Akar attended the E.U.B. primary school in Rotifunk, and proceeded to Albert Academy secondary school in Freetown. After he completed his secondary education, he moved to the United States.

Career[edit]

In 1960, Akar became the first non-Creole and the first Sherbro to be appointed Director of Broadcasting of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services (SLBS).

In 1963, Akar founded the National Dance Troupe to encourage Sierra Leoneans to have pride in their cultural heritage. In 1964, he and the National Dance Troupe were invited to the United States to perform at New York World's Fair. They were presented with a plaque won for giving the best performance of the fair. In late 1964, they performed at the art festival in London. In 1965 they performed at the Negro Arts Festival in Dakar, Senegal. In 1966, they went on a four-month tour of Europe, including performances in Germany, Sweden and France.

Akar was a repeat guest on the Merv Griffin Show on television.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "John Akar, Actor, Writer And Sierra Leone Envoy". The New York Times. 1 July 1975. Retrieved 24 October 2017.

External links[edit]


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