Former Western Regional Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has issued a call for a national, strategic push to revive Ghana’s iconic Highlife music.
He warned that the genre risks fading into obscurity if deliberate measures are not taken to nurture emerging talents and strengthen the industry’s structure.
He traced the deep historical and cultural roots of Highlife, describing it as the foundation from which many modern African genres, including Afrobeats, have evolved.
“If you want to recognise a song as Highlife, it’s that little part of the music… that signature that tells you this is Highlife,” he explained.
“Afrobeats is a conservation of Highlife. It came from Highlife. Even Hiplife is a modification of Highlife. There’s a connection if we get Highlife solid, the other genres will grow.”
The MP, a confessed lover of Ghanaian music legends, lamented the declining number of active Highlife artistes today.
According to him, unless the state moves swiftly to identify and support musicians showing promise in the genre, Highlife could struggle to survive in the fast-evolving global music market.
“Only a few artistes are currently engaged in Highlife. If we are not careful, it might die off,” he warned.
“We need a strategic arrangement to pick those showing potential, support them to grow, and ensure they can deliver more for this country.”
Mr Darko-Mensah also shared personal memories, revealing his family’s longstanding connection to Ghanaian music.
“My grandmother set up the first nightclub in Takoradi,” he recalled. “In her days, Highlife dominated before foreign music came in, and later, hiplife.”
The MP raised concerns about the persistent struggles of Ghanaian musicians, especially around royalty payments, intellectual property protection, and welfare in old age.
He cited repeated complaints against rights organisations such as GHAMRO, urging the ministry to step in decisively.
“Most musicians in Ghana complain they are not getting real value for their labour… The ministry must look quickly at this area. After years of investment, artistes should have benefits in old age that can sustain them and inspire the younger ones.”
Drawing parallels with the global music economy, he stressed that Ghana has the potential to replicate the lucrative model seen in the United States.
“In America, music is money. We should be able to achieve the same here in Ghana,” he argued.
Mr Darko-Mensah praised efforts to promote Highlife under the tourism ministry, noting that the genre remains one of Ghana’s strongest cultural exports. But he insisted that sustained financial, institutional and structural backing would be key to fully unlocking its value.
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