Ghana has reached a pivotal moment where its rich musical heritage, particularly the iconic highlife genre, can be leveraged as a cultural commodity to showcase the nation’s identity on the global stage. Despite the intrinsic association of highlife with Ghana, concerted efforts to market its values and rhythms in the global music industry have been lacking.
Abena Ruthy, the Second Vice President of the Musician Association of Ghana, emphasized this point during an interview on the Adekyee Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. She underscored the importance of initiatives like the Ghana Music Month Festival as a platform to celebrate Ghana’s cultural legacy and the dynamic creativity of both young and seasoned Ghanaian artists.
Echoing similar sentiments on the show, Kofi Agyemang, the General Secretary of MUSIGA, lamented the diminishing global recognition of Ghanaian music, particularly highlife. He stressed the urgent need for deliberate efforts to position Ghanaian music as a valuable commodity in the global music market.
Agyemang outlined the diverse activities planned for the festival aimed at promoting Ghanaian music and supporting local artists. Additionally, the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) launched the ‘Let’s Play Ghana Music’ project to reignite public interest in Ghanaian music, with a special concert dedicated to highlife music scheduled for March 30, 2024, at the Gold Coast Restaurant.
These initiatives align with the broader goal of showcasing Ghana’s cultural richness and heritage during the Ghana Month celebrations. Bessa Simons, the president of MUSIGA, highlighted the significance of using the Heritage Month of March to foster the consumption and appreciation of Ghanaian music.
Simons emphasized the importance of actively promoting local music through various channels and supporting emerging artists through health screenings, seminars on music and tourism, as well as music business and investment opportunities. He urged Ghanaians to prioritize local music consumption as a means of preserving national pride and identity.
In essence, promoting Ghanaian music not only contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage but also serves as a powerful tool for national unity and collective identity.
AYM Kukah: Email: kukahalexander7@gmail.com
