President of MUSIGA, Bessa Simons, has stressed the need for Ghanaian musicians to protect and promote authentic African rhythms, especially highlife, which remains a true musical identity of the nation.
He made the remarks after Ghanaian musicians missed out on the recently announced Grammy nominations, a development that has sparked conversations about the direction of Ghanaian music and its global visibility.
Speaking in an interview with Peace Fm’s Akwasi Aboagye on Peace Fm Entertainment Review, he noted that many countries across the continent including Nigeria and South Africa have maintained musical identities that make their cultures easily recognizable. He emphasized that Ghana must do the same.
According to him, although highlife remains Ghana’s indigenous sound, many young musicians appear to downplay or distance themselves from it, weakening the genre’s value instead of strengthening it.
Bessa Simons explained that highlife has been recognized internationally as part of Ghana’s cultural heritage, which shows how important it is to preserve the genre. He praised veteran highlife musicians and producers for keeping the sound alive through strong melodies and distinct rhythms.
He encouraged younger artistes to embrace highlife, refine it, and develop unique styles that the world can identify as Ghanaian. He added that when Ghana safeguards its musical roots, it becomes easier for global audiences to appreciate and celebrate the country’s music.
“Highlife represents who we are,” he said, calling for unity among musicians and stakeholders to protect the genre and push it further onto the world stage.
