Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo has stressed the urgent need for Ghana to establish a distinct musical identity to enhance its global recognition. Acknowledging Ghana’s historical contribution as pioneers of Highlife music, she noted the absence of a singular, recognizable genre that defines Ghanaian music on the international stage.
During a stakeholder engagement with music industry leaders, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo remarked, “When we mention Ghana music, the question often arises, ‘What is Ghana music?’ While we support a diverse range of styles, it’s crucial for our producers and musicians to create a unique sound that originates from Ghana. Whether it’s Highlife or Hiplife, the goal is to establish a universally acknowledged musical identity.”
She highlighted the challenge of pinpointing a distinct Ghanaian sound in global music, emphasizing that this should not be the case. “Our music industry needs to reach a point where audiences worldwide can readily identify Ghana’s musical signature,” she asserted.
Gyankroma clarified that the initiative is not about limiting musicians to specific genres but about fostering a cohesive and recognizable music identity.
In a related effort, Ghana launched the PlayGhana initiative in December 2023 to revive the presence of Ghanaian music on local airwaves amidst a declining trend.