The acting President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Mr. Bessa Simons has intimated that one of the ways to sustain the;highlife genre as the national cultural heritage is by supporting young musicians who decide to do highlife music.
This follows the Ghanaian music scene being dominated by borrowed;genres, with Ghanaians making no strides in selling their music identity to the world. Speaking in an interview, the veteran musician mentioned that he was worried about the declining fortunes of highlife which according to him, represents the cultural heritage of Ghana.
”We need to support our young highlife musicians. Every country wants to sustain its cultural heritage, so as to curtail the influences of other foreign cultures. Many countries have support systems like grants for artists who want to do local music or film. So, these are the kind of things I would like the government to do in order to cushion young and upcoming musicians so that, they are not tempted to do other genres”.
Mr. Bessa added that plans have been initiated to get support for young musicians and hopes the package would be a game-changer for the rejuvenation of Highlife music.
”We have already started working at getting support for young musicians who want to do highlife music. But it is important we push the government to make this support available as soon as possible”.
Gyedu-Blay Laments over the decline of highlife music
That notwithstanding, Ghanaian Highlife Legend, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, speaking;about the decline of highlife music, has called on music industry players to preserve,; develop and promote Highlife as a genre that represents the national identity.
At the launch of the ‘Highlife Is Alive Fan Club’ in Accra, he bemoaned;the missing identity of music in recent times and expressed the belief;that the club would help uplift and sustain the Highlife genre.
”Every country has its own music. So, why do we have to leave highlife and chase other genres like reggae, and dancehall, among others? It is quite sad that our radios are supporting the promotion of other genres, which is a total deviation. Highlife is the mother of every dance music in the world. We cannot sit down and let highlife die because the younger ones are now doing songs on borrowed rhythms”.
He further posited that it became necessary for them;to save highlife music especially looking at how fast it is being declined by the future generation.
“The deviation from our original music is becoming very rapid;due to the missing links between the older and younger musicians. So, we the older ones have to put our minds together and salvage the situation”.
Meanwhile, the new ‘Highlife is Alive Fan Club’ is open to all highlife;lovers, artists, industry players, broadcasters, and media professionals; as they work toward the promotion, development, and preservation of the Highlife genre. Bessa Bessa Bessa
The Club seeks to make highlife a national art form, promote it as an international art and work towards its recognition as a national cultural heritage.
Read also: HIGHLIFE MIGHT BECOME AN ALTERNATIVE MUSIC – TRIGMATIC
