Celebrated Ghanaian Highlife musician Ofori Amponsah has opened up about the growing challenges of mentoring the new generation of artistes, describing the experience as increasingly frustrating.
Speaking in an interview, the “Otoolege” hitmaker revealed that, just as Daddy Lumba guided him early in his career, he had also mentored several musicians, including Kofi Nti and the late Kofi B.
However, Ofori Amponsah said his recent attempts at mentoring young artistes have been disappointing, as many of them prefer to compete with their mentors rather than learn from them. “It’s a difficult thing; sometimes you lift someone to your level, and they want everything you have,” he lamented.
He further explained that most upcoming musicians are unwilling to go through the learning process or put in the years of hard work required to succeed. “If I have a car, they want the same. If I have women, they want some, so it’s difficult for me now,” he added.
According to him, this attitude has discouraged him from taking on more mentees, as many lack the humility and patience needed to grow under experienced guidance.
Ofori Amponsah emphasized that true mentorship requires respect, patience, and a willingness to learn qualities he believes are fading among today’s emerging artistes.
Ofori Amponsah Reveals Inspiration Behind ‘Otoolege’ Song
Behind every great song is often a story, and for Ghanaian highlife musician, Ofori Amponsah, many of his hits are born out of personal experiences that reflect real emotions and life lessons.
The multiple award-winning singer and songwriter revealed that his hit track ‘Otoolege’ was inspired by a painful heartbreak he suffered years ago.
Ofori Amponsah opened up about the inspiration behind some of his songs, sharing that each carries a story close to his heart.
“There are some songs that have stories behind them, and one of them is ‘Otoolege.’ That song came from a heartbreak I was going through at the time. I had lost my girlfriend, let me be honest. Following the heartbreak, my friends were pushing me to get another girlfriend, and I came up with the idea , which became the song ‘Otoolege’.”
Ofori Amponsah
The highlife legend added that when he first shared the idea and title of the song with his friends, they laughed and teased him, saying the song clearly came from his heartbreak. “When I told them about the song and its title, they laughed and said, ‘This song is definitely because of your heartbreak.’ And indeed, it really came from that experience,” he admitted with a smile.
Ofori Amponsah also spoke about another of his popular songs, ‘Dua Koro,’ revealing that it was inspired by loneliness during a tough period in his career.
“‘Dua Koro’ came at a time when I had released an album that didn’t do well. Most of the friends I relied on left me, and I had to face the disappointment of listening to the rhythms alone. That loneliness led me to write the song. and you can feel that sort of lonely energy when listening to the song. so yeah, sometimes situations bring the songs.”
Ofori Amponsah
Ofori Amponsah further reflected on how pain and rejection have often fueled his creativity and success. According to him, some of his biggest hits were born out of difficult moments, including betrayals and disappointments from friends and people he once trusted early in his career.
He humorously noted that “broken hearts come with a lot of money,” explaining that emotional pain sometimes pushes artists to produce their best work. He added that many of his songs were inspired by rejections from people he believed could help him, but who instead turned him down.
The highlife singer emphasized that rejection and heartbreak, though painful, can sometimes be blessings in disguise. “Sometimes you have to thank God when rejection or heartbreak comes because it can open doors you never imagined,” he shared.
The crooner also noted that his songs often speak to people and encourage them, which makes him confident that his music has an impact on listeners.
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