Renowned artiste manager and entertainment critic Nana Poku Ashis has firmly stated that Highlife music is a creation of Ghana, dismissing claims that Nigeria played a role in its origin.
Speaking on Onua FM’s Onua Showbiz with Nana Kwame Gyan, Ashis urged Nigerians to acknowledge Highlife as Ghana’s cultural heritage rather than attempting to claim ownership of the genre.
“Highlife is purely from Ghana,” Ashis asserted. “Nigerians should relax because they had no hand in its creation. It’s never true that they brought Highlife music, and they can never claim it anywhere.”
Ashis backed his argument with historical research by Professor John Collins, a well-respected music historian. He explained that Ghanaian musicians during the colonial era learned guitar techniques from European traders and blended them with traditional African rhythms, creating what later became known as Highlife.
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The genre emerged in the early 20th century, thriving in local bars, clubs, and social gatherings before spreading across West Africa.
“Ghanaians learned how to play the guitar from colonial masters and started performing in places where palm wine was sold, drawing large audiences. That’s how the music evolved, and legends like E.T. Mensah helped refine it,” he elaborated.
The celebrated manager, who works closely with Highlife singer Kwabena Kwabena, further noted the different styles of Highlife, including Onyina, Kwaw, and Sakyi, as well as the Kpanlogo influence from the Ewe community. These variations, he argued, reinforce Highlife’s deep Ghanaian roots.
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“Highlife is not just one sound; it has different styles, all originating from Ghana. Nigerians should step back because this is not their genre,” he emphasized.
Ashis’s bold statement has sparked intense debate on social media, with many Ghanaians rallying behind his claim, while some Nigerians argue that their country has significantly contributed to the genre’s growth. As discussions continue, the controversy over Highlife’s true origins remains a hot topic in African music discourse.
