MUSIGA to immortalize highlife legends with national music museum

By Samuella Antwi

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has unveiled plans to honor the legacy of Ghanaian music legends, including the recently deceased Highlife icon Daddy Lumba, through the establishment of a national Music Museum and Hall of Fame.

This initiative follows growing public concern over the lack of recognition and documentation for Ghana’s music pioneers, especially those who shaped Highlife, a genre deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural heritage.

MUSIGA President Bessa Simons announced that the Union is partnering with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board to create a permanent archive of Ghana’s rich musical history.

The museum will chronicle landmark moments, genres, and personalities that have defined the country’s music scene.

The President of MUSIGA explained that the facility will preserve the legacies of artists such as C.K. Mann and Daddy Lumba as well as other iconic figures.

The Hall of Fame will serve as a central hub for all music genres produced in Ghana, showcasing the full spectrum of the nation’s musical heritage.

In addition to the museum project, MUSIGA plans to roll out nationwide tribute concerts, educational workshops, and a special seminar on Highlife music before the end of the year.

These events, organized in collaboration with key cultural stakeholders, will spotlight Daddy Lumba’s unique contributions to the genre and celebrate its evolution.

The Union is also advocating for Highlife to be recognized by UNESCO as part of Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage, with formal listing expected by November.

MUSIGA believes this recognition will elevate Highlife on the global stage, much like Reggae is associated with Jamaica.

The President of MUSIGA emphasized the need to reconnect younger generations with Highlife, warning that the genre risks being forgotten without national support and compelling storytelling about its value.

He noted that despite modern influences, echoes of Highlife remain at the core of much of Ghana’s contemporary music.