The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) recently held a lively fundraising concert at the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill. The goal was to support ageing musicians, honour highlife artist Fameye, and celebrate Ghana’s musical heritage.
The event, called Authentic Highlife Nite, aimed to raise funds for the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund (AMWeF). It also recognised Fameye, who won Highlife Artiste of the Year at the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
Several dignitaries attended. They included French Ambassador to Ghana Jules-Armand Aniambossou, UNESCO Country Representative Edmond Moukaila, Director of Culture Divine Owusu-Ansah, and Ghana Tourism Authority Deputy CEO Abeiku Santana Aggrey. Officials from various diplomatic missions and government agencies also showed up, highlighting the event’s cultural and diplomatic value.
The night featured both legendary and emerging musicians. Performers included Pat Thomas, Samuel Owusu, Aklerh, Old Soldier, Mr Brown, and Kaakyire Kwame Appiah. Bessa Simons, Paulina Oduro, Adane Best, and Grammy nominee Rocky Dawuni also performed. Dawuni made a brief but impactful appearance.
Fameye received a citation celebrating his dedication to highlife music. It praised his blend of traditional rhythms and modern storytelling. The citation noted that his award came in the same year UNESCO recognised highlife as part of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
MUSIGA President Bessa Simons highlighted the concert’s dual purpose. “Tonight, we celebrate the beauty of highlife and support the musicians who paved the way,” he said. “Your donations will directly support AMWeF and honour our music legends.”
UNESCO’s Edmond Moukaila called the event a fitting prelude to UNESCO’s upcoming recognition of highlife music in December. He also reaffirmed Ghana’s status as the birthplace of the genre.
The concert celebrated highlife while raising awareness about the welfare of ageing musicians. MUSIGA remains committed to preserving Ghana’s musical heritage and supporting those who shaped its legacy.