Ten years after the death of Ghanaian highlife musician Daasebre Gyamenah, Otumfou Assinhene Nana Yaw Akuoko has expressed concern over what he describes as the inadequate treatment and recognition accorded to the late music icon by his family and Ghanaians.
According to Nana Yaw Akuoko, Daasebre Gyamenah was a major figure in Ghana’s music industry whose immense contribution deserved greater appreciation, respect and recognition.
He believes the legacy of the late musician should not simply be remembered through his passing but should also prompt serious reflection on how Ghana treats its creative pioneers and preserves their legacies.
“Daasebre was a very big personality in the music industry, so he shouldn’t have been treated this way,” Nana Yaw Akuoko said.
His comments follow the circulation of a video involving members of Daasebre Gyamenah’s family, which has generated conversations about how the late musician has been remembered and honoured a decade after his death.
Nana Yaw Akuoko believes the situation should encourage Ghanaians to reflect on the life, achievements and lasting legacy of Daasebre Gyamenah, whose distinctive highlife style and musical contribution earned him a significant place in Ghana’s music history.
His remarks have also reignited broader concerns about the welfare, recognition and preservation of the legacies of Ghanaian music legends.
For many industry observers, celebrating artistes only after their passing is not enough. There are growing calls for musicians and other creative professionals to receive meaningful recognition, support and sustainable structures that protect their welfare and preserve their contributions while they are still alive.
As Ghana marks ten years since the passing of Daasebre Gyamenah, Nana Yaw Akuoko’s comments present a broader question for the creative industry: Are Ghanaian music legends receiving the honour, dignity and recognition they truly deserve?
The legacy of Daasebre Gyamenah, he suggests, should not only be remembered; it should also serve as a reminder of the need to do better for the pioneers who helped shape Ghana’s creative industry.
