Mr. Senanu Amenyo, Executive Director of the Global Arts and Development Centre and a former student of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, paid a courtesy call on Professor Kobby Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), to present a concept titled “Celebrating 100 Years of Ghanaian Highlife.”
The initiative, which aims to commemorate a century of Ghana’s most influential musical genre, is set to be a year-long celebration running from November 2025 to September 2026. It will feature a series of events including performances, exhibitions, academic discussions, and showcases that reflect the evolution and global impact of Highlife music.
Prof Kobby Mensah in a group photo with Mr Amenyo(Far Right) and colleague
During the interaction, Prof. Kobby Mensah commended Mr. Amenyo and his team for their vision and effort in promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage through music. He emphasized that the project aligns with GTDC’s mission to promote cultural tourism and showcase Ghana’s creative identity to the world.
Prof.Kobby Mensah further advised that the event be discussed with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and proposed that it could be considered under the broader “Black Star Experience” initiative. He also suggested that the Creative Arts Agency be engaged to take a lead role in the coordination process.
In his submissions, Prof. Kobby Mensah encouraged that the School of Performing Arts be considered as a key institutional partner, noting that their involvement would lend the project academic and artistic depth. While acknowledging GTDC’s current financial constraints, he assured that the Company would offer strategic support and visibility to the initiative, adding that he would leverage his network to attract interest and partnerships for the celebration.
He also requested that an official letter of invitation and a supporting proposal be submitted, clearly establishing the claim of Highlife as a 100-year-old genre. Mr. Amenyo expressed appreciation for the warm reception and valuable guidance, stating that his team would take steps to follow through with the recommendations provided.
The “Celebrating 100 Years of Ghanaian Highlife” initiative seeks to highlight Ghana’s cultural pride and reaffirm Highlife’s role as one of Africa’s most enduring musical traditions, deeply intertwined with the country’s identity and tourism narrative.
Story By: Lein Tetteh
Mr. Senanu Amenyo, Executive Director of the Global Arts and Development Centre and a former student of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, paid a courtesy call on Professor Kobby Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), to present a concept titled “Celebrating 100 Years of Ghanaian Highlife.”
The initiative, which aims to commemorate a century of Ghana’s most influential musical genre, is set to be a year-long celebration running from November 2025 to September 2026. It will feature a series of events including performances, exhibitions, academic discussions, and showcases that reflect the evolution and global impact of Highlife music.
Prof Kobby Mensah in a group photo with Mr Amenyo(Far Right) and colleague
During the interaction, Prof. Kobby Mensah commended Mr. Amenyo and his team for their vision and effort in promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage through music. He emphasized that the project aligns with GTDC’s mission to promote cultural tourism and showcase Ghana’s creative identity to the world.
Prof.Kobby Mensah further advised that the event be discussed with the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and proposed that it could be considered under the broader “Black Star Experience” initiative. He also suggested that the Creative Arts Agency be engaged to take a lead role in the coordination process.
In his submissions, Prof. Kobby Mensah encouraged that the School of Performing Arts be considered as a key institutional partner, noting that their involvement would lend the project academic and artistic depth. While acknowledging GTDC’s current financial constraints, he assured that the Company would offer strategic support and visibility to the initiative, adding that he would leverage his network to attract interest and partnerships for the celebration.
He also requested that an official letter of invitation and a supporting proposal be submitted, clearly establishing the claim of Highlife as a 100-year-old genre. Mr. Amenyo expressed appreciation for the warm reception and valuable guidance, stating that his team would take steps to follow through with the recommendations provided.
The “Celebrating 100 Years of Ghanaian Highlife” initiative seeks to highlight Ghana’s cultural pride and reaffirm Highlife’s role as one of Africa’s most enduring musical traditions, deeply intertwined with the country’s identity and tourism narrative.
Story By: Lein Tetteh