Ghanaian Concerns have been raised by highlife musician Naa Agyeman on what he sees as discrepancies in the criteria and definition for the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Highlife Song of the Year category.
Because it allows artists from different genres to receive the award, he feels that the current structure is defective and dilutes the actual spirit of Highlife.
Naa Agyeman mentioned 2019 in a sitdown interview with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, March 24, 2025, when Reggae/Dancehall star Shatta Wale caused a stir when he took home the Highlife Song of the Year award for his song “My Level.”
Naa Agyeman contended that the Academy and Board’s requirements for the Highlife Song of the Year category were excessively expansive.
As long as their song satisfies the requirements for popularity and excitement, any artist can currently win the prize, regardless of their primary genre. According to him, this flaw diminishes the importance of Highlife as a unique genre.
He cited discrepancies in the awards system, pointing out that Highlife is not given the same consideration for Best Gospel Song of the Year as Gospel performers.
“Why should Highlife be treated differently if Gospel activities are only taken into account for the Gospel category? Highlife has to be treated with the same respect and distinction as other musical genres since it has distinctive qualities that make it stand out.
“Highlife music, which has a strong cultural foundation in Ghana, deserves to be treated with the same dignity and respect as other genres. Clear standards for what qualify as highlife music must be established, and only musicians who truly capture the essence of the genre’s sound and spirit should be honored.
“This is about maintaining the authenticity and cultural value of Highlife music, not about excluding people. By doing this, we can ensure that this cherished genre’s distinctive contributions to Ghana’s musical legacy are maintained for future generations while simultaneously fostering a greater awareness and knowledge of it,” he said.
In addition, Naa Agyeman encouraged the TGMA Board to conduct a critical analysis of the songs that are eligible for the Highlife Song of the Year award.
Presently, Naa Agyeman is promoting his most recent single, “Pay Your Tax,” which exhorts Ghanaians to fulfill their civic obligation by paying taxes in order to fund the country’s development.
He declared to the press that he was dedicated to using his music as a vehicle for social change as much as entertainment.
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