The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa鈥疓omashie, and her Deputy, Yussif鈥疛ajah, have paid a courtesy visit to veteran highlife maestro Agya鈥疜oo鈥疦imo in Kumasi.
This was announced on Facebook by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who accompanied them to the place.
The visit follows a directive by President John Dramani鈥疢ahama to formally recognise the musician for his outstanding contribution to Ghana鈥檚 cultural heritage .
Agya鈥疜oo鈥疦imo, rose to prominence as a pioneer of palm鈥憌ine and traditional highlife music, forming the renowned Addadam Agofomma ensemble in the late 1950s. Bestowed with national honours including the Order of the Volta in 2007, the Asanteman Award from the Asantehene, and multiple lifetime achievement accolades, he remains a revered figure in Ghana鈥檚 music landscape .
In his social media post? the Ashanti Regional Minister stated: 鈥淭oday, I had the honour of accompanying the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Abla Dzifa鈥疓omashie, and her Deputy, Hon.鈥痀ussif鈥疛ajah, to visit our legendary highlife musician, Agya鈥疜oo鈥疦imo.鈥疶his forms part of the President鈥檚 directive to honour our living legends and heroes who have contributed immensely to Ghana鈥檚 cultural and creative heritage.鈥
The Minister also disclosed that earlier efforts had seen support extended to 25 elderly members of the Kumawood film industry and families of late creatives, reinforcing the administration鈥檚 commitment to celebrating those who laid the foundations of Ghana鈥檚 creative sector.
Celebrated for blending storytelling with guitar rhythms and indigenous instrumentation, Agya鈥疜oo鈥疦imo鈥檚 contributions helped shape Ghana鈥檚 musical identity. Beyond performance, he held leadership roles as President of MUSIGA in 1979 and interim chairman of COSGA in 1985 before receiving further global acclaim through his academic and musical engagements in the United States .
The President鈥檚 directive arrives amid growing calls for timely recognition of cultural icons, echoing his remarks at the Blackstar Experience launch earlier this year when he urged immediate ceremonies to honour Agya鈥疜oo鈥疦imo now, rather than posthumously.