The celebration of fifty years of Ghana’s independence is not over yet. Every programme on the street lately has some attachment to the commemorations.

So when the University of Ghana, Legon, the World Bank and other partners put together a night of pure highlife at the forecourt of Legon’s Great Hall, it was still in the spirit of the celebration.

Although the night had a low tempo start, halfway through, the atmosphere was more than charged and all true highlife lovers were not the least bit disappointed.

The night, themed ‘Time for Highlife’ was set up to establish the role of highlife in the development of Ghana.

Many highlife bands supported Nkrumah’s CPP and helped in the independence struggle, as it was a means to get information across. It has traveled through the hands of time and is currently the root of our hiplife music genre.

After a resounding welcome from the Music Department’s brass band, the Pop Band gave another stunning performance, which was purely instrumental. It even featured a lady trumpeter.

Prof. Collins from the Music Department also gave a short speech on the significance of highlife music in the country. In his speech he mentioned that highlife went all the way back to 1880 and he saw this as a time to bring back all the stars and encourage young talent in the university.

Led by Jerry Hanson Jnr., the Ramblers started with ‘Work and Happiness’ and evidently lit up the forecourt of the Great Hall with danceable highlife music as the students slow-marched in formation onto the dance floor.

	Gyedu Blay Ambulley performing @ the Time for Highlife concert

Even the white folks amongst the audience would not be left out as they tried to make sense of the rhythm, at the same time synchronizing their movements to at least three different beats at a go.

In the process, they provided a chance side attraction with their enthusiastic footwork!

At a point it was confusing who the audience clapped for -- the band or the dancers!

Following the trail of musical notes the Ramblers performed, people were cramming for a spot on the dance floor to show their steps. Even between cuts, they waited on the floor for the next music so they could jig on. It was really a time for everyone to truly appreciate highlife music.

Ebo Taylor then strung his way on stage with ‘Yaa Amponsah’, ‘Gyae Su’ (don’t cry) and other popular tracks, aided by Orlando Julius’ working his fingers on the saxophone.

C.K. Mann’s 30 minutes on stage was as energetic as any other. ‘Adwoa Yankey’ was a definite crowd favorite and made the night all the more worthwhile.

The university’s dance department churned out the usual non-creatively renewed wide- grin dance routine, which excited some section of the audience.

Jewel Ackah and Gyedu Blay Ambolley went back-to-back and ended the night of timeless highlife music that broke through barriers of race, culture and social standing.


Check out photos of the concert

Time for Highlife Photos >>