The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and her Deputy, Yussif Jajah, have paid a courtesy visit to veteran highlife maestro Agya Koo Nimo in Kumasi.
This was announced on Facebook by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who accompanied them on the visit.
The gesture follows a directive by President John Dramani Mahama to formally recognise the musician for his outstanding contribution to Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Agya Koo Nimo rose to prominence as a pioneer of palm-wine 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’s music landscape.
In his social media post, the Ashanti Regional Minister stated:
“Today, I had the honour of accompanying the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and her Deputy, Hon. Yussif Jajah, to visit our legendary highlife musician, Agya Koo Nimo. This forms part of the President’s directive to honour our living legends and heroes who have contributed immensely to Ghana’s cultural and creative heritage.”
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’s commitment to celebrating those who laid the foundations of Ghana’s creative sector.
Celebrated for blending storytelling with guitar rhythms and indigenous instrumentation, Agya Koo Nimo’s contributions helped shape Ghana’s 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’s directive arrives amid growing calls for timely recognition of cultural icons, echoing his remarks at the Black Star Experience launch earlier this year, when he urged immediate ceremonies to honour Agya Koo Nimo now, rather than posthumously.