Ghanaian Highlife musician Bisa Kdei has bemoaned the lack of promotion for Highlife music in Ghana.
In an interview on Onua TV, he claimed that Ghanaians are not making the most of the Year of Return initiative because they are still promoting foreign sounds like Amapiano and Afrobeats.
“If people come to Ghana, what are we selling? Are we selling Highlife or Afrobeats?
“The Year of Return, to me, we aren’t using it properly. I have been to clubs, and all I hear is Amapiano and Afrobeats, while the amount of Highlife and Ghanaian music being played is very little.”
This lack of promotion, according to him, affects Ghanaian artistes’ ability to sell shows internationally.
“When the diasporans and tourists come and all they hear are Afrobeats, that is what they will take back.
“So when people say Ghanaians can’t sell shows outside, whose fault is that? We are not promoting the Ghanaian culture enough. This is me talking from my experience,” he said.
Recounting an incident where he confronted a DJ for playing only Nigerian songs at a club, Bisa Kdei said he remains committed to fighting for Highlife.
“This is our song, we have to promote it. I have chosen Highlife as my career, so I have to fight for it. That is why I’ve been very outspoken,” he said.
