Joy FM’s Showbiz Roundtable on Preserving Highlife Earns Widespread Acclaim

The eighth edition of Joy FM’s flagship Showbiz Roundtable, held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, has been met with widespread acclaim for its compelling focus on preserving highlife as a vital part of Ghana’s musical legacy. The program, which aired live on Joy 99.7 FM, JoyPrime, and JoyNews, was part of the station’s ongoing Ghana Month celebrations. Hosted by arts and culture journalist Kwame Dadzie and emceed by Noella Karyne Yalley, the event brought together a diverse panel of music experts, industry leaders, and cultural advocates to discuss the past, present, and future of highlife.

The theme, “Preserving Highlife as Ghana’s Music Heritage,” resonated deeply with audiences, many of whom lauded the thoughtful curation of speakers and the program’s educational value. Among the panelists were Professor John Collins, an ethnomusicologist; Amandzeba, a renowned highlife musician; Kofi Boachie-Ansah, better known as Beatmenace, an accomplished audio engineer; Adina, a dynamic highlife artist; and Jonas Bibi Hammond, a veteran music producer. The event also featured a keynote address by Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, who emphasized the need to leverage highlife for both cultural preservation and economic gain.

A significant highlight was the participation of Carl Ampah, UNESCO’s National Professional Officer for Culture, who provided insight into highlife’s recognition as Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage. His presence underscored the global significance of preserving the genre and highlighted the urgency of institutional support.

The live studio audience included prominent figures such as Asah Nkansah of Kwan Pa Band, Dela Botri, Yaw Darling, Seven Xavier, and Tilly Akua Nipaa, among others. Their presence added depth to the conversation, reflecting a cross-section of Ghana’s creative community.

Audience members praised the program for its balance of entertainment and education. One viewer, Kofi Appiah, commented: “Big respect to the team for this conversation. I believe highlife is the root of most of the music we hear today. But why do many young artistes prefer Afrobeats instead of highlife? Also, I think if the government creates a special fund for producing highlife songs or policy to support Highlife musicians, the upcoming artistes will have an interest in it.” Loretta added: “Good job. This is what we call entertainment in an educative way. Highlife is really us, and we need to be proud of it.” Isaac echoed the sentiment: “The problem is not that Highlife is disappearing; the problem is that we have not positioned it well for the modern generation.”

The show was produced by Philip Nai, Anita Teye, Martin Kwasi Asare, and DJ Wobeti, and supported by the 2025 GJA Awards Entertainment Programme of the Year, Showbiz A-Z, powered by Joy Entertainment and Joy Prime. As interest in cultural preservation grows, the success of this roundtable signals a renewed momentum for highlife, positioning it not just as a nostalgic genre, but as a living, evolving art form worthy of national pride and global recognition.