In a heartfelt gesture aimed at acknowledging Ghana’s living legends, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has paid a courtesy visit to highlife music icon Agya Koo Nimo at his residence in Kumasi, reaffirming the Mahama administration’s commitment to preserving the dignity and wellbeing of ageing creatives.
The visit was not only symbolic but also part of a broader initiative under President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership to recognize and support elderly Ghanaian creatives who have laid the foundations of the nation’s arts and culture.
The gesture aligns with the President’s recent appeal at the launch of the Black Star Experience, where he posed a poignant question: “Why wait until our legends are gone before we celebrate them?”
Hon. Gomashie, speaking during the visit, emphasized that this moment was both personal and national. “This is not just a symbolic visit, it is a statement of care, recognition, and responsibility. We are here to say ‘thank you’ while you can hear it, see it, and feel it,” she remarked.
She described Agya Koo Nimo, born Kwabena Boa-Amponsem, as a living cultural institution a “chief in the realm of Ghanaian culture” whose work has shaped the identity of Ghanaian music and inspired generations of artists, both locally and abroad.
As part of the visit, the Minister presented a hamper and a sealed envelope to the veteran musician as tokens of appreciation. The envelope also included a stipend for the musicians who performed in his honour during the brief ceremony.
In response, a visibly moved Agya Koo Nimo expressed his profound gratitude to President Mahama, Hon. Gomashie, and the entire Ministry. “This is not just for me, it is for all musicians who have served this country in silence and sacrifice,” he said.
He took the opportunity to propose two key initiatives: the creation of a national museum dedicated to the creative arts, where the legacies of Ghanaian musicians, filmmakers, authors, and performers can be preserved; and the incorporation of Ghanaian music at tourist sites and national events to ensure that both locals and visitors appreciate the rich artistic tapestry of the country.
“We must preserve our cultural identity in tangible ways,” Agya Koo Nimo urged. “Our stories, our sounds, our symbols, they should live beyond us and teach future generations.”
Hon. Gomashie welcomed the suggestions and acknowledged the long-standing issue of underappreciation faced by Ghanaian creatives.
“When a footballer scores, headlines follow. But creatives, who contribute profoundly to national identity, often give so much with little recognition,” she noted. “That must change and it starts now.”
The Minister emphasized that this visit is only the beginning of a broader effort by her Ministry to honour the contributions of living legends across the country.
“We are committed to identifying, documenting, and celebrating those whose works have defined us as a people. There is a plan in motion, and today is a testament to that journey.”
She was accompanied by her Deputy, Hon. Yussif Issaka Jajah; Mr. Divine Kwame Owusu Ansah, Director for Culture and Creative Arts at the Ministry; and other officials.
The delegation was warmly received by the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and other local authorities who lauded the Ministry’s proactive efforts.
This visit marks a significant step toward a more inclusive and respectful national culture that honours the contributions of its creatives not posthumously, but in their lifetime.
The story of Agya Koo Nimo, his music, wisdom, and enduring spirit is a reminder that Ghana’s future in arts and culture must be built on the celebration of its past.
Story Written By Bernard Quaye | Kobby Kyei News
