Amandzeba Nat Brew laments decline of Ghanaian music influence in West Africa

Veteran Ghanaian Highlife musician Amandzeba Nat Brew has expressed concerns about the diminishing influence of Ghanaian music in West Africa.

In an interview with Hitz FM, the legendary musician reflected on how, several decades ago, Ghanaian musicians were celebrated across the region, particularly in eastern Nigeria. He questioned why the current situation has reversed.

"About three or four decades ago, eastern Nigeria was full of Ghanaian musicians. So you ask yourself, how were they able to make inroads across West Africa? And it even goes all the way up to Central Africa. And so I’m asking myself if Joe Mensah was so huge in Nigeria, why is the situation now the reverse? The reason is that we are trying to sing like the Nigerians. The Nigerians accepted us because we came as Ghanaians. Now it’s the opposite," Amandzeba said.

The Highlife icon stressed that part of the problem lies in the attempt by some Ghanaian musicians to adopt Nigerian music styles instead of staying true to their roots, which initially made them popular.

He noted that the essence of music transcending borders is not limited by language but by the simplicity and relatability of the rhythm and lyrics.

Citing the example of Ivorian group Magic System’s hit song Amoulanga, Amandzeba explained that despite most people not understanding the song's meaning, its catchy rhythm made it a global sensation.

"Language is not a barrier. Take for example Magic System's song Amoulanga. What's the meaning of Amoulanga? We don’t know the meaning of Amoulanga and all of us were digging into it. Where is the barrier here? You don’t need to look out for some kind of sophisticated arrangement or something. The simplicity of the rhythm or the lyrics can—if it is catchy, you can’t stop it," he added.

Amandzeba's comments highlight the need for Ghanaian musicians to remain authentic in their artistic expressions, rather than attempting to mimic styles from other regions. According to him, this is key to regaining the strong presence that Ghana once had across Africa's music scene.