President John Dramani Mahama has called upon the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, to arrange a special ceremony to honor highlife music legend Agya Koo Nimo. The President made this request during the launch of the Blackstar Experience at Blackstar Square in Accra on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
While commending the performance of the Legon Palmwine Band at the event, Mahama paid homage to Agya Koo Nimo, who is celebrated as a pioneer of palmwine music in Ghana. Acknowledging Nimo’s significant contributions to the nation’s rich musical heritage, Mahama stressed the importance of celebrating his legacy. The proposed event would serve as a meaningful tribute to the legendary musician’s influence on Ghana’s cultural scene.
“We enjoyed the palmwine music, and I inquired if the King of Palmwine music was still with us, Agya Koo Nimo, and I hear he is alive. This is a man we must honor before he departs from us. This genre of music has become an integral part of our musical archive and our folklore. We should not wait until they pass away and then mourn at their funerals,” he remarked.
“Therefore, wherever Agya Koo Nimo may be, Dzifa, you and your team should organize a ceremony to honor him. I know he has received accolades in the past, but let’s celebrate him again before God calls him home,” he added.
Agya Koo Nimo, a revered figure in highlife music, has received numerous accolades for his contributions to Ghanaian music. His honors include the Order of the Volta Award (2007) from former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the Asanteman Award from the Asantehene, the Konkoma Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and Entertainment Achievement Awards.
The national launch of the Blackstar Experience, which featured President Mahama as the Guest of Honour, attracted key figures from the tourism, arts, and creative sectors.
The Blackstar Experience is designed to be Ghana’s premier initiative in Culture, Arts, Tourism, and Creative engagement, connecting local and international audiences. It encapsulates the essence of renowned Ghanaian hospitality across various dimensions, facilitating opportunities for both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians to explore, engage with, and appreciate the richness of the nation’s cultural assets, attractions, and experiences.
