Ghana’s vibrant cultural scene took center stage on May 1, 2025, during the launch of the Black Star Experience at Black Star Square in Accra, where former President John Dramani Mahama called for a national tribute to a living legend of Ghanaian music Agya Koo Nimo.
Inspired by a performance from the Legon Palmwine Band, President Mahama reflected on the rich heritage of palmwine music, a foundational genre in Ghana’s highlife tradition. The performance prompted him to inquire about the well-being of Agya Koo Nimo, widely regarded as the genre’s most influential figure. Upon learning that the iconic musician is still alive, the former president stressed the urgency of recognizing his contributions while he is still with us.
“This is the kind of artist we must celebrate now, not later,” Mahama said. “Palmwine music is more than entertainment it is a reflection of our roots, stories, and communal wisdom. Agya Koo Nimo helped shape that narrative, and we must give him his flowers now.”
He charged the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, with organizing a befitting ceremony to honor the artist. “Dzifa, work with your team to put together a tribute. I know he has received honors in the past, but we must do it again meaningfully and nationally before God calls him home,” he urged.
Agya Koo Nimo, born Kwabena Boa-Amponsem, stands as a guardian of Ghana’s musical folklore. With a gentle guitar style, profound lyrical depth, and a life dedicated to storytelling through sound, he has earned numerous distinctions, including the prestigious Order of the Volta (2007), the Asanteman Award, the Konkoma Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, among many others.
Though he has been honored before, the renewed call for recognition highlights the cultural importance of preserving and publicly appreciating the pillars of Ghanaian heritage. In honoring Agya Koo Nimo, the nation reaffirms its respect for the artists whose work continues to define and enrich its identit
