By
Alexander Nyarko Yeboah, GNA
Tema Aug 7, GNA — Ghanaians said their final
farewell to Jewel Ackah, one of the nation’s most celebrated highlife artists,
in a well attendant funeral celebrations at the heart of Tema.
Jewel Ackah, seen as someone who has
contributed immensely to the development of the Ghanaian highlife brand,
received a hilarious out pouring of well wishes, tears.murmurs and nostalgia on
a day he was interred.
The funeral celebrations, which took place at
the Complex School Park, Community 11, on Saturday, saw thousands of people
from all walks of life including; politicians, musicians, clergy, the young and
old attending.
The Musician Association of Ghana (MUSIGA), in
their tribute, said Mr. Ackah made impact “beyond the pale of musicians and
their fans. Indeed there is no gain saying that you will be remembered for your
fearless commitment to your ideals.”
His family told of how he helped to popularize
highlife music in the late 1980s and 1990s, and how he became a role model to
many young men and women who had the passion to sing.
“His sweet voice and exciting Fante lyrics
made him an exceptional and well sought-after artist,” they said.
In a tribute, the National Democratic Congress
(NDC), which had their anthem composed by the musician, eulogized Mr. Ackah
“for the melodious music he produced for the enjoyment of all Ghanaians over the
years, and for the selfless manner he put his talent and resources at the
disposal of NDC from its early beginnings.”
The tribute observed that beyond the qualities
of love, truth, kindness and fellow-feeling that characterized the lyrics of
his songs, Mr. Ackah associated himself with the values of truth, integrity and
fairness as espoused by the PNDC government during the revolutionary days.
Born in 1945, Mr. Ackah identified his gift
for singing at an early age, and therefore quit his job with the shipping
company, Palm Line, and joined a traditional drumming group to begin his music
career.
During his long music career, he worked with
Ebo Taylor, Elgrand Kwofie, Jos Akins, C.K Mann’s Carousel Seven, the
ELdoradoes, the Medican Lantics, among others, before starting the ‘Butterfly
Six’ band that joined other bands which shook Tema’s and Ghana’s musical arena.
“By virtue of his outstanding high life music,
unique voice, band leadership, stage performance and costume, professionalism and
affable nature, Mr. Ackah earned his place amongst the highlife legends in
Ghana,” his biography indicated.
Some of his songs included: Asomdwee Hene,
Sokoo Na Maa Wope, Me Dear, Mesan Mako Menkyi. He is credited with 27 record
albums which included solo releases, collaborations and new versions.
Jewel Ackah was admitted at the 37 Military
Hospital early this year, and passed away on the 27th of April, few weeks after
his discharge. He was survived by seven children.
GNA