Renowned Ghanaian musician Michael Adangba has opened up about the personal sacrifices behind the successful maiden edition of the Adangba Legacy Music Festival, held in Paga, describing the event as both emotional and culturally significant.
Speaking in an interview with Phatbone, the 5-Star General, on Sunset Drive on A1 Radio, the artiste revealed that he performed at the festival despite surviving a serious car accident just a week earlier while returning from Accra.
“I had a terrible accident. The car was damaged beyond repair, and I was admitted to the hospital,” he disclosed. “But sometimes, when you cancel a show, people don’t understand. So I decided to sacrifice and come.”
The performance marked his first-ever appearance with a live band in the Upper East Region, making the night even more remarkable. Despite ongoing health challenges — including a past battle with heart failure that required surgery — the musician said his commitment to the people of the region pushed him forward.
A Homecoming After 25 Years
The festival also symbolized a deeply personal homecoming. Born in the Central Region, Adangba explained that although he has roots in the Upper East Region, he had stayed away for nearly 25 years.
Five years ago, he made a conscious decision to reconnect with his heritage, learn the customs and traditions, and give back to the community.
“I felt it was time to plan something for our people here,” he said. “That’s how this whole idea started.”
The maiden edition was hosted in Paga, chosen partly because of language accessibility and strong community acceptance. He revealed plans to rotate the festival across the region, with Bawku, Bolgatanga, and other parts of the Upper East Region being considered for future editions.
Celebrating Indigenous African Music
At the heart of the festival was a strong cultural statement. According to the musician, about 60 percent of the instruments used were African, with only 40 percent being Western.
“Our local drums sound even better than Western drums,” he noted. “We have to display what our forefathers left for us and let people appreciate it.”
He stressed that the initiative goes beyond entertainment, describing it as a mission to reclaim African identity through music and showcase the richness of indigenous instruments to the world.
A Message to Young Creatives
Adangba had a clear message for young creatives in the region: indigenous music has the power to attract massive audiences.
“You don’t need to do dancehall before you can pull a crowd,” he said. “Our indigenous music can do the same or even more.”
He highlighted Kologo music, comparing its potential to Mali’s Kora, which has gained global recognition. Despite having only two strings, he said the Kologo produces extraordinary melodies and deserves international attention.
“When you see how artists around the world stand on the Kora, you’ll understand,” he said. “The same thing can happen with the Kologo. It’s a miracle instrument.”
Looking Ahead
With the success of its first edition, the Adangba Legacy Music Festival is expected to grow into an annual cultural celebration, aimed at promoting authentic African music while inspiring young musicians to embrace their roots.
“We are here to celebrate our indigenous sound and make it bigger than it is now,” the musician concluded.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Seidu Sulemana Akrugu | Paga
