Veteran Highlife musician Bessa Simons described 2025 as a year of both sorrow and celebration in an interview on ChannelOne TV.
Speaking as president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Simons reflected on the losses the industry endured last year. “We had so many deaths… a lot of funerals and controversies,” he said, noting the grief felt across the music community.
Despite the somber moments, Simons highlighted several achievements for MUSIGA, particularly in nurturing young talent. The union organised live band rehearsals for emerging musicians, culminating in a successful show at the National Theatre in Accra. “Most of them haven’t experienced that before… you express yourself more when you’re in front of a band,” he said.
MUSIGA also marked Ghana Music Month with a free health screening, a seminar on the digital era, and celebrated its golden jubilee. New initiatives were launched, including the female-focused festival She Rhythms and the Highlife at 100 programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and GTA.
Simons, a 40-year industry veteran and former member of Osibisa, said the union is seeing unprecedented interest from young musicians. “We’re going to make sure everybody who joins us benefits more… and can express their talents,” he added.
For MUSIGA, 2025 ended on a high note, setting the stage for further growth and celebration of Ghanaian music.