Ghanaian musicians who took after their fathers to do music

In the world of football, we often see children of footballers making names for themselves also in the game. That is not even far to point as one of the leading footballing families in the world is in Ghana, the Ayew family led by the legendary Abedi Ayew Pele. Are there Ghanaian musicians who also pass their skills on to their children?

Do we see that trend and how many musicians took after their parents and made it in the entertainment industry?

Today, we bring a list of some Ghanaian musicians who stepped into the big feet of their fathers to do music. Our list includes music producers. So let’s begin…

Akwaboa Snr and Akwaboa Jr

The Akwaboa name is common in the Ghanaian music spaces thanks to the early works of Kwadwo Akwaboa otherwise known as Akwaboa Snr. The songwriter cum producer made a mark in Ghana’s entertainment industry with top songs such as “Awerɛkyekyerɛ” and “Hini Me”. He was a highlife musician, a keyboardist and a guitarist. His work included collaborations with Oheneba Ntim Barima’s band, C. K. Mann and Rex Owusu Marfo among others.

Taking in the footsteps of his father, Gladstorm Kwabena Akwaboah Jnr has also made a big name for himself, showing that he is a true son of his father. Akwaboah Jr who wrote “Daa Ke Daa” for Becca and “Ayeyi Ndwom” for DSP Kofi Sarpong has several hit songs to his name. Some of his popular songs are “Letter to My Spouse” and “My Darling” off his “Lighthouse” album. He also released the Lighthouse EP in addition to an earlier album called “Matters of the Heart.”

Nana Acheampong and Gyakie

If you are wondering where Gyakie got that massive talent from then that should be over now that you know the source. Nana Acheampong, one of Ghana’s topmost highlife musicians Ernest “Owoahene” Nana Acheampong is the father of the Song Bird, Jackline Acheampong, known popularly as Gyakie.

While Nana Acheampong is still seemly active in the music industry having released “Dada Noaa” and “Meko Odo Enkyen” in 2024, his legendary career saw highlights in the decades before now. Starting out in the early 1980s, Nana Acheampong, the acclaimed Champion Loverboy is part of the Lumba Brothers who championed Burger-highlife in Ghana.

32 years after he shot into the scene, his offspring, Gyakie has joined him in continuing the family name and continuing the trend of young Ghanaian musicians taking over from their parents. Gyakie may not be her father but the enterprising singer has not looked back since she released her first single in 2019. From “Love is Pretty” to “Never Like This,” Gyakie has maintained a high standard for herself with songs including “Need Me” “Far Away,” “Something” and “December.”

Pat Thomas and Nana Yaa

Born Nana Kobina Amo Mensah, Pat Thomas cut his teeth in the music industry and is famously noted with the Ebo Taylor band. Starting in the 1960s, Pat Thomas collaborated with the Ebo Taylor band before going on to form his band in 1974. He subsequently released his first album called “False Lover” with the band. Pat Thomas then collaborated with the Marijata band to release his second album “Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata”.

Known as the “Golden Voice of Africa,” Pat Thomas has been in the industry for well over half a century. In 2015, he released a new album in collaboration with the Kwashibu Area Band called “Pat Thomas and Kwashibu Area Band” to mark 50 years in the industry.

Nana Yaa may not have reached the levels of her father yet but she has been doing her best to stand in his big shoes. The Highlife and Afro-Soul singer revealed that she did not get help from her legendary father to start her music career and everything she has achieved is by dint of her hard work.

Fred Kyei Mensah and Kyei Mensah

Fredyma as Fred Kyei Mensah is popularly known, is a veteran sound engineer whose work has seen him produce many great songs and starred in the highlife evolution in the country. His contributions to the music industry included artiste management. Fredyma worked with great Ghanaian musicians such as Dasebre Dwawena, Kofi B, Ofori Amponsah and Kiki Gyan. His studio, Fredyma Studios is the only known one to have live recordings of the works of Kiki Gyan, the celebrated keyboardist of the Osibisa band.

Taking in his footsteps but in a different direction is Kyei Mensah, the youngest son of the famed sound engineer who trained Appietus, Jay Q and other notable sound engineers in Ghana and Liberia. Kyei Mensah who also plays instruments just like his father has released several songs to his name. Notable among his releases are “Nyame Bekyere”, “Nothin’s Too Hard”, “Take It All” and “Ayeyi”.

So the saying like father like son can be translated to reflect the transfer of talent in the Ghanaian music industry. Though these numbers of Ghanaian musicians may not look great if you consider the number of high-profile musicians the country has produced, it is a good sign that people can transfer their creative skills to their children.

NOTICE: Do you know any parent-child music transfer that we should add to this list? Email us at info@afkmediaonline.com or contact us via our various social media handles.