Highlife veteran and TGMA Board Chairman Amandzeba has strongly rejected calls to incentivise artists to perform Highlife, insisting that music should be driven by passion, not rewards.

Speaking at Joy FM’s 8th Showbiz Roundtable on March 14, 2026, he said, “I totally disagree. Why should you incentivise people to do what they have to do? Highlife is ours and has been with us. The problem we are facing currently is, there are not too many of us who do Highlife. So, if we are in the minority, does it mean we should go and whip people to come and do Highlife? No.”

Amandzeba added that a music career is a calling and should be pursued out of dedication rather than obligation. “Why would I be so stubbornly entrenched in what I do? Because where I come from, I know that the Ghanaian must be the proudest person in the whole world,” he noted.

His remarks come in response to industry voices, including Highlife singer Dada Hafco and legendary producer Appietus, who have argued that incentives are necessary to encourage more musicians to perform Highlife and safeguard the legacy genre.

Meanwhile, nominees for this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) were unveiled on Saturday, showcasing the country’s diverse musical talent.See the songs and artists vying for Highlife honours below:

- Best Highlife Song:

* It Is Finished - Kofi Kinaata

* Foko - King Paluta

* Aso II - Kwabena Kwabena ft Stonebwoy & Kofi Kinaata 

* Obi Adi - Amerado Burner

* Do Better - Kuami Eugene

- Best Highlife Artiste:

* Fameye

* King Paluta

* Kwabena Kwabena

* Kofi Kinaata

* Kuami Eugene