Saka Acquaye: A Torchbearer of Highlife Music and Ghanaian Creativity

Saka Acquaye (born 2 November 1923) was one of Ghana’s most gifted and versatile artists—a musician, playwright, sculptor, textile designer, and environmentalist. His life embodied the spirit of creativity, discipline, and cultural pride that shaped Ghana’s artistic identity in the years surrounding independence.

Early Life and Education

Saka Acquaye began his education at the Methodist School, Accra Royal School, and Government Boys School. His talent and dedication earned him a Cadbury Scholarship to Achimota School, one of the most prestigious institutions in the Gold Coast.

At Achimota, he excelled both academically and athletically. Training without shoes and using homemade hurdles crafted from tree branches, he became a champion hurdler. His athletic excellence led him to captain the National Athletic Team that represented the Gold Coast in 1950, where he emerged as the champion hurdler of the nation.

After completing his studies, Saka Acquaye taught at St. Augustine’s College in Cape Coast in the early 1950s. His artistic ambitions, however, were growing stronger. To finance further studies abroad, he began designing textiles, which reflected his emerging creative vision. His big break came in 1953, when he left the shores of the Gold Coast to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in the United States—a decision that would shape the course of his multifaceted career.

Musical Legacy and Highlife Innovation

Saka Acquaye’s love for music was evident from an early age. He played several instruments—the saxophone, flute, and mouth organ—and in 1952, co-founded the Black Beats Band with King Bruce. The Black Beats became one of the pioneering highlife bands of Ghana, blending traditional rhythms with modern instrumentation and dance music forms.

While studying in the United States, Saka Acquaye formed The African Ensemble in 1954, an innovative group composed mostly of American musicians. The ensemble recorded under the renowned ELEKTRA label, marking one of the earliest instances of Ghanaian musicians collaborating with American artists. In 1961, he created another group, The African Tones, continuing his mission of promoting authentic African sounds globally.

His influence extended beyond performance. In 1971, Saka Acquaye was one of the Ghanaian organizers of the historic “Soul to Soul” concert at Black Star Square, which united African and African-American musicians in a celebration of shared heritage and culture.

In 1973, Saka Acquaye played a pivotal role in the creation of Wulomei, one of Ghana’s most iconic traditional music groups. Founded by Nii Tei Ashitey—a former percussionist for E. T. Mensah’s Tempos Band—Wulomei aimed to revive indigenous Ga music and encourage the youth to embrace their cultural roots.

Saka Acquaye managed the group, composed several of their songs, and shaped their creative vision. Under his direction, Wulomei toured Europe and the United States, representing Ghana’s authentic cultural rhythm to the world. The group performed frequently at the Arts Centre in Accra, where two large trees planted by Saka Acquaye still stand today—a living symbol of his environmental commitment and enduring legacy.

Contributions to Theatre, Literature, and Visual Arts

Saka Acquaye’s contributions were not limited to music. Upon returning from his studies in the U.S., he met Mavis Amua-Sekyi, an actress whom he cast in the lead role of his opera Obadzeng. The play’s success caught the attention of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who ordered a command performance and later sponsored the troupe to perform in the Soviet Union.

Saka Acquaye went on to write and direct numerous plays that blended African themes with contemporary social issues. He also authored a thought-provoking book titled The Problem of Creativity in Contemporary Africa, which examined the challenges of modern African expression—a work he was preparing to launch before his passing.

As a sculptor and designer, Saka Acquaye exhibited his works across Ghana, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. His creations grace several important institutions, including:

• The Banking Hall of the Bank of Ghana

• The US Embassy in Accra

• Ghana Commercial Bank, Tema

• Gordon Guggisberg’s Monument at Korle-Bu Hospital

• Busts of Guggisberg, Fraser, and Achimota School

• Dr. J. B. Danquah Circle, Osu

• Ghana Airways offices in Cocoa House (Accra) and Lagos

• Johnson Wax Conference Centre, Wisconsin, USA

• African American Heritage Association Lecture Hall, Wayne University, Detroit

• Cambridge University, United Kingdom

These works reflect Acquaye’s deep understanding of form, texture, and cultural symbolism, combining Ghanaian traditions with modern artistic expressions.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Saka Acquaye received numerous awards both at home and abroad. As a student in Philadelphia, he was recognized with several honors:

• Stivinson Award (1954)

• Portnoff Award – Honorable Mention (1955)

• Lila Agnes Kennedy Hill Award (1955)

• Stewardson Honorable Mention (1955)

• Steward Award (1956)

• Cresson European Traveling Scholarship (1956)

• Eisenhower Leadership Award (1956)

• Ware Leadership Award (1958)

In Ghana, his legacy was further honored through:

• CSIR Gold Award (1979)

• Leisure Award (1988)

• ECRAG Flagstar Award (1993)

A Lasting Legacy

Saka Acquaye’s life was one of purpose, artistry, and cultural awakening. His work with bands like the Black Beats and Wulomei, his influence in theatre and sculpture, and his commitment to cultural identity made him one of Ghana’s most significant creative figures.

Beyond the arts, he was a passionate environmentalist, a belief symbolized by the two great trees he planted in front of the Arts Centre in Accra—still standing today as living monuments to his vision of a sustainable and culturally conscious Ghana.

Saka Acquaye remains a torchbearer of Highlife music, a pioneer of artistic independence, and a reminder that creativity, when rooted in heritage, can transcend generations and disciplines