Jewel Ackah Laid to Rest

The remains of legendary highlife musician, Jewel Ackah has finally been laid to rest.

The final funeral rites was held on Saturday August 4, at the Community 11 school park in Tema.

It was largely attended by members of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO), and also graced by former President Jerry John Rawlings and some members of the National Democratic Congress.

Cladded in their traditional attire of red and black, mourners filed pass the body which had been laid in state to pay their last respect.

The late footballer and musician would be remembered for his popular highlife lyrics and as an active member of the National Democratic Congress.

He composed the party’s anthem and a host of others that featured on their campaigns.

Jewel Ackah left behind five children.

Biography

The late Jewel Ackah was born in 1950 at Axim in the Western Region of Ghana to Emmanuel Ackah and Cecilia Dye.

He started his education at the Axim Roman Catholic primary and completed in Takoradi in 1963, and had a career as a footballer and later joined a shipping company called Palm Line.

He realized shipping was not his field so he was introduced to a traditional drumming group and within a short time he became the best in the group.

Jewel was picked up by a renowned musician named Ebo Tailor before going solo.

He is one of the few musicians who made popularized the gospel music genre in Ghana after he had drifted from secular music.

The highlife legend started battling stroke and other sicknesses some 10 years ago and was reported to have passed away at his home in the late hours of Friday April 27, 2018.

He has over 27 albums to his credit. Some of his songs are ‘Asomdowoe Hene,’ ‘Abena,’ ‘I’m in the Mood,’ ‘Joyce Sane Bra,’ and ‘Me Wo Bi.

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum