Ameyaw Debrah, AfricaNews reporter in Accra, Ghana. Photo: Bertil van Vugt
Ghana lost ace music producer Faisal Helwani in the early hours of Monday July 28 after a short illness. Mr. Helwani was a huge exponent of contemporary highlife and Ghanaian traditional music and he played a vital role in the growth of Ghanaian music in post-independent Ghana.
He was the founder of the Musician’s Union of Ghana, CEO of Bibini Music, the first president of the Phonogram Producer’s Society of Ghana and the first president of the International Federation of Phonogram Industries, Ghana Branch.
Faisal Helwani was the manager of Fela Kuti and is already a legend for his engagements in music in West Africa. He was also the owner of the legendary Napoleon Club which hosted stars like Stevie Wonder in the 60’s, before it was closed due to the curfews. He was also a very active participant and observer of the Ghanaian music scene and he constantly fought for the rights of musicians in Ghana.
Among some of the numerous artistes that the late Helwani discovered or worked with were the legendary E.T. Mensah, Onipa Nua, and Hugh Masekela. He also produced the recent highlife-revival compilation Uhuru. Ghana and indeed Africa can lost a great individual in the music industry.
