Adina Credits Church Roots for Her Love of Highlife

Ghanaian singer Adina Thembi has revealed that her passion for highlife music was shaped by early exposure to ebibinwom, a traditional form of church music.

Speaking at Joy FM’s eighth Showbiz Roundtable, Adina said her musical journey began within her family environment. She explained that her grandmother regularly performed ebibinwom in the Methodist Church, a sound that was later embraced by her mother and became a strong influence in her upbringing.

According to the singer, this early connection to traditional sounds naturally drew her toward highlife, a genre deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture.

Adina also highlighted the impact of several established musicians on her artistic direction. She identified highlife icon Amandzeba as a key influence, noting that his music inspired her to blend traditional highlife elements with modern sounds to create a distinct style.

In addition, she cited Akosua Agyepong, Princess Cynthia and A.B. Crentsil among the artistes who contributed to shaping her musical identity.

The remarks were made during a panel discussion focused on the theme “Preserving highlife as Ghana’s music heritage,” part of activities marking Ghana Month. The programme was broadcast on Joy 99.7 FM, JoyPrime and JoyNews.

The event featured a range of industry stakeholders, including ethnomusicologist Professor John Collins, veteran producer Jonas Bibi Hammond and audio engineer Kofi Boachie-Ansah.

Delivering the keynote address, Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto emphasized the importance of strengthening the cultural and economic value of highlife while ensuring its continuity across generations.

UNESCO’s National Professional Officer for Culture, Carl Ampah, also underscored the significance of highlife’s recognition as part of Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage.

The roundtable attracted a live studio audience of musicians, producers and creatives, reflecting growing efforts to sustain and promote Ghana’s highlife tradition.