Ghana 70 | Highlife 100 – Celebrating Independence
Mar 6
Africadelic / The Vanguard / Ghanese Grondleggers
On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first country south of the Sahara to gain independence from a European colonial power. Seventy years later, this milestone symbolizes a history of freedom, resilience, and connection. At the same time, Ghana is celebrating another special anniversary: 100 years of Highlife, the musical style that has brought generations and communities together.
70 Years of Independence
- Date
- March 6, 2027
- Duration
- 120 min, no interval
- Genre
- Music
- Language
- Language no problem
- Location
- Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Grote Zaal
Together with Africadelic and Ghanese Grondleggers, ITA presents an evening filled with music, history, connection, and celebration. A program where past and present converge, focusing on the connection between Ghana, the diaspora, and the rest of the world.
In the Main Hall, a Highlife Tribute & Live Jam will be the musical highlight of the evening. Ghanaian musicians from different generations and diverse backgrounds will pay tribute to 100 years of Highlife. Traditional influences meet jazz, Afrobeat, soul, R&B, Hiplife, folk, Afro-roots, and contemporary alternative music.
The voice of a new generation will also be heard: artists and musicians from the diaspora are giving Highlife a contemporary twist and showcasing how the music continues to evolve.
The evening concludes with an afterparty featuring Ghanaian DJs who will fill the Rotonde with music, dance, and socializing.
Visit Wall of Stories in The Bookshop
The pre-event program at The Bookshop brings together history, connection, and conversation. Visit the traveling exhibition Pan-African Timeline, which connects Ghana’s independence to broader narratives of Pan-Africanism and liberation, and then join an interactive conversation with members of the Ghanaian community in the Netherlands. Personal memories and historical perspectives come together to set the stage for an evening centered on music, heritage, and community.
About the creators
Ghanese Grondleggers is a collaboration between various organizations in the Ghanaian community, including Vereniging BAAKO, Sankofa Archives, Backyard, Ghana Culture Club, Museum of Black Futures, and DAKOTA.
Drawing on their collective knowledge, networks, and expertise, they develop programs that help highlight and celebrate Ghanaian history, culture, and heritage. For Ghana 70, Highlife 100, they are joining forces to create a program centered on community, connection, and cultural exchange.
Africadelic is a platform for art, culture, heritage, and knowledge exchange dedicated to strengthening the connection between Africa and the global diaspora.
Based in Amsterdam, Africadelic organizes programs that bring together artists, musicians, researchers, cultural institutions, and the public. By creating space for encounters, exchange, and reflection, Africadelic contributes to new perspectives on history, identity, and cultural connectedness.
