Lumba might have the edge, but Nana Acheampong stands tall — Gabs on Highlife rivalry

Ghanaian journalist and blogger Stephen Adjetey Abban, popularly known as Gabs, has clarified his stance on the longstanding debate between highlife legends Daddy Lumba and Nana Acheampong, calling for fair appreciation of both icons.

In a post on Facebook, Gabs revealed that he came across a post by a fellow blogger who attempted to spark engagement by pitting the two musicians against each other.

“The blogger selected five songs from each artist and posed the question: Who remains the true GOAT?” he noted.

According to him, while the post predictably drew more votes for Lumba, Nana Acheampong also earned considerable praise, particularly from younger listeners who admired his songs but were unfamiliar with the extent of his legacy.

“Some neutrals, unwilling to be drawn into the obvious bias the post was trying to create, kept their distance,” he observed.

Gabs compared the friendly rivalry between the two highlife icons to other famous comparisons in global music and sports culture. “Lumba and Nana Acheampong evoke the same kind of debate you find with Ronaldo and Messi, or Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy,” he wrote.

He further emphasized that the story of modern Ghanaian highlife cannot be told without acknowledging Nana Acheampong’s immense contribution.

“The chronicles of contemporary highlife, or any of its subgenres, cannot be written without Nana Acheampong’s name,” Gabs stated, citing his impressive catalogue of hits, including the chart-topping Anka Ebeye Den.

While conceding that “Lumba might have the edge,” Gabs maintained that such preferences are a matter of perspective and not a dismissal of Acheampong’s artistry.

He concluded with a call for balance and broader appreciation: “It’s time people learned to appreciate other artists, even if they’re not their favourites.”