about me
Few guitarists in Africa embody the spirit of Highlife quite like Akablay. Renowned for his electrifying performances and soulful compositions, Akablay wo began his career as a diamond has dedicated his life to preserving and reinventing Ghana’s iconic Highlife sound for modern audiences. Through his groundbreaking Kundum Highlife Rhythm, he bridges generations, celebrates heritage, and shares Africa's musical heartbeat with the world.
Anthony Akablay, popularly known as Akablay, is an award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and musician. He is the founder of the Abiza Band and Kundum Trio, creator of World Highlife Day, and the originatorof the Kundum Highlife Rhythm.His passion for music goes beyond entertainment — Akablay usesrhythm as a tool to educate, inspire, and unite people across cultures.
Akablay’s musical journey has taken him from local stages to some of the world’s most celebrated festivals and events. He has shared the stage with renowned musicians including: Peter White (USA) and Earl Klugh (USA) at the Stanbic Jazz Festival (Ghana), Orlando Julius (Nigeria), Hugh Masekela (South Africa), and Miatta Fambuley (Sierra Leone) – Nobel Peace Prize celebrations, Oslo, Norway Freddie Miewe (Netherlands), Gert Vincent (Denmark), and Agya Koo Nimo (Ghana)
Some notable performances with Abiza Band are Copenhagen Jazz Festival (2024, 2025) – Denmark | MIA Festival – Cotonou, Benin | African Food Festival (2025) – Monchengladbach, Germany | Pan African Festival (PANAFEST 2025) – Aarhus, Denmark | Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day Festival (2024) – Nkroful, Ghana | Akwaaba Music Festival (2023) – Accra, Ghana | Chale Wote Arts & Music Festival (2021, 2023) – Accra, Ghana.
In 2020, Akablay partnered with Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere to launch World Highlife Day, an annual celebration honoring authentic rhythmic Highlife music. Over four editions, WHD has featured legendary artists such as Gyedu Blay Ambulley (Ghana), Obrafour (Ghana), Trigmatic (Ghana), Samuel Owusu (Ghana), Abiana (Ghana), Naana Blu (Ghana), and the Santrofi Band (Ghana), cementing its place as a global stage for Highlifemusic.
Akablay’s distinctive guitar work graces the recordings of some of Ghana’s most celebrated icons, including Daddy Lumba, Rex Omar, Nana Acheampong, Jewel Ackah, Paapa Yankson, CK Mann, Ofori Amponsah, Okyeame Kwame, Kwabena Kwabena, Kofi B, Becca, Trigmatic, VIP, Dada KD, BukBak, Ohemaa Mercy, Obaapa Christy, Philipa Baafi, Joyce Blessing, DSP Kofi Sarpong, Ceccy Twum, and Celestine Donkor.
He has also released five albums and seven singles, with hit collaborations including Take Away featuring Cabum and Gunpowder featuring Kofi Kinaata.
Best Instrumentalist – Ghana Music Awards (2009)
Best Guitarist – Sunshine Music Awards (2010)
Best Instrumentalist – Ghana Music Awards (2011)
Best African Guitarist – MIA Festival, Benin (2014)
Highlife Song of the year Nominee (TAKE AWAY FT CABUM) – VGMA (2016)