Renowned Ghanaian singer-songwriter, producer and master keyboardist Gladstorm Kwabena Akwaboah Jnr has revealed the struggles he faced in becoming a musician in Ghana.
Speaking on ‘Anopa Bofuo’ show on Angel FM, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, he explained that although he was born into a family of musicians, he worked hard for years before establishing himself in the industry.
He emphasised that making a career in music is difficult and that musicians go through a lot before they succeed.
He said the same applied to him and that he endured tough times in his career before reaching his current position, just as many others do.
Akwaboah recounted that he began his musical journey by joining the choir at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Kumasi, where he learned to play the keyboard.
He later moved to Accra and joined Collins Nyatekyi and Ophelia Nyantekyi’s Joyful Saint band.
From there, he worked with Amandzeba, played for Becca and played for the Ghana Music Awards, primarily as an instrumentalist. He noted that he has played for almost 90% of Ghanaian artists.
“The music job is hard and every musicians go through a lot, so to be a great musicians you have to go through that mill, you will go to places to play music and many things, and that is what has helped to build myself to get to where I am right now before I even got into the song writing, so there is sufferings in it,” he stated.
He added that the only advantage he gained from his family was bearing the surname ‘Akwaboah’.
He indicated that at times people ask if he is the grandfather or the father because those two are already known as musicians, and he replies that he is Akwaboah Junior, which helps attract attention.
He reiterated that, aside from the recognition his surname brings, he suffered just like others before becoming a musician in Ghana.
“Where it helped me was the fact that I bear the name Akwaboah, that my grandfather is Akwaboah and my father is Akwaboah where I have come and also calling myself Akwaboah so when they ask that are you the grandfather or the father then i explain that I am the third Akwaboah.
“Apart from them seeing that yes you are coming from a musical background, if not that I also went through same,” he uttered.
Source: Vanessa Elizabeth Nkum
