Phenomenal highlife music icon, Akosua Agyapong, has expressed gratitude to former president Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings for “honouring” her at the Akosua Agyapong @25 celebration, held on May 30th at the Accra International Conference Center.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Starr Entertainment after the well-attended conference, the energetic performer said she was happy at the turnout and the sacrifices the ministers, chiefs and queen mothers made to be present at the event.

She also said she was particularly excited to see the Rawlingses.

“I was happy to see them both there. And all the other dignitaries too. Our precious ministers, chiefs, queen mothers and all of my fans,” she said.

“I was told former President Rawlings never stayed late at a show after 11. His wife, yes. Sometimes. But he himself, no, no, no. But at my concert, he was still seated past 12. And you could tell he was enjoying the show, chair dancing and all that.

“But what surprised me most was when he got up to the stage to talk. We didn’t expect him to give a speech or anything, but he did. It was a plus to the show. I felt honoured. Really, really honoured.”

The senior statesman described the singer as “a gift to the nation”.

He also confessed how much he enjoyed himself sitting in the crowd and watching every artiste put up their best performance.

The evergreen entertainer, however, said everything turned out well, the process of putting the show together in itself was “very tiring”

“I had too many challenges, moving from one end to the other. Support was not very forthcoming as expected. But seeing the crowd that evening and knowing that they came simply because they were Akosua Agyapong fans, and the fact that the place got full to a point we had to add more chairs, I was really amazed. I couldn’t stop thanking God,” she said to Starr Entertainment.

The ‘Frema’ hitmaker did not fail at her quest to bridge the gap between Highlife music and hip life when she brought together older musicians and those of the younger generation.

The high life gurus who were at their best, A.B Crentsil, Papa Yankson, Rex Omar, Ambolley, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Amandzeba and Ekow Micah, kept the audience awestruck and exhilarated when they proved they were still relevant as entertainers.

Sarkodie, Edem, MzVee, Becca, and actress Nana Ama McBrown among others were also able to prove how much of a mentor Agyapong and the older generation of musicians impacted their careers as they performed to the enjoyment of everyone.

Together with her dancers and backed by the Immigration Band, Akosua, entertained the audience with an hour of good music and dance. She performed Frema, Born Again, Kakyere Me, Meye Obaa, Meni Otawo and Asiwa.