Legendary highlife maestro Kojo Antwi, the man whose melodies have soundtracked Ghanaian romance for decades, has dropped a bombshell revelation about his past that nearly derailed his early music career.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Personality Profile with Lexis Bill on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the ‘Mr. Music Man’ shared a gripping story of a brush with the law triggered by a secret relationship with a police officer's daughter—a story he has kept hidden for nearly half a century.

The incident occurred during Kojo Antwi's early years as a "band boy", long before he became a household name.

While performing at Walako, a popular spot near Kaneshie, his girlfriend—who was supposed to be in school—made a surprise appearance at the venue.

Concerned for her safety and education, the young musician called for a break in the set to personally see her off.

“I decided to send her home. So I took her to try to grab a taxi for her to go home. We were there, and the police patrol team just bumped into us, and they started asking us questions. One question. They wouldn’t even wait for answers,” Kojo Antwi recounted.

The situation escalated when the patrol team took the young couple to the girl's mother, only to discover that her father—a high-ranking officer at the Nima Police Station—was already on the hunt for them.

“I hadn’t had time to talk to her about her dad. She had never mentioned the daddy. I didn't know he was a police officer at Nima Police Station. That’s a part that, I mean, most people didn’t know about,” he told Lexis Bill.

Kojo Antwi reflected on the harsh societal stigma musicians faced in that era, noting that being a "band boy" was far from the prestigious career it is today.

“Back then, it wasn't something that came with prestige, nothing. It’s not something that a policeman would want the daughter to be attached to.”

The 18-year literary journey

This revelation is just one of many unspoken stories captured in his upcoming memoir, a project Kojo Antwi revealed has been in development for 18 years.

The book, which has been ready for some time, was delayed as the singer waited for the right national climate. The book is an autobiographical odyssey that blends his personal history with the evolution of Ghanaian music, titled ‘From Bands to Ballads to Brilliance: Mr Music Man – The Journey’.

The book launch will take place on Wednesday, February 13, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel.

The book is expected to cover:

The Early Days: Growing up in Darkuman and his early exposure to the diverse sounds of Accra.

The Boom Box Era: His time with the band Classique Vibes and his subsequent rise to solo superstardom.

The Philosophy of Love: A deep dive into the lyricism that earned him the title of Ghana's greatest romantic songwriter.

Social Commentary: His perspective on the socio-political shifts in Ghana over the last 40 years.

Kojo Antwi remains one of the few African artistes who has successfully managed to keep his private life shielded while maintaining a massive, cross-generational public profile.

With over 20 albums to his name, he has defined the sound of contemporary Highlife.

From his reggae-infused tracks recorded in Europe to his traditional African rhythms, he has performed on world stages from London to New York.

His annual December 24th concerts have become a national institution, serving as a pilgrimage for lovers of live music for over three decades.