“An Archival Evolution: From Files to Film as Highlife Goes Digital”

September 20, 2024

“An Archival Evolution: From Files to Film as Highlife Goes Digital”
University of Ghana Scholar Presents Highlife Music Archive 

On September 17, 2024, the Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences in collaboration with AUCA Library hosted a guest speaker from the University of Ghana. George Geysaw, an archivist from the Nketia Archives delivered a presentation titled "An Archival Evolution: From Files to Film as Highlife Goes Digital”  for students of the Digital Archives class.

The presentation explored the evolution of archiving Ghana’s historical photographs and Highlife music records, focusing on transitioning from traditional analog formats, such as negatives and reel tapes, to digital formats. The speaker highlighted the cultural significance of these archival materials in restoring and researching the country’s cultural and historical heritage.

Highlife, a popular genre that blends African rhythms with Western instruments and influences, played a crucial role in shaping the cultural identity of West African nations during the 20th century. The discussion centered on the challenges and opportunities of digitizing archival materials, ensuring broader accessibility, and utilizing modern technology to engage younger generations with this rich cultural legacy. The speaker emphasized the importance of collaboration between academic and private institutions to improve access to archival materials.

LAS Digital Archives course aims to introduce students to archival research. It discusses the preservation, management, and accessibility of digital records and multimedia archives in the evolving landscape of archival studies.

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