Renowned ethnomusicologist Professor John Collins has joined Dikan Center to lead efforts in preserving Africa’s diverse musical traditions through a newly created unit, the Bokoor Department.
Prof. Collins, a globally respected authority on African music with over four decades of research, has entrusted Dikan with his vast personal archive, one of the continent’s most valuable collections of musical history.
The archive spans approximately six million items, including rare recordings, academic writings, musical instruments, historical photographs, posters, and manuscripts. Many of these materials had previously been at risk of damage due to age and environmental conditions.
Now under the stewardship of Dikan Center, the collection is being digitized and catalogued. Upon completion, it will be publicly accessible in the Bokoor Room at Dikan’s library, with selected materials to feature in upcoming exhibitions.
“Joining Dikan provides a tremendous opportunity to ensure these cultural treasures are preserved and made widely available,” Prof. Collins said. “We hope to inspire greater appreciation and understanding of Africa’s rich musical heritage.”
Collins is best known for his work on Ghana’s highlife music and for founding Bokoor Studio, where he helped document the works of iconic musicians such as Fela Kuti, E.T. Mensah, and King Bruce. His publications, including Highlife Time, West African Pop Roots, and African Musical Symbolism, have been instrumental in shaping global understanding of African music.
As head of the Bokoor Department, Prof. Collins will guide research and education in African music, theatre, popular culture, and oral history. Dikan has also launched the Bokoor Fellowship to support researchers and cultural workers exploring African music and traditions.
One of the department’s first major projects is the upcoming “100 Years of Highlife” exhibition in 2025, marking a century of the influential genre. Collins will also lead Dikan’s engagement with UNESCO to advocate for highlife music to be recognized as a global cultural heritage.
Mr. Paul Ninson, founder and director of Dikan Center, said Collins’s arrival marks a significant step in the organization’s mission to preserve African cultural history.
“Having Professor Collins with us positions Dikan as a global hub for African music heritage,” Ninson said. “His archive and expertise will be a resource not just for Ghana, but for the entire world.”
