Legendary Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat musician Ebo Taylor will be laid to rest on Saturday, August 1, 2026, as family, friends, fellow musicians and admirers gather in Saltpond to bid farewell to one of Africa’s most celebrated musical icons.

According to funeral arrangements announced by the Taylor family and the Nsɔna Ebusua, the burial service will take place at the Wesley Methodist Church in Saltpond.

The ceremony is expected to attract dignitaries, members of the creative arts industry and music lovers from across Ghana and beyond, all coming together to honour the remarkable life and legacy of a man whose influence transformed African music.

The funeral programme will begin on Friday, July 31, with a private laying-in-state ceremony, allowing close family members and invited guests to pay their final respects. The following day, Saturday, August 1, the late musician will be buried after the church service at Wesley Methodist Church.

Activities will continue on Sunday, August 2, with a thanksgiving service at the same church before the final funeral rites are held later in the day at Victoria Park in Saltpond. The event is expected to celebrate not only Ebo Taylor’s life but also his immense contributions to Ghanaian music and the global Afrobeat movement.

The funeral arrangements were jointly announced by Nsɔna Ebusuapanyin Nana Asobo II, Obaahemaa Nana Saakoa, Obaapanyin Baaba Koufie, the Nsɔna Ebusua of McCarthy Hill, Cape Coast and Saltpond, together with the Ebo Taylor family.

Ebo Taylor passed away on February 7, 2026, at the Saltpond Hospital at the age of 90. His death came just one day after the launch of the maiden Ebo Taylor Festival, an event created to celebrate his extraordinary achievements and lifelong dedication to music. He had also marked his 90th birthday only a month earlier.

News of his passing was officially confirmed by the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), prompting an outpouring of tributes from musicians, political leaders, cultural institutions and fans across the world. Many described him as one of Ghana’s greatest musical exports and a pioneer whose work shaped generations of African artists.

Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast on January 6, 1936, Ebo Taylor developed a passion for music from an early age. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he established himself as one of Africa’s finest guitarists, composers, arrangers, producers and bandleaders.

His musical journey began with local bands such as the Stargazers before he joined the renowned Broadway Dance Band, where he refined his skills and gained recognition for his exceptional talent. These early experiences laid the foundation for a career that would later influence the evolution of highlife and Afrobeat.

In the 1960s, Taylor travelled to London to study music. During his time there, he met and collaborated with Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, a relationship that played an important role in shaping both musicians’ artistic journeys. Their exchange of ideas contributed to the development of a unique sound that blended African rhythms with jazz, funk and soul.

Upon returning to Ghana, Taylor became one of the country’s most respected music producers and arrangers. He worked behind the scenes with several celebrated Ghanaian musicians, including Pat Thomas and C.K. Mann, helping craft songs and albums that have become timeless classics in the nation’s musical history.

Although his influence in Ghana had long been established, Ebo Taylor enjoyed a remarkable international resurgence in the 21st century. Reissues of his classic recordings introduced his music to younger audiences worldwide, while producers and artists sampled his compositions, further cementing his reputation as a global music icon. His albums received critical acclaim, and he performed at major festivals across Europe, North America and Africa.

Among his most celebrated works are Love and Death, Appia Kwa Bridge and Yen Ara, albums that showcased his masterful blend of traditional Ghanaian highlife with Afrobeat, jazz, funk and soul. Even in his late 80s, Taylor remained active in the studio and on stage, demonstrating an enduring passion for music. In 2025, he released Ebo Taylor JID022, adding another chapter to an already distinguished career.

Beyond his recordings, Ebo Taylor’s greatest legacy lies in the generations of musicians he inspired.

His innovative approach to composition, guitar playing and production helped redefine African popular music and ensured that Ghanaian highlife gained recognition on the international stage.

As his family prepares to lay him to rest, Ghanaians and music lovers around the world will remember Ebo Taylor not only as an extraordinary performer but also as a cultural ambassador whose timeless music continues to influence artists across continents. Though he is gone, his songs and his impact on African music will live on for generations to come.