Akayaa’s father and mother, Agana and Ayamga Akolbire, were from the village of Gowrie in northern Ghana. Agana was a master drummer, and Ayamga a singer, both having learned from musical traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Akayaa’s cousins have their own music group in her village today. She hopes that her music will influence American culture as well as African culture for many years to come.