Ghana’s Afro-fusion gem Gyakie is back — and this time, she’s reaching into the past to deliver a message for the present.
With the release of her powerful new single “Sankofa,” the singer-songwriter, born Jackline Acheampong, sets the emotional tone for her long-awaited debut album, After Midnight, due later this year. It’s her first offering of the year — and it’s already resonating like a late-night confession whispered to the soul.
Co-written with trusted collaborator Eyram Gbewonyo (Afrolektra), Sankofa draws its name and essence from the revered Ghanaian Adinkra symbol, meaning “to return and fetch what’s been left behind.”
The song is more than a cultural nod — it’s a sonic homecoming wrapped in vulnerability, loss, and quiet strength. Gyakie’s voice — honeyed, aching, resolute — floats over minimalist production, as she reflects on solitude, heartbreak, and the sacred midnight hours that inspired the album’s name.
“It’s about going back, confronting the pain, and finding peace in it,” Gyakie shared. Inspired by personal moments of late-night tears and her mother’s post-midnight prayer rituals, Sankofa unfolds like a diary entry — raw, honest, and healing.
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The track, which arrived after weeks of cryptic social media teases and a buzz-building appearance at the 2025 Forbes Summit, has struck a chord with fans. Many are calling it a nocturnal masterpiece — the kind of song you play when the world sleeps but your heart won’t let you.
As the lead single under RCA Records UK and Sony Music Africa, Sankofa is a bold and graceful step forward for Gyakie, who first captivated listeners with her 2020 breakout Forever and later, her My Diary EP featuring Afrobeats superstar Davido. Now, with After Midnight, she’s crafting a full-length story that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Already climbing streaming charts, Sankofa signals Gyakie’s transition from rising star to full-fledged force — a voice not just for love, but for introspection, identity, and resilience. Let the clock strike twelve — Gyakie is ready to soundtrack your stillest moments.
Listen to Sankofa here.