By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Ghana has secured a major cultural victory with the official listing of Highlife music and dance. UNESCO officially added Highlife music and dance to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This global recognition honors more than a century of musical innovation. It establishes Highlife as a protected cultural treasure with worldwide relevance. The inscription marks one of the most significant cultural milestones in the nation’s recent history.
A Century of Sound Achieves Global Status
Highlife emerged along the West African coast. Its roots trace back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The genre skillfully blends indigenous Akan rhythms with traditional palm-wine guitar styles. It absorbed external influences like jazz and brass band elements. Early recordings surfaced in the 1920s.
In previous commentary on the genre’s legacy, Professor John Collins, a veteran music historian and longtime advocate for the genre, noted that Highlife is “West Africa’s oldest form of urban popular music.” Legendary artists like E. T. Mensah, Ebo Taylor, and C. K. Mann helped define the enduring sound. The genre’s influence traveled widely, notably inspiring Nigeria’s Fela Kuti, who famously credited Highlife as foundational to the development of his revolutionary Afrobeat sound.
Today, UNESCO acknowledges the genre’s musical structures, performance styles, and critical social roles as practiced in Ghana. The music is characterized by lively rhythms and call-and-response singing. It incorporates guitars, horns, drums, xylophones, and percussion. Highlife remains the foundation for contemporary African genres, including Afrobeats and hiplife. The official inscription, file No. 02141, was decided by the UNESCO 20.COM session, currently underway in New Delhi, India, and is officially published on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage website.
Rigorous Process Secures Future for Art Form
The National Folklore Board guided the formal nomination process. The push for UNESCO inscription intensified between 2024 and 2025. Ghana’s cultural institutions collaborated on a detailed dossier. A partial submission was officially filed in April 2025. The application relied heavily on archival material, academic research, and community testimonials.
Speaking ahead of the final decision last year, Ama Serwah Nerquaye-Tetteh, the Secretary General of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, confirmed the genre’s unique claim, stating, “We have put in the application and we haven’t heard anyone claiming it originated from their country. We know the history and so we are finalizing that.” The successful inscription places Highlife among other important global traditions already safeguarded under the UNESCO convention. This process involved contributions from veteran musicians and cultural custodians. It ensures that the recognition is rooted in community practice. Highlife is transmitted through initiation, apprenticeship in bands, and formally in universities.
Protection Drives Active Preservation
The UNESCO listing brings tangible benefits beyond symbolism. It grants Ghana eligibility for international support. This funding aids training, documentation, and cultural development projects. The recognition raises the genre’s global visibility.
In anticipation of the victory, Edmond Moukala, UNESCO’s Country Representative for Ghana, stressed the economic potential, saying, “The enlistment of Highlife is a powerful opportunity not just for cultural preservation but for economic empowerment. When Highlife is mentioned anywhere in the world, it will be synonymous with Ghana.” Experts clarify that the goal is active preservation.
The aim is not to treat Highlife as a museum relic. This active approach involves strengthening music education. It also promotes live performances and supports mentorship between generations. Contemporary artists, such as Ghanaian singer and guitarist Pat Thomas, continue to tour globally and record new material, demonstrating the genre’s living relevance. Ghana’s cultural agencies have already indicated plans to expand festivals and documentation initiatives. The listing may also attract cultural tourism. It helps communities benefit when Highlife is used in commercial spaces.
National Pride and International Endorsement
The inscription affirms a powerful cultural legacy. For many Ghanaians and Africans, it signals national pride. It reinforces the global significance of the nation’s creative traditions. To the wider music community, it highlights Highlife’s enduring impact on modern West African sounds.
Reacting to the official announcement today, Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), hailed the decision. “This is a powerful moment of national pride, recognizing a cultural legacy that has shaped Africa’s modern sound,” he stated. A Highlife music fan in Accra, Janet Osei, told reporters, “I feel so proud that the music we grew up loving is now recognized by the whole world. It belongs to us.” The recognition serves as an essential international endorsement. It is a vital tool for
preserving and advancing one of Ghana’s most treasured traditions. The listing invites music lovers worldwide to experience the genre anew. It celebrates its distinctive horn lines, rhythmic guitar work, and rich storytelling.
