Highlife Music Now Inscribed On UNESCO Heritage List

In a triumphant moment for Ghanaian culture, the vibrant world of Highlife music—complete with its infectious rhythms and accompanying dance traditions—has earned a prestigious spot on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This historic inscription, unveiled on December 10, 2025, stands as one of the boldest international nods to Ghana’s artistic ingenuity in years, spotlighting over 100 years of rhythmic evolution and affirming Highlife’s enduring appeal far beyond Africa’s shores.

Born in the bustling coastal hubs of the former Gold Coast in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Highlife emerged as a masterful fusion of indigenous African beats, Western brass bands, jazz harmonies, and homegrown melodies. What started as lively street sounds soon blossomed into guitar-driven ensembles and grand big-band spectacles, propelled by trailblazing legends like E.T. Mensah, Koo Nimo, Ebo Taylor, and C.K. Mann.

These pioneers not only defined the genre’s soulful horns, storytelling lyrics, and foot-tapping grooves but also wove it into the fabric of modern African sounds, paving the way for everything from Afrobeat to Hiplife.
UNESCO’s endorsement goes far deeper than melody and movement.

It celebrates Highlife’s profound social heartbeat—its power to unite communities, mirror societal joys and struggles, and foster intergenerational bonds—while saluting the everyday guardians who’ve kept its flame alive through triumphs and trials.

The successful bid, spearheaded by Ghana’s National Folklore Board in collaboration with the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), hit UNESCO’s desk early in 2025. Backed by meticulous archives, heartfelt stories from cultural custodians, and vivid records of Highlife’s many faces—from intimate acoustic sets to electrifying festival stages—the dossier sailed through rigorous evaluation.

Now enshrined under the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, Highlife joins a elite roster of global gems, ensuring its protection and promotion for future generations.

Why This Milestone Matters: Impacts for Ghana and Beyond

This UNESCO seal isn’t just a badge of honor—it’s a launchpad for transformation. Here’s how it’s set to ripple out:

Global Spotlight and Tourism Boom: Expect a surge in international eyes on Highlife, drawing culture seekers, festival-goers, and collaborators to Ghana’s vibrant scenes. From Accra’s jazz clubs to coastal dance floors, it could supercharge creative tourism and forge cross-border partnerships.

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Preservation in Action: The nod amps up commitments to digitize rare recordings, weave Highlife into school curriculums, and bridge vets with rising stars—safeguarding techniques like those intricate guitar riffs and communal dances against the sands of time.

Echoes in Modern Music: As a bedrock of West African grooves, Highlife’s validation underscores its DNA in today’s hits, inspiring fresh innovations while honoring its role in voicing love, morality, and national dreams across divides.

For Ghanaians at home and in the diaspora, this is pure vindication—a resounding “yes” from the world that Highlife isn’t mere pastime, but a living testament to resilience, joy, and unshakeable identity. As one cultural voice put it, it’s “a monumental expression of Ghana’s musical genius,” ready to soundtrack the nation’s next chapter.