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Els MBN360 News
Ghana’s iconic Highlife music has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a testament to its enduring influence and cultural significance. The announcement was made on November 10, 2025, recognizing Highlife as a “monumental expression of Ghana’s musical genius, culture, and global influence”.
This prestigious recognition honors the culture bearers, musicians, communities, and institutions that have preserved and modernized Highlife across generations. Highlife, which blends traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, brass band sounds, and Western instruments, has shaped the nation’s musical identity for decades.
The genre, which originated in the late 19th century in the then-Gold Coast, has influenced generations and inspired offshoots like hiplife and Afrobeats. Legendary musicians such as E.T. Mensah, Nana Ampadu, Paapa Yankson, and Amakye Dede have championed Highlife, making it a unifying force in Ghanaian culture.
The UNESCO recognition is expected to boost Ghana’s global cultural profile, attract investment in music preservation, tourism, and creative arts development, and ensure the genre’s continued evolution and protection for future generations.
