By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Dec. 12, GNA – Ghana has achieved a major cultural milestone with the inscription of Highlife Music and Dance onto the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has announced.
A statement issued by the Ministry said the recognition affirmed Highlife as a cherished national treasure and a vibrant cultural legacy that had shaped musical identities across Africa and beyond.
Highlife, which emerged in the early 20th century along the Gold Coast, draws from indigenous rhythms, storytelling traditions and dances such as Adowa, Kpanlogo and Agbadza.
The Ministry said the genre evolved over the decades by blending these African foundations with brass‑band influences, West Indian sailor songs and Western instruments introduced through coastal interactions.
“This rich fusion produced a distinct sound marked by melodic guitars, rhythmic percussion and expressive horns that carried the lived experiences, joys, struggles and aspirations of the Ghanaian people,” the statement said.
It stated that the Highlife dance forms, noted for their graceful footwork, communal expression and celebration of social harmony, had also played a key role in shaping Ghana’s cultural identity.
“Together, Highlife music and dance became enduring symbols of unity, creativity and artistic excellence, inspiring generations of musicians and projecting Ghana’s influence on the global stage.”
The Ministry expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for his “visionary leadership and unwavering support” toward the creative arts sector, which it said contributed to securing the national achievement.
It acknowledged the contributions of its agencies, the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), the Ghana National Commission for UNESCO (GNATCOM) and the UNESCO Country Office in Accra for their research, consultations and advocacy throughout the process.
“As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, the Ministry assures Ghanaians of our continued commitment to deepening cultural preservation and championing Ghana’s creative heritage on every global platform,” it said.
The Ministry said that it would intensify efforts to secure more international recognition for Ghana’s cultural assets and ensure they received the honour they deserved.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey