In a historic victory for African arts, Ghanaian Highlife music and dance has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The announcement was made on December 10, 2025, during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi. This designation cements Highlife’s status as a “living heritage,” recognizing its century-old role in shaping West African identity.
Emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Highlife has served as Ghana’s “cultural mirror,” blending indigenous melodies with brass band and guitar influences. Legends like E.T. Mensah, Nana Ampadu, and Amakye Dede were celebrated in the bid for keeping the tradition vibrant through decades of social change.
