Members of Parliament have renewed calls for deliberate national action to preserve and promote Ghana’s Highlife music following its recognition by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The calls come after the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, announced on the floor of Parliament on Friday, December 12, that Highlife music has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2025.
The Minister said the global recognition strengthens the government’s resolve to safeguard Ghana’s cultural heritage through targeted policies and programmes.
“Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its implementing agencies remain steadfast in their commitment to promoting, preserving and advancing our cultural heritage.
“The recognition of Highlife by UNESCO strengthens our resolve to do even more,” she said.
She noted that the Ministry, working with sister agencies, will intensify efforts in documentation, research, and archiving of traditional knowledge to ensure Highlife music remains relevant for future generations.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in collaboration with sister ministries, will continue to develop policies and programmes aimed at strengthening documentation, research and archiving traditional knowledge,” Madam Gomashie added.
Reacting to the announcement, the Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, underscored the need for a strategic national approach to revive and sustain the Highlife genre, warning that it risks fading if deliberate action is not taken.
He pointed to the strong link between Highlife and contemporary Ghanaian music styles, particularly Hiplife, arguing that strengthening the foundation of Highlife would benefit the entire creative industry.
“We know that Hiplife is also a modification of the Highlife genre. There is that connection that shows that if you get Highlife solid, the other genres can also develop and be monetised for the good of society,” he said.
Mr Darko-Mensah expressed concern that only a few artistes are currently actively engaged in Highlife music, stressing the need for state-backed support to identify and nurture emerging talents.
“Currently, as you see it, only a few artistes are actually engaged in Highlife, and if you are not careful, it might die off.
“We need a strategic arrangement to quickly identify those showing promise, support them to grow, and ensure they can deliver more for this country,” he stated.
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