Explore Ghana’s Rich Heritage: Highlife’s UNESCO Listing and the Growth of Cultural Tourism

Published on December 13, 2025

In a historic move for both Ghana and the global cultural community, highlife music has been added to the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition, granted a year after the listing of Kente, Ghana’s traditional fabric, offers the country a unique opportunity to leverage its rich musical heritage for the growth of cultural tourism. With highlife now celebrated as one of the world’s most significant musical legacies, the listing provides Ghana with a chance to enhance its tourism profile while preserving its creative legacy.

For years, highlife has been more than just a genre of music; it’s an essential part of Ghanaian identity. With roots in both African rhythms and Western influences, highlife has evolved over the decades into a globally recognized genre. Its recent inclusion in the UNESCO list not only celebrates this musical tradition but also signals an exciting new chapter for tourism in Ghana, particularly in areas connected to music, heritage, and the arts.

Highlife: A Cultural Bridge for Tourism in Ghana

Ghana’s UNESCO recognition of highlife music holds tremendous potential for tourism development. As tourists increasingly seek authentic cultural experiences, the music scene in Ghana is poised to become a major driver of tourist arrivals. In cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, visitors can immerse themselves in the sounds of highlife music through live performances, festivals, and music tours. These experiences create an avenue for travelers to connect with the country’s history and contemporary culture in a deeply meaningful way.

Music tourism is gaining traction worldwide, with countries using their musical heritage as a tool to attract visitors. For Ghana, the recognition of highlife presents an opportunity to build on its already growing tourism industry. Through music festivals like the Chale Wote Festival and Ghana Music Awards, highlife can be further promoted as a core aspect of the country’s cultural tourism offerings.

As UNESCO has emphasized, the inclusion of highlife is not just about preserving the past but also about supporting its future growth and sustainability. Tourism professionals in Ghana can now strategically integrate highlife music into tourism itineraries and cultural events. Guided tours of music museums, visits to historical music venues, and interactive experiences with local musicians can create enriching travel experiences for visitors.

Leveraging Highlife for Sustainable National Branding

Ghana’s recent UNESCO listings provide an unparalleled opportunity to market Ghanaian heritage as a dynamic and living culture. The country can strategically position itself as a hub for African music, where visitors can explore both the traditional and contemporary aspects of African musical innovation. Highlife tourism could become one of the cornerstones of Ghana’s national branding, further enhancing its appeal as a destination for music lovers and culture enthusiasts.

Furthermore, highlife music offers the chance to develop creative tourism, where visitors not only listen to music but actively participate in the creation and appreciation of it. Music workshops, dance performances, and artist interactions can offer visitors an immersive experience into Ghana’s creative landscape. These efforts can contribute to the broader goal of making tourism more interactive and impactful for the local communities involved.

In addition to creating new tourism opportunities, highlife’s UNESCO recognition can also be used to promote cultural diplomacy. By highlighting Ghana’s musical achievements on the global stage, the country can strengthen its international profile and attract tourists from around the world who are interested in African culture and musical heritage.

Economic Impact on Ghana’s Tourism Sector

The recognition of highlife music by UNESCO offers not only cultural prestige but also economic benefits. The expansion of cultural tourism can bring increased revenue to local economies, particularly in music-centric destinations like Accra and Kumasi. Live music venues, tourist attractions, and cultural events related to highlife will provide new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for local communities.

The impact of highlife tourism also extends to the hotel and hospitality sectors, as increased tourism will boost demand for accommodation, food services, and local experiences. By focusing on sustainable tourism practices, the Ghanaian government and tourism authorities can ensure that the economic growth resulting from this new wave of highlife tourism benefits both local communities and the broader economy.

Tourism Professionals Seize Opportunities in Ghana’s Cultural Renaissance

For tourism professionals in Ghana and beyond, the UNESCO recognition of highlife offers a wealth of opportunities for innovation and growth. Operators can tailor tour packages that combine highlife music with other cultural experiences, such as exploring the slave trade history at the Cape Coast Castle or visiting Kente weaving villages. Such tours offer travelers the chance to engage with Ghana’s diverse culture, all while enjoying the sounds of highlife music.

Additionally, the global appeal of highlife music opens up new opportunities for international partnerships. Festivals and events that celebrate highlife music can attract international musicians, tourists, and media attention, helping to create a vibrant cultural exchange and promoting Ghana as a key destination for cultural tourism in Africa.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Ghana’s Cultural and Tourism Landscape

The inclusion of highlife music in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage marks a turning point for Ghana’s tourism sector. With its vast cultural offerings, scenic landscapes, and rich musical traditions, Ghana is now positioned to leverage its heritage to attract global tourists. Through strategic tourism development, highlife can become a cornerstone of the country’s tourism appeal, promoting not only its cultural wealth but also its sustainable tourism potential for years to come.