Veteran highlife musician Amandzeba has expressed concerns over Ghanaians’ lack of effort in promoting and preserving the highlife music genre. Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, he highlighted the rich cultural heritage of highlife and its potential to represent Ghana globally.
Amandzeba emphasized that Ghanaians have failed to project this genre, allowing others to capitalize on their heritage.
Discussing UNESCO’s move to list highlife as intangible cultural heritage, Amandzeba noted that while the National Folklore Board’s efforts are commendable, the media must also play a crucial role in ensuring the genre’s longevity.
He recounted the influence of highlife on iconic musicians like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba and stressed the importance of developing and celebrating Ghanaian music locally.
UNESCO’s recognition of highlife as intangible cultural heritage would place it alongside other renowned genres like Jamaica’s reggae and Congo’s rhumba. This listing aims to preserve non-physical intellectual wealth, including folklore, traditions, and customs, highlighting the genre’s cultural significance.