Maame Efua Houadjeto is the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) officially launched the centenary celebration of Highlife, Ghana’s iconic music genre, with a grand and culturally rich event on Friday, 19th December 2025, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, bringing together government officials, industry stakeholders, veteran highlife musicians, creatives, and music lovers.
The historic event was powered by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), and the Creative Arts Agency, underscoring a unified national commitment to preserving and celebrating Ghana’s rich musical heritage.
Guests were welcomed with traditional palm wine music, setting the tone for an evening steeped in nostalgia, pride, and cultural excellence.
The event officially commenced with an introduction of the centenary theme, “Highlife @ 100 – Our Rhythm, Our Story,” highlighting Highlife’s enduring influence as a soundtrack to Ghana’s social, political, and cultural evolution.
The evening featured captivating live performances from celebrated Highlife legends, including Asabea Cropper, Kenteman, Pat Thomas, Paulina Oduro, Amandzeba Nat Brew, Bessa Simons, and Adina, accompanied by a live band, delighting guests with timeless classics that showcased highlife’s rich musical diversity.
Delivering the keynote address, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, emphasized Highlife’s role as a powerful cultural export and a key pillar of Ghana’s creative economy, noting its contributions to tourism, national identity, and intergenerational storytelling.
She also highlighted the importance of institutional support for the creative arts, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s cultural legacy while positioning Highlife on the global stage as part of Ghana’s broader cultural diplomacy and tourism strategy.
A major highlight of the evening was the official centenary unveiling, which featured a compelling video montage chronicling 100 years of Highlife, followed by the unveiling of the official “Highlife @ 100” logo.
The unveiling was led by the CEO of Ghana Tourism Agency, the President of MUSIGA, and the Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency.
In his remarks, MUSIGA President, Bessa Simons, described the centenary as a defining moment for Ghanaian music, calling on stakeholders to invest in documentation, education, and opportunities for emerging musicians to ensure the longevity of Highlife.
The event concluded with closing remarks by the Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency, followed by networking, media interviews, and continued musical performances, reinforcing the celebratory spirit of the night.
The Highlife @ 100 initiative marks the beginning of a series of activities aimed at honouring the pioneers of Highlife, engaging the youth, and promoting Ghana’s music heritage locally and internationally.
