In a passionate and timely appeal, renowned Creative Arts Business and Intellectual Property Consultant Dr. Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr, better known in showbiz circles as Bnoskka has called on His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, to elevate the nation’s globally acclaimed Highlife music by including prominent highlife artistes on official international trips.
Speaking on Onua FM last Saturday during an engaging interview with NKG, Bnoskka emphasized that Highlife is more than just music. It is a living embodiment of Ghanaian and broader African identity, joy, resilience, and cultural storytelling.
“Highlife is tied to our very soul as Ghanaians,” Bnoskka declared. “It has shaped our social fabric, influenced generations, and now carries the prestigious seal of global recognition. The Presidency should be our foremost cultural ambassador consciously promoting everything authentically Ghanaian on the world stage, just as we’ve seen with the explosive global rise of our native wear, Fugu, (smock).”
The timing of his call could not be more fitting. In December 2025, UNESCO officially inscribed Highlife Music and Dance on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (announced December 10, 2025, during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee). This historic recognition celebrates Highlife as a unique, Ghana-origin genre. A monumental expression of musical genius that has influenced hiplife, Afrobeats, and countless global sounds while remaining deeply rooted in communal celebration, social commentary, and dance.
Bnoskka stressed that this UNESCO milestone presents a golden opportunity for strategic cultural diplomacy:
– Highlife should not remain confined to local stages or diaspora events.
– The President, as the nation’s highest representative, can amplify its reach by featuring live highlife performances during state visits, summits, and international engagements.
– Such visibility would boost tourism, creative exports, youth inspiration, and national pride, mirroring how intentional promotion has turned Fugu into a worldwide fashion statement.
Bnoskka described the Office of the President as Ghana’s number-one cultural ambassador, urging a deliberate policy to showcase the country’s soft power assets abroad through “fair and strategic means.”
“Highlife unites us at home and tells our story abroad,” he added. “Let’s make it a conscious effort and not an afterthought to let the world hear and feel the rhythm that defines us.”
Bnoskka also teased an ambitious upcoming project; a major Highlife Music and Dance Conference aimed at elevating international conversations around the genre. The event is expected to bring together scholars, artistes, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and global partners to discuss preservation, innovation, commercialization, and global positioning in the post-UNESCO era.
Watch the full interview segment below to catch Bnoskka’s passionate delivery and insightful recommendations.
