The President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons, has said Highlife is intrinsically Ghanaian and that although some countries try to claim it as their own, they cannot take the genre away from Ghana.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the 'Highlife to the World (H2TW) – Black Star Experience 2027' campaign, scheduled for August 2, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain, the MUSIGA President described Highlife as Ghana's priceless gift to the world.

The campaign is dedicated to promoting and preserving Ghana's Highlife music, which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially inscribed on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2025.

"We are formally announcing the campaign at the concert at SeaSea Club in Barcelona, but the rollout starts in March next year alongside Ghana's 70th Independence Anniversary celebrations. Highlife is the glorious rhythm from Ghana, and we are proud of it," Bessa Simons said.

The Barcelona event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is being organised by the Ghana Embassy in Madrid, the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), the Black Star Experience and Showbiz Africa.

Performers at the concert will include Stonebwoy, Amandzeba Nat Brew, Obrafour, Bessa Simons, Jupitar and others. DJs on rotation will include some of Ghana's finest based in Europe, including DJ Logs, DJ Demo, DJ Enoch and DJ King Solo, with a guest appearance by Spain-based Nigerian DJ Enny.

The Ghanaian delegation will be hosted by H.E. Kalsoume Sinare Baffour, Ghana's Ambassador to Spain. It will include Bessa Simons (President, Musicians Union of Ghana), Maame Efua Houadjeto (CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority) and Rex Omar (Black Star Experience Coordinator).

Other members of the delegation are Gideon Nee Aryeequaye (Executive Secretary, Creative Arts Agency), Verus Nartey (CEO, Showbiz Africa and Made in Ghana Consulting Ltd) and Eric Acquah (CEO, Benayacon Entertainment).

The Barcelona event is being organised in partnership with Benayacon Entertainment, the National Folklore Board, the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Creative Arts Agency, with support from the Spanish Embassy in Ghana and the UNESCO Office in Ghana.