Ghana/Germany urged to strengthen inter-cultural ties

Accra, Aug. 16, GNA - The Germany Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Peter Linder on Sunday urged Ghana and Germany to use culture to strengthen bilateral relationships between them.

He lauded the cordial relationship between the two nations and said the German Government would continue to explore the existing bonds to their mutual benefit.

Mr Linder made the remarks at a music festival in Accra dubbed: "A Ghana/Germany Cultural Event of The Year", which featured the Winneba Youth Choir, The Indigen Afrika and Der Osnabrucker Jugendchor from Germany.

Mr Linder said the visit of the German youth choir would further strengthen the already cordial ties between the two nations and deepen the understanding that already existed in cultural cooperation.

The groups thrilled music lovers, who thronged the National Theatre, with mastery of the various musical instruments.

The festival started with powerful drums, horn and animation display by Indigen Afrika that momentarily transformed the venue from a theatre to traditional cultural grounds with authentic African rhythms expressed through the medium of indigenous African instruments.

Their songs included "Shipi Fontomfrom"; "Ebi Momo"; "Christian"; "Sanjorti"; Mampong Kwan Ware" and "Miss Lolo".

The Winneba Youth took the stage and moved the audience into a higher gear with angelic voices and chorographic vivacity that kept most people dancing and clapping.

The songs included "Adanse Kronkron"; "Hallelujah Fa Hen Adwomtow"; "They that wait upon the Lord"; "Thou Knowest Lord"; "Laudate Dominum"; "Keyre Me Kwan"; "Miye Gbomo Bo"; "I will Praise His name"; "Marvellous" and "O God, Whose Almighty Power".

The Germans accepted the challenge and moved the audience with a unique sound in a manner that ensured greater independence and control of individual voices and the production of a stronger overall sound.

The Germans sang "Cunti Simus Concanentes;" "Echo"; "Tourdion"; "Zum Tanze"; "Haec Dies" and "Remember".

Most members of the audience the Ghana News Agency spoke to after the show noted that the group was unique in style and in harmony.

"They exhibited musical professionalism, stage conformity and audience control from the start to the end with every song," Ms Becky Asare, a Public Relations Officer said.