Ghana shows big love to Haiti

A galaxy of Ghanaian stars lent their support in the fun-packed tribute concert dubbed ‘Ghana Loves Haiti’, for the victims of the Haiti earthquake disaster. Several thousands of Ghanaians gathered at the Accra Conference Center last Saturday to witness world class performances from the best entertainers Ghana has to offer; from music to comedy and from highlife to hiplife all in solidarity of Haiti.

Internationally acclaimed and award winning Ghanaian journalist Kwaku Sakyi Addo, one of the few known Ghanaians to have visited Haiti recounted ‘Life’ in that country during his short stay there. The emotional narration brought to bare the amazing similarities between the people of Haiti and the people of Ghana, in terms of communality values, religion, naming, and hospitality among others. He recounted the moments he had there with passion as he mentioned names of some of the acquaintances he made while there, not knowing whether these individual are living or dead.

A Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Alex Segbefia also told a story of a Ghanaian woman who was saved because she had come to Ghana for a wedding, drawing how close to home the disaster is. Satirist KSM succeeded in getting the audience to laugh away some of the pain painted in their minds by pictures that continue to pour out from Haiti, signifying that there is hope for living and a light at the end of the tunnel for the people of Haiti.

The audience was spoilt for choice when it came to musical performances on the night; so much so that some of the artists billed to perform couldn’t hit the stage during the duration of the concert. Among those that performed were highlife icons, Paapa Yankson, George Darko and Pat Thomas. Others include Okyeame Kwame, Sarkodie, Kwaw Kese, Bradez, Wutah,Kweku T & D-Black, Yasmeen Helwani, Iwan, Kwabena Kwabena, Ohema Mercy, Bertha (Stars of the Future), Ruff-n-Smooth, Nii , Joe (Project Fame West Africa) and B-Rose.

The catastrophic 7.0 Mw earthquake hit the people of Haiti on January 12 killing several hundred thousands of people. Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere has lost 90% of their properties as a result of the earthquake which damaged the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail. Several lives were lost, including that of the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot and opposition leader Micha Gaillard.

The relief concert was produced by Blaqkaprikorn, with support from the Ministries of Information and Foreign Affairs, Silicon House, Charter House among others. Fundraising activities for Haiti still continues and Ghanaians are encouraged to Text "HAITI" to Kasapa, MTN and VODAFONE short code 1990 to donate GHc1.00 per text. Or to make cash donations into any GT Bank nationwide directly to the HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND - ACCOUNT NUMBER: 202 109097

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