First African-German Music Festival set for Accra this weekend

According to organisers, the event will showcase an eclectic blend of African and German musical talents, highlighting the rich cultural fusion between the two countries.

Three German musicians, guitarist Nick Morrison, saxophonist Edith Steyer and Yael Gat (trumpet and flugelhorn player), have arrived in Accra from Berlin to participate. They will engage in a collaborative musical exchange with the Nativ Afrik Band through recording sessions and live performances.

The organisers said the festival is the highlight of the broader German Days celebrations in Ghana, aiming to strengthen the cultural and artistic ties between Germany and Africa, focusing on Ghana as a hub for cross-continental collaborations. In that regard, “we are happy to bring together all these talented musicians from Ghana and Germany to meet, create and share a common passion.”

Speaking about the project, and visiting Ghana for the first time, the German trio said: “Music is probably the oldest form of communication [and] represents one of humanity’s highest achievements, expressing things that cannot be said in words and bridging the cultural gaps that can otherwise be difficult to cross.

“Arriving here in Ghana, we have been welcomed with open arms, great food, and understanding musicianship by Ghanaian members of the Nativ Afrik. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our musical knowledge and culture, and to celebrate the endless creative possibilities that come from cross-cultural musical dialogue.”

Emmanuel Amponsah, drummer, and leader of Nativ Afrik Band, said: “This exchange brings a lot of new ideas to all of us musically, which we look forward to exploring further in the future.”

The line-up includes the iconic Ghanaian highlife outfit Westcoast Ebusua Band, solo act Mr Brown, and other surprise artists.