Ghana Vis a Vis project selects a dozen bands

The chosen 12 will perform their music for a group of Spanish music producers on 15 and 16 March, ahead of a final selection. The selected bands are Della Hayes and Her Women of Colour, Elom, Fokn Bois, Fra, Gyatabuom and the Lions, Kakatsitsi, King Ayisoba, Kyekyeku & Ghanalogue Highlife, Lamisi, Soulstreet Band, Weku Kronkron Band and the Yibor Afric Band.

The Vis a Vis project is organised by Spanish public diplomacy institution Casa Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Musicians Union of Ghana, Spain’s embassy in Accra and Ghana’s embassy in Madrid.

“We are very excited to come to Ghana to hold our 10th edition of the Vis a Vis Project," Casa Africa’s general director, Luis Padron, said when announcing the call for applications in January.

"We know we are coming to one of the countries with a professional music industry on the African continent, and we are willing to open this door to bring two of the best artists to perform, in some cases, in front of huge audiences next summer in Spain. For sure, as we have seen in previous editions with bands from other African countries, this tour will be a great opportunity and a new market for them”.

Speaking about the selection, the Spanish contingent said the 12 were bands of “incredible quality” chosen out of 65 applications. The choice was made based on what the judges believe would work for Spain's music festival audience.

Ghana Vis a Vis is the 10th edition of a cultural cooperation project targeting the expansion and deepening of the knowledge of African music in Spain. Ethiopia, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Angola have each been visited once. Senegal is the sole country to have received two visits.