US Navy Band ends 3 day visit to Sekondi-Takoradi as part of strengthening ties with Ghana (PHOTOS)

• Posted on July 24, 2019
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

As part of strategies to strengthen ties between the United States of America and Ghana, the US Navy Band visited the Western Regional capital Sekondi-Takoradi from Sunday 21^st July to Tuesday 23^rd July, 2019 to engage the residents in activities that portrays the human face side of the security agency.

The band is touring the Gulf of Guinea, playing music to entertain their audience as well as and learning from different cultures.

Residents of Sekondi-Takoradi were entreated to several music genres; from jazz, samba, to afro-centric music at a colourful welcome reception on Sunday 21^st July, 2019 at the Sekondi Youth Center.

Chief Musician First Class, Joseph Schoonmaker said their tour affords them an opportunity to strengthen relations with Ghana and other countries as well as learning and sharing cultures.

“We looking to build on the partnerships that the US has with several countries along the Gulf of Guinea. We have a medical team, members of the US Coast Guard, Law enforcement, and we are sharing ideas, working on best practices and building our connections and partnerships. But then we also have the band…and what we trying to do is basically make people happy, connect people through music” he said.

Mr. Schoonmaker added that “sometimes they go to countries where we don’t speak the language but they always speak music. So we use music to connect with people on a very human level”

On Monday 22^nd July, 2019, the US Navy Band together with other US Naval Officers paid a courtesy call to the Western Regional Minister Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah at the Regional Coordinating Council. The Regional Minister who was happy to receive the Officers mentioned that the band should make this tour an annual event since the Region is happy to welcome them anytime.

“The Western Region welcomes investments too. I know you came for a security expedition but security can also go with investment. Please let investors know that the region is open for investments as it is endowed with enormous resources; there are gold, timber, lithium, cocoa, oil and more natural resources in the Western Region” Hon. Okyere-Darko Mensah added.

The band also floated through the streets of Takoradi on Monday 22nd July, 2019. In the 2 and half kilometre float, the band entreated market women, students, artisans, taxi drivers and other professionals to good music. 

The St. Johns Anglican School at Ketan Road and Naval Base Cluster of Schools in Takoradi also benefitted from the treat to good music from the US Navy Band on 22^nd July, 2019.

“The warmth and friendliness of the people is almost overwhelming. The generosity…it’s not like any other culture in the world. When you come to Ghana, Nigeria everyone is saying welcome, welcome” Mr Schoonmaker stressed.

Photos below;