US Navy Band performing on stage
Residents of Sekondi-Takoradi were treated to good music from the members of the US Navy Band who were in the metropolis for a three-day tour.
The US Naval personnel were in the area to engage the residents in activities that portrayed the human face side of the security agency. The band treated the audience to jazz, samba and Afro-centric music at the Sekondi Youth Centre last Sunday.
The band was touring the Gulf of Guinea, playing music to entertain their audience, as well as learning from different cultures.
Chief Musician First Class, Joseph Schoonmaker, said their tour would also afford them an opportunity to strengthen relations with Ghana and other countries along the Gulf of Guinea.
“We are 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 and connect them through music,” he said.
The US Navy Band, together with other US Naval officers, later paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sekondi.
The regional minister mentioned that the band should make their tour an annual event since the Region is ready to welcome them anytime.
“The Western Region welcomes you. I know you came for a security expedition but security can also go with investment,” he added.
The band also organised a procession through the principal streets of Takoradi and later treated traders at the Takoradi Market Circle to melodious songs to the admiration of all.