Rev Dr Joyce Aryee
Rev Dr Joyce Aryee has described Harmonious Chorale’s win at 2018 World Choir Games in South Africa as not just a remarkable feat for the choral music industry in Ghana but also a boost for the country’s tourism.
The group, which was Ghana’s sole participant at the 2018 World Choir Games, beat several others to emerge world champion at the event held in Pretoria.
The World Choir Games, which was organised by Interkultur, is the largest choral event in the world, with the idea based on the Olympic Games ideals, which aims to peacefully unify people and nations connected by songs in a fair competition.
The 10th edition of the competition took place from July 4 to 14, the very first time in Africa.
A total of 300 choirs from over 60 countries participated in the World Choir Games 2018.
It was also the first time the Harmonious Chorale, which is the resident choir of Salt & Light Ministry, took part in the world event.
The 52-member group returned to Ghana on Monday to a rousing welcome at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Ghana.
There was singing and dancing in joyous celebration of their win when they arrived.
Joyce Aryee, who is the executive director of Salt & Light Ministry, told NEWS-ONE at the airport on Monday that the group put up a world-class performance to emerge victorious at the global event.
“For us, it is a proof that choral music is an excellent type of music and when young people get involved they really excel.
It also shows that it is also a way of bringing in tourism. If we can organise to have to specific dates then people will come, especially from Europe and other parts of Africa will like to be involved listening to good choirs,” she said.
The win, she added, has presented a great responsibility for the group to work extra hard to make Ghana proud in subsequent events.