COP Prosper Agblor exchanging pleasantries with Henrik West.
The Ghana Police Band, in partnership with Medley Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, has begun a recording project as part of its centenary celebration.
A total of 50 indigenous Ghanaian medleys were recorded at the studios of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) during live performance by the band recently.
The recorded songs, according to Superintendent Dr Frank Hukporti, Director of the Ghana Police Band, would be used as souvenir for the celebration.
The project was undertaken by Henrik West, a recording engineer from Denmark.
Dr Hukporti told DAILY GUIDE that most of the local songs had long been forgotten.
They include gospel, highlife, Pentecostal and traditional songs.
The Ghana Police Band, has over the years, been used as a tool in bridging the gap between the police service and civilians.
The band, led by Dr Hukporti, has collaborated with foreign partners in the United States Navy band, Golden Lemon Wind orchestra from Germany, as well as local counterparts.
Members of the public are allowed to hire the band for functions like wedding celebrations, parties, funerals, among others.
It also features prominently during the end of year get together known in security cycles as West African Security Services Association (WASSA).
The band, according to Dr Hukporti, will hold activities across the country throughout the year as part of the centenary celebration which would be under the theme, “Impacting lives through music,”
He said there will be performances in second cycle institutions and universities.
“The band is also expected to perform with a group from Ohio University in the United States at the National Theatre and with other Ghanaian musicians on Republic Day.
The band is also expected to travel to Germany in September on a three-week tour to perform with the Golden Lemon Orchestra.
The Director-General in-charge of Welfare, COP Prosper Agblor, who was at the studios to witness the recording, expressed delight at the performance of the band.
He said future recordings by the band could earn the police administration income.
He thanked Dr Hukporti and his team for the good initiative and urged them to continue to do their best.
“The police administration has your welfare at heart and plans are underway to equip the band with modern instruments to replace the old ones as well as set up a band in Tamale to serve the northern part of the country.
Henrik West, a Recording Engineer from Medley Studios in Copenhagen, in an interview with the paper, said he initially underestimated the band but with their performance he appreciated their talent.
“Even though some of their instruments are not too good, they are doing their best,” he added.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey