On May 29, 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Japan and Min-On, with the cooperation of Minato City, presented Winneba Youth Choir of Ghana: Ghana’s Reset Through Youth, Culture, and Harmony at the Akasaka Civic Center in Tokyo. Approximately 300 people attended the event, including representatives from the embassies of nine countries.
The Winneba Youth Choir, one of Ghana’s leading youth choirs, was founded in Winneba in Ghana’s Central Region with the aim of nurturing young people through choral music. Led by John Francis Arthur-Yamoah, 28 members traveled to Japan and performed a diverse repertoire ranging from Ghanaian traditional music and classical works to contemporary African compositions.
Prior to the start of the concert, The Voice of Nyamitease, a Ghanaian gospel group based in Japan, gave a special performance. In his opening remarks, Mr. Francis Thalamus DOE, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Japan, expressed his hope that the audience would experience both the vitality of Ghana and the harmony found within its cultural diversity through the choir’s music, rhythms, and vocal harmonies.
The first half of the program opened with “Jambo Bwana,” followed by performances of the national anthems of Ghana and Japan in their respective languages.The first half of the program opened with “Jambo Bwana,” followed by performances of the national anthems of Ghana and Japan in their respective languages. The choir also presented traditional songs sung in Akan and Ewe, as well as original compositions by the choir’s founder, Dr. George Mensah Essilfie, and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9, Op. 125. The choir’s powerful vocals, rich harmonies, and distinctive rhythms produced by the double bell drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The second half began with a performance by Japanese singer-songwriter Hirari Sato, followed by a joint rendition of “Amazing Grace” by the Winneba Youth Choir and The Voice of Nyamitease. The choir then performed a medley of highlife, one of Ghana’s most popular musical genres. As the lively melodies and energetic singing filled the hall, audience members rose to their feet, creating an atmosphere of excitement and celebration.
Audience members shared enthusiastic impressions following the concert. One attendee remarked that the choir’s powerful voices and vibrant performance were captivating from beginning to end, adding that the performers’ evident enjoyment made the experience equally joyful for the audience. Another commented that the concert reaffirmed the universal language of music, noting that they found themselves dancing along during the finale. A younger attendee expressed surprise at how enjoyable live music could be even without knowing the songs beforehand and said they felt encouraged by seeing performers of a similar generation taking the stage with such confidence and energy.
On May 28, prior to the concert, members of the Winneba Youth Choir visited the Min-On Music Museum, where they met with Min-On Vice President Ito and toured the Classical Piano Room and Automatic Instrument Room.
This program was made possible through the generous support of Min-On’s sustaining members, to whom we extend our sincere appreciation.
