Opening the event, H. E. Sharon Bar-li, the first female Ambassador assigned to Ghana outlined some of the noble projects that the Israeli government through the Embassy in Accra has initiated. Notable among the projects are the Early Childhood Education project which has successfully been implemented in Kumasi and has recently been introduced in Accra with Tamale billed to experience this laudable education project soon; neo-natal support in the mother and child units at Kumasi and Suntreso hospitals in Ashanti region and capacity building efforts by MASHAV, the Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.
Representing the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr. Kofi Deh, Director of Middle East and Asia Bureau of the Ministry congratulated the Embassy on its first anniversary and wished the Ambassador and Embassy well.
The musical gala took off in a high tempo fashion with songs in Hebrew, Spanish, Amharic and English with songs like Ayal-Ayale, Brong Faya, Back to Jerusalem, Maisha and Sememen which sent the invited guests on their feet dancing and waving. The mood at the National Theatre was that of pure joy and excitement. The excitement of the audience heightened when Rocky Dawuni made his entrance on the stage and engaged the audience in a series of reggae songs. The perfect collaboration and chemistry between Rocky Dawuni and Idan Raichel and his band produced an out-of-this-world musical vibes and a hybrid music which sent the crowd into another level of excitement and joy.
It was a night to remember as the superb sound, lighting, instrumentation, vocals and excitement of the audience harmonized seamlessly to create a magical musical experience.
This was the first time Idan Raichel has visited Ghana to perform with Rocky Dawuni at a Musical Gala and what a night it turned to be!
In attendance were diplomatic corps, high level government officials, Ghanaian elite, traditional leaders, Israeli community, friends of the media and the general public.
Below are links to photos, video clips and stories of the musical gala:
http://www.idanraichelproject.com/en/press-2012