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Barbarossa Woodwind Quintet entertains pupils of Ringway Estate Basic School
Pupils of the Ringway Estate Basic School, Osu, were on Thursday treated to some selected musical genres by the Barbarossa Woodwind Quintet, a United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR) Band with the aim of promoting cultural exchanges.
The live musical performance by the band was to also inspire the creativity of the students, enhance their appreciation to global cultures, and broaden their understanding of music as a universal language.
During the performance by the band through the use of musical instruments such as the flute, bassoon, and the French horn, some of the students displayed their dancing skills, receiving applause from their mates and officials from the United States Embassy in Ghana.
Also, each member of the band took turns to explain to the pupils the origins and meaning of the songs and the importance of the musical instruments they used for their musical performance.
Present at the musical performance were the headmistress and teachers of the school, the Municipal Director of Education of Korle-Klottey, Mr Phillip Aidoo, and other dignitaries.
Speaking to The Spectator in an interview, the leader of the band, Staff Sergeant Osvaldo Corea said the band took pleasure in sharing the universal language of music, especially to the young ones because music impacted positively in their education and their emotional well-being.
“The rest of the world owes a lot to the African continent with all the rhythms and different styles of music. When we came to Ghana, we had the opportunity to give a master class to the members of the national symphony orchestra and also share some musical experiences,” Staff Sgt. Corea pointed out.
He, also, advised individuals who had the passion for music not to give up on their dreams but remain consistent, persistent, and work hard to achieve those dreams.
Staff Sergeant Corea commended Ghanaians for the hospitality and welcoming nature, adding that such attitude had made their stay in the country a memorable one.
For her part, Cultural Affairs Attaché, US Embassy in Ghana, Laneice Brooker explained that the musical performance formed part of the band’s cultural exchange programmes on the sideline of the Africa Land Forces Summit being hosted in Ghana.
Mr Aidoo said the musical performance by the band was instrumental in strengthening the bilateral relationship between Ghana and the US and therefore thanked the US Embassy for its decision to bring the band to the country.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
News
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
