Everything eventually worked out well for both camps as they cooperated for a successful International Jazz Day Concert on April 30 at the Kingdom Gardens,  Ashiyie- Regimanuel Katamanso Estate in Accra.

Dubbed Jazz at the Park, the event featured performances by Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Pat Thomas, Steve Bedi, Miatta Fahnbulleh and the Adasamma Band. It was a pleasant, outdoor affair and the audience saw a top quality production facilitated by Virtual Hub in support of DreamChild Foundation’s commitment to using the power music to help improve the lives of African children.

Steve Bedi

The artistes, as expected, put out engaging renditions of their music. The grand logistical backing from Virtual Hub in terms of   a top-notch PA system, stage lights, sharp LED screens, live streaming gadgets and more, however, made the evening more enjoyable. 

“We understand how important sound, lighting and other technical support can be when organizing events, and that's why we are committed to ensuring that every event is memorable for all the right reasons,” Paa Kwesi Holdbrook-Smith, a member of the Virtual Hub team told the audience at the start of the concert.

Cynthia Quarcoo of Dreamchild Foundation

The DreamChild Foundation is an NGO which aims to provide outlets for young people to meet and engage on issues related to their welfare but in a fun and entertaining environment.

 Speaking at the concert, Cynthia Quarcoo, a lawyer and a lead consultant in charge of governance and fundraising matters for DreamChild Foundation, touched on the NGO’s upcoming HoodTalk series. 

“The project will be made up of two key aspects: a youth festival that brings young people together to discuss topical issues about their progress while engaging in healthy entertainment.

 “The second part focuses on a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) angle where we seek to raise funds to construct five pediatric hospitals across Ghana. We will also raise awareness about pertinent challenges faced by the girl child.

 “Additionally, we intend to use HoodTalk to throw more light on climate change- related issues with a focus on youth empowerment and developing eco-friendly habits,” the DreamChild executive stated.

Paa Kwesi Holdbrook-Smith of Virtual Hub Ent. GH. speaking to the media

She added that another objective of the programme would be a youth tree planting drive that would soon begin a pilot edition which would tour the Eastern, Western, Volta, Ashanti and Northern regions.

 She called on corporate institutions and individuals to support DreamChild and announced that the land at Ashiyie on which the concert was being held, was a donation by DreamChild to construct the first pediatric hospital unit of the HoodTalk Project.

A section of the audience in a happy mood

UNESCO’s Representative in Ghana, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, read a message on behalf of the Director-General of UNESCO. He said the Jazz at the Park concert was one of the official events listed by UNESCO for this year’s celebration of International Jazz Day which was marked in 150 countries.

Apart from UNESCO, the Jazz at the Park concert was also endorsed by Stanbic Bank and the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).