Switzerland and Ghana are charting a path of cultural dialogue and youth empowerment through music, defying the global tide of division and tension, says Thomas Dobler, Head of Jazz at Switzerland’s Haute École de Musique (HEMU) and Artistic Director of the Accra Jazz Academy (AJA).

Speaking at the launch of The Ghana Experience Concert in Accra on Thursday, 30 October, 2025, Dobler said the initiative goes beyond music, describing it as “a living example of how cultural collaboration can shape the next generation.”

“We’re not just teaching music—we’re equipping young artists with the skills, networks, and global perspective they need to explore the world and build their futures through their artistry,” he said.

The concert, held at 8:00 p.m. under the auspices of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana, Benin and Togo, marked the culmination of a pioneering partnership between HEMU and the Accra Jazz Academy. The collaboration, incubated by the Ghana Jazz Foundation, brought together young musicians from Switzerland and Ghana for a bold fusion of jazz, classical, and traditional West African music.

The interdisciplinary performance featured Swiss and Ghanaian talents performing side by side, including Thomas Dobler on vibraphone, Alex Tseh on xylophone and flute, and Lucas Doe on seprewa and kora.

The lineup also showcased vocalists Gaiane Gantier, Maxine Vulliet, and Raphaël Descotes, with a string ensemble and rhythm section that blended European precision with Ghanaian rhythm.

The project offers more than artistic collaboration—it provides young musicians with mentorship, international exposure, and opportunities to perform on global stages. The programme also strengthens academic and cultural exchange between the two countries.

According to the Embassy, The Ghana Experience is part of a broader effort to promote cultural diplomacy and sustainable creative industries. It supports students through workshops, masterclasses, and joint performances that merge jazz, classical, and highlife traditions.

Supported by DGES (Vaud), Fondation Culturelle HEMU-CL, and the Ghana Jazz Foundation, the initiative is being hailed as a model for cross-cultural learning and next-generation talent development.

Dobler said the project shows what can be achieved when nations choose collaboration over conflict. “This collaboration embodies the spirit of cultural diplomacy at its finest,” he noted. “It demonstrates that when nations invest in their youth and celebrate shared humanity, everyone benefits.”

The Ghana Experience, organisers say, demonstrates how partnerships built on creativity and respect can bridge continents—one note at a time.

Sompaonline.com