Spanish Embassy to host ‘Hola Accra’ cultural exchange to deepen Ghana–Spain ties on April 24" — Spanish Ambassador

A major cultural collaboration between Ghana and Spain is set to take centre stage in Accra on April 24, as the Spanish Embassy rolls out Hola Accra—a groundbreaking musical exchange initiative that has already secured the full backing of the Ga State.

The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, H. E. Ángel Lossada Torres-Quevedo, announced the initiative during a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, describing it as a bold step in strengthening cultural diplomacy between the two nations.

According to the Ambassador, Hola Accra—“Hola” meaning “Hello” in Spanish—will serve as a vibrant platform for musical fusion, collaboration, and artistic exchange between Ghanaian and Spanish musicians.

“This is a very important cultural experience that will benefit both Ghana and Spain. It is about bringing people together through music and demonstrating how cultures can collaborate to create something meaningful,” he stated.

The initiative, being organised in partnership with Música, will feature a series of concerts and capacity-building sessions involving three Ghanaian musical groups and a Spanish ensemble made up of four visiting musicians.

Ambassador Torres-Quevedo explained that beyond individual performances, the highlight of the programme will be joint sessions where Ghanaian and Spanish artistes will merge their styles to create original fusion music.

“They will perform separately, but most importantly, they will come together to make music. It is about exchange, cooperation, and showing how people from different backgrounds can create together,” he added.

The programme will also include musical dialogues, discussions, and interactive engagements aimed at deepening cultural understanding and promoting artistic learning between the two countries.

Responding to the presentation, the Ga Mantse welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between Ghana and Spain, rooted in trade, business, and cultural cooperation.

“It is a pleasure to strengthen the relationship we have built with Spain. Ghana and Spain continue to enjoy a solid partnership—we trade, we connect, and we do business together,” King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II noted.

While endorsing the programme, the Ga Mantse stressed the need for cultural initiatives to reflect local context and identity to ensure meaningful impact and broad-based support.

“Cultural exchange is important, but content is key. It must be tailored to suit the environment in which it is being implemented, so that we can ensure strong Ghanaian ownership behind it,” he emphasised.

Satisfied with the structure and vision of Hola Accra, the Ga Mantse pledged the full support of the Ga State, declaring the initiative a priority on his agenda.

“I support this venture and will commit all necessary resources to ensure its success. The Palace has its full weight behind this programme,” he assured.

The Ambassador, in turn, expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that Hola Accra, already being replicated in other parts of Africa, is being introduced in Ghana for the first time—marking a significant milestone in cultural relations between the two countries.

With strong diplomatic backing and royal endorsement, Hola Accra is poised to become a landmark cultural event, showcasing the power of music to bridge cultures and unite people across borders.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith