Harmonious Chorale, Ghana’s internationally acclaimed choral music group, has returned home to a hero’s welcome after completing a historic 10-day musical tour across Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
The group captivated audiences and reaffirmed music’s role as a unifying force across the West African sub-region.
Held from April 25 to May 5, 2025, the choir’s West African Tour drew thousands to concert halls and cultural venues, celebrating African identity through an inspiring fusion of classical, traditional, and contemporary choral music.
The tour, described by many as a cultural renaissance on wheels, showcased Harmonious Chorale’s vocal mastery, linguistic versatility, and unwavering commitment to fostering unity through song.
A tour of harmony and heritage
The tour began in Lomé, Togo, where the choir’s powerful renditions of Ewe classics such as “Esrom Miele” by Ephraim Amu and “Eleagbe Lo” by T.W. Kwami earned a roaring standing ovation at the Grand Rex Auditorium.
The performance, graced by dignitaries including Madame Marie-Josée Trenou, President of the AEA Foundation, was praised for promoting continental unity and empowering African youth through the arts.
In Benin, Harmonious Chorale joined voices with La Chorale Paix Divine De Godomey, delivering a breathtaking joint performance of “Oye”, composed by the choir’s founder James Varrick Armaah.
French classical pieces like “La Nuit” and “Duo Des Fleurs” showcased the choir’s command of diverse musical traditions.
The night culminated in an emotional birthday tribute to Armaah, leaving the audience visibly moved.
The final leg of the tour in Nigeria brought both elegance and exuberance.
At a private evening hosted by philanthropist Sir Olu Okeowo, the choir performed Yoruba hymns including “Agbo Ju O” and gospel favourites like “My Help Comes from the Lord”, deeply touching Nigeria’s elite.
The crescendo came at the Shell Hall Grand Concert in Lagos, where a Ghana-Nigeria musical fusion brought audiences to their feet with electrifying performances of “Messiah Baba Mi” by Dr. Ayo Oluranti and the high-energy pidgin anthem “Una Hear Me So” by David Aina.
The event was attended by top dignitaries, including Archbishop Dr. Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and member of the Choir’s Board of Governors, who commended the choir’s pan-African mission and pledged ongoing support.
“A movement, not just music”
Reflecting on the tour’s impact, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development and Chairman of the Choir’s Board of Governors, described the experience as transformational:
“This tour was more than concerts; it was a movement. Harmonious Chorale has shown that Africa’s cultural wealth, when shared, becomes a catalyst for unity and progress. We return with hearts full of gratitude to God, our hosts, and every soul touched by this journey.”
Founded and directed by celebrated composer James Varrick Armaah, Harmonious Chorale continues to break boundaries and redefine African choral music on the global stage.
With this triumphant tour, the choir has cemented its legacy not only as musical ambassadors but as agents of cultural diplomacy and unity.