Goethe-Institut director bows out on wings of music

“Tonight is about enjoyment, having fun and appreciating people.” That was how the emcee introduced the event at the Goethe-Institut  on Friday, August 30, where there was a lot of live music available for the function to pleasantly float on.

The  Goethe-Institut’s Director, Heike Friesel, had finished her almost six-year tenure in Ghana and the send-off party organised in her honour was also to welcome her replacement, Max Rottger.

 It was a cheery atmosphere as staff and friends of the German cultural outfit enjoyed some food and drinks and danced to the music of Dela Botri and the Hewale Sounds, saxophonist Bernard Ayisa and guitarist Akablay’s trio.

The Goethe-Institut came to Ghana in 1961. Over the years, it has pursued its main activities of promoting the German language, offering information about Germany and delivering cultural exchange programmes. 

Heike Friesel arrived in Ghana at the beginning of April 2019 as the organisation’s 13th director. As expected, among other things, she engaged with the visual art, film and literary communities and had a particularly strong affinity with local musicians. 

When Dela Botri and his band went up to perform, he said he would always hold Heike Friesel dear in his heart. 
He briefly recounted how she invited musicians to play, without live audiences during the COVID era in 2020, and had the performances streamed and recorded for a documentary about Ghanaian music. 

Guitarist Akablay  performed with his trio of Gaddiel Amoah on bass and Oko Amarteyfio on percussion.
He appreciated Heike Friesel for supporting his World Highlife Festival over the last four years. 

Ghanaian musicians that performed at the Goethe-Institut during Heike Friesel’s term of office included Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Kenteman & Queen Asabia, Abiana, Ekow Alabi, Pat Thomas, Lipstick Queens, GHJazz Collective, Aaron Bebe, Mawuli Nukpese, Fred Dred, KK Kabobo, Bright Osei, KK Yeboah and Santrofi Band.

Throwing in bits of  Ga, Twi, Ewe and Hausa phrases in a short speech at the party, Heike Friesel  said her Ghanaian name was Akosua. She thanked colleagues at the Goethe-Institut and said without their dedication, the organisation would not have been able to perform like it did under her.

“I’m grateful to partners that I had the honour to cooperate with on various projects. I met so many people and had many interesting and enlightening conversations. I felt very good and very comfortable in this country. Ghanaians are among the nicest people in the world,” she added.

Her replacement, Max Rottger, said about a year ago when he learnt that Heike Friesel’s position would soon be vacant, he called her about  how it was like living and working in Ghana. 

He said she spoke about Ghana with a lot of enthusiasm and joy and mentioned the wonderful people she worked with. It was therefore an easy decision for him to apply for the position and he was lucky to have it. 

The Goethe-Institut staff presented a gift to Heike Friesel and Dela Botri also gave her an Atenteben flute. There were also gifts for two other members of staff who were leaving the organisation: John Owoo of the Cultural Programmes and Public Relations Department and Linda Sindel of the Administration Department.

As more music flowed and guests danced the evening away, everyone wished the new director well and hoped he would keep up the cordial relationship with Ghanaian artists.