MUSIC AND DANCE EDUCATION IN GHANA: THE WAY
FORWARD
An Opening Address given by Prof. J. Anamuah-Mensah, Vice Chancellor,
University of Education, Winneba at the 26th Annual INSET/Confab of
PATAG at the Community Health Nurses Training School, Winneba, 24-28
August, 2004.
Mr. Chairman, Neeyi Ghartey VII, Omanhene of Efutu Traditional Area,
Emeritus Professor J. H. Nketsiah,
President of Performing Arts Teachers of Ghana (PATAG),
The National Executive of PATAG,
Distinguished Invited Guest,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I deem it an honour to be invited to give the Opening address at the 26 th
Annual Confab of the Performing Arts Teachers Association of Ghana under
the theme: MUSIC AND DANCE EDUCATION IN GHANA- THE WAY
FORWARD. I am happy that you have gathered here to deliberate on the
state of music and dance education in the country and to make proposals on
the future direction of music and dance education in this country. We are all
aware that over the years the status of music education in the school
curriculum has been reduced to a level where music and dance is taught as
an examinable subject only at the senior secondary school. This presents a
great challenge to PATAG. What possible solutions are there? I expect
PATAG to have a powerful influence on what is taught in the schools.
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It is said that we live in a society where music is intimately intertwined with
our day to day life. Music and dance starts from the time a child is born to
the time of death. The vice chancellor of the university of Cape Town,
Njabulo Ndbele in a message at a benefit launch concert for the Pan African
Society for Musical Arts said that “Music and dance play a major role in
building cultural-national identity in the global context. Music and dance
play a major role in building cultural-national identity in the global context.
Music and dance play a major role in building cultural-national identity in
the global context. Music knows no boundaries; it transcends cultural, ethnic
and linguistic limitations as people join in dance, harmony and rhythm. It is
good for the soul of a nation as it is good for the entertainment of
individuals.”
In the report of the President’s Committee on the Review of Education
Reforms in Ghana, music was made part of a newly created subject, creative
arts which according to the committee will “help to unlock the creativity of
our people, inform us about society and culture; and serve as a vehicle for
sharing the culture of other nations”.
One issue that concerns me is the leadership of the music education in the
country. Are there standards set for the attainment of skills in music at the
different levels of education? Are there journals that carry the voices/
research findings of music educators? How much work is being done to
document and analyze music and dance in different linguistic and
geographical areas? I am told that the Efutuland with its rich but unexplored
music and dance culture is a Christopher Columbus. We can probably say
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the same thing about the Nzemas, Dagombas and others. This is a challenge
to your association.
Another concern of mine is the need to institute bi-annual Festival of Music
and Arts for tertiary institutions at which awards can be made to talented and
promising students as well as excellence in research into traditional music
and arts. The hosting of this festival will rotate among the universities every
two years. The Awards can be made in the names of Dr. Ephraim Amu and
Prof Nketsiah the two doyens of African music. I will like to challenge you
to pursue this if you find it to be acceptable.
I believe you stand for excellence in the teaching and learning of your
subject and that you will leave no stone unturned to ensure that you achieve
this. Innovation and creativity is the hallmark of music education and it my
hope that this will be nurtured in the students at the primary, JSS and SSS.
I wish you fruitful deliberations during you stay here.
I now have the priviledge to formally declare the 26th PATAG Confab
opened.
Thank you and God Bless you.
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