Ghana’s School of Performing Arts Turns 50

The University of Ghana School of Performing Arts has launched its 50th annniversary with speeches and a variety of  artistic performances.

The launch which took place at the National theatre last week, was graced with the presence of many old students such as Ernest Abbeyquaye,  Kofi Middleton Mends, Prof. Martin Owusu, Nii Kwei Sowah, Doris Kuwornu, David Dontoh, Dzifa Gomashie, Edinam Atatsii, Mawuli Semevor, Akosua Abdallah,  Africanus Aveh  and Nii Okwei Hammond

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Cosmas Badasu who is the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana applauded the School for its hard work so far and promised to deliver on promises that had been made to the School with regard to the completion of their new bulding to accommodate the growing numbers in the school.

The Acting director,Dr. Awo Mana Asiedu, paid tribute to those who had the vision to establish the School and noted that at 50, it was time as a nation to recognize the importance of the School.

She mentioned many achievements of the School which included the development of  human resource for the Centres of National Culture nationwide, education, media and the artistic world as a whole.

The anniversary activities stretches over a three-month period and comprise drama, dance, music and film. There is also a playwriting competition on the cards. All  activities take place on Legon campus.

This month, August, will see Neo-Traditional dance performances on August 24 and 25; Pop Music Concert on August 25 and 26; and Yaw Asare’s Desert Dreams on August 30 and 31.

Many other such exciting activities have been lined up for September and October.

This year, 2012, the School of Performing Arts is  fifty years old. Starting out initially as the School of Music and Drama in 1962 under the auspices of the Institute of African Studies, it became the School of Performing Arts in 1971, comprising two departments, Music and Theatre Arts.

The Theatre Arts Department, at the time, comprised two units, Dance and Drama.  In 1996 Dance studies became a Department on its own, increasing the number of Departments to three. Plans are in place for a fourth department of Media Arts.

The School  offers diploma and two undergraduate degree programmes in addition to graduate level programmes up to the PhD level. The School has a Resident Theatre Group, Abibigromma, made up largely of graduates of the School with a senior member appointed as its Artistic Director.