Professional Artefact, May 2013

Will a UK accredited Drama/Performing Arts programme be effective in schools in Ghana?Afi Agyeman, Middlesex University

Rationale

✤ Equip students with adequate knowledge and skills in performing

✤ Nurture talent in youths

✤ Create a better perception for adults of the benefits of Performing Arts

✤ Establish a relationship between education and Performing Arts

Background

✤ Capital: Accra

✤ Government: Republic

✤ Currency: Ghana Cedi (GHC)

✤ Population: 24.2 million (2010)

Culture of Ghana

✤ Culture means Life-Style manifested by particular people/society

History Of Arts in Ghana

✤ In 1958 the experimental theatre players was founded by Efua Sutherland

✤ In 1959 ‘The National Symphony Orchestra of Ghana’ was created

✤ In 1961 it was renamed ‘The Ghana Drama Studio’

✤ In 1968 a touring theatre company called the Kusum players was created

✤ In 1992 the National Theatre was built on the site of the drama studio

History cont.

✤ The Ghana Drama Studio was moved to the University of Ghana at Legon, and was rebuilt as an exact replica of the original Drama Studio. Joe de Graft later became the first director of what is now known as the School of Performing Arts after its separation from the Institute of African Studies to become the School of Music, Dance and Drama. The School offers diploma and two undergraduate degree programmes in addition to graduate level programmes up to the PhD level.

Pioneers of Arts in Ghana

✤ Efua Sutherland (1924-1996) Joe Coleman De Graft (1924-1978) Ama Ata Aidoo (1942-present)

✤ Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) J.J Rawlings (1947-present)

The National Theatre, Accra

✤ Opened in 1992

✤ Built by the Chinese as a Gift to ghana formally known as the Gold Coast

✤ Hosts three resident companies the National Dance Company, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Theatre Players

Facts about schools

✤ 12,630 primary schools, 5,450 junior secondary schools, 503 senior secondary schools, 38 teacher training colleges, 18 technical institutions, two diploma-awarding institutions and five public universities

✤ Most children begin their education at the age of three or four starting from nursery school to kindergarten, then primary school, junior high school, senior high school, and university.

✤ Ghana has B.E.C.E that means "Basic Education Certificate Examination" the equivalent to U.K.‘s GCSE’S and this exam has to be taken before a student is accepted into senior high school.

Facts about schools cont.

✤ Examined subjects: Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Integrated Science,Basic Designing and Technology, Information Communication and Technology, Religious and Moral Education, French

✤ International schools follow either the French, Swiss, American or British curriculum

Drama in the curriculum

✤ 83.3% of my survey participants agreed creativity is important in studies

✤ Finding and nurturing talent at a young age can help students see if this is a career they would like to pursue or even just help them grow a person

✤ Culture is important in the Ghanaian society, creativity in studies could promote appreciation of Ghanaian arts and culture in schools

✤ Create performance opportunities for the youth

✤ Potential examining bodies: AQA, Edexcel

How can Arts be promoted in Schools?

✤ Awareness Encouragement Facilities Teachers

✤ More plays and theatre visits

How can Arts be promoted in Schools and Ghana?

✤ Funding Advertising Collaboration

Micheal Akenoo

I am optimistic that Ghana can effect an accelerated pace of developing her theatre in the 21st century if she can take advantage of the present favorable and unprecedented conditions prevailing in the country, namely, the possession of a national theatre building, a Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture and the recent establishment of Theatre Arts Departments at the University of Education Winneba, the University of Cape Coast and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

John Mensah Sarbah

The study of their own ancient as well as

modern history has been shamefully neglected

by educated inhabitants of the Gold Coast

By Afi Agyeman

✤ Afiagyeman.blogspot.com