The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts has extended its campus to Northwest district of Port Loko.
Honorable Ibrahim Bundu, a former Member of Parliament, brought the initiative of extending the academy to the district.
Addressing the audience at the launching of the academy in Port Loko District Council on Saturday April 9, 2022, Hon. Bundu acknowledged how music and performing arts had been so important changing lives and societies, and therefore thought it fit that the academy should be established in that part of the country to transform and enrich the society and nurture its talented people.
Among the audience was Stephan Flore, a German music director; a representative from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education; Dr. Lavalie from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, and stakeholders of the district.
The launching was graced by the Five Star Brass band of the Academy and a few members of the Schlenker Secondary School Brass Band conducted by Stephan Flore, children of the Development Initiative Interim Care Home.
According to Hon. Bundu, since they had many people in the district that wanted to do music but lack the knowledge, he requested for the expansion of the academy to Port Loko District. “So I went to Ballanta and asked the management to help me extend the academy to Port Loko district. When one looks at the aim and objectives of Ballanta, it will be worthy if it could be established in every part of country. So, I can proudly say that I Honorable Ibrahim Bundu, am the first person to enable the academy to have its second address since it was established in 1995,” he said.
He said as a result of passion he had for music education, he was able to provide land space for the academy. “One of the challenges that usually limits investors from coming to the provinces is unavailability of land space. Fortunately, as my own initial contribution to Ballanta, I was able to provide a space for it to be established.”
“I welcome the Ballanta Academy of Music in Port Loko and Karene districts. I see a lot of enthusiasm in music. Yes, educating children in music and performing arts today, is one of the biggest valuable things in the world. Music provides self-employment. Music has no age limitation,” he said.
Honorable promised to keep the operation of the academy going, and pleaded to the residents of the districts to join him support the academy.
Hassan Lamar Bundu, an elder of the community, said that they were all happy to welcome the newly establishment of academy in the district. “I know the importance of music. Music doesn’t only promote people but the culture and the communities as well. So, I will do whatever to keep the academy growing. Being an aspiring chief, I will make sure that the schools, the Churches, the universities, and youths come to the academy,” he concluded.
Ms. Andrina Coker, who deputised the Chairman Dr. Julius Spencer, launched the expansion of the Academy to Port Loko District.
Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, co-founder of the academy, thanked Honorable Bundu for his commitment, residents of Port Loko for welcoming the academy, and Stephan Flore, Print Point for gracing the occassion. “Our centre still needs printer, photocopier, solar panels, chairs, tables etc. whosoever may want to offer anything, can come to the Academy,” Dr. Fadlu-Deen said.
By Ibrahim S.Bangura