Talking music art education in Winneba

The West African sub-region of the Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education (PASMAE) held its maiden regional conference at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana from December 7 to 9. The conference also doubled as a meeting of stakeholders which led to the formation of PASMAE West Africa.

Musical arts teachers from various educational institutions across West Africa, music students and enthusiasts participated in the conference themed ‘Musical Arts Education and Indigenous Knowledge Systems’. Representatives of the association from East and Southern Africa, representatives of UNESCO were also in attendance.

Vice President, PASMAE West Africa, Josephine Mokwunyei of the University of Benin, convened the meeting. It featured paper presentations and workshops on musical arts namely; music, dance, theatre, visual arts, costume and media, and also musical and theatrical performances on various sub-themes.

Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Tunde Babawale, chaired the opening ceremony. He spoke on the need to maintain African indigenous knowledge systems including its arts and culture.

Some notable African musicologists and scholars were recognised for their contributions to the musical arts and culture in West Africa and the world at the conference. Chief was foremost ethnomusicologist, founder and director of the International Centre for African Music Development at the University of Ghana, J.H. Kwabena Nketia, an emeritus professor.

Others included Africa’s first female professor of Musicology, Mosunmola Omibiyi-Obidike, Meki Nzewi of the Centre for Indigenous Instrumental Music and Dance of Africa at the University of Pretoria, South Africa and Babawale.

James Flolu, one of the founders of PASMAE, Charles B. Wilson, veteran music teacher and Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, were also honoured.

The conference which was supported and co-sponsored by CBAAC, witnessed the election of Josephine Mokwunyei as chair, West Africa PASMAE.

Mary Danzi emerged as the vice, Mereku Cosmos as secretary, Ifeoluwa Olorunsogo as finance officer and Austin Emielu as operations officer. The next general assembly is slated for 2012 and will hold in Nigeria.

Source:http://234next.com/