Bangs-Blog

29/02/2024

Sierra Leone Film Council Holds First Film Industry Unification

By Ibrahim S. Bangura

Sierra Leone Film Council, on Saturday February 24, 2024, has held the first Film Industry Unification Night aimed at bringing together the filmmakers and the stakeholders of the industry so as to move the industry forward. It was themed: ‘Our Industry; Our Responsibility.’

It took place at White Stone Garage at the HL Pool in Waterloo in the Western Rural Area and was attended by representatives from the Film Council, Actors Guild, Producers Guild, Cinematographers Guild, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Information and Civic Education, etc. who all made pleasing statements at the event.

According to Director Aiah Momoh, the co-chair of Sierra Leone Film Council and coordinator of Freetown Film Festival, the event was also aimed at urging filmmakers and stakeholders to put their differences aside so as to speak with one voice and work together to make the industry every Sierra Leonean hopes to be proud of.

He emphasized that one of the major reasons why the industry had not been making any progress, was the apparent lack of unity among the filmmakers. “There will be no development if we are divided; we can’t put any structure if we are divided. Inasmuch as Sierra Leone Film Council wants to advance the industry, we said that we should be united. Filmmakers are putting a lot of money into filmmaking but they are not getting anything back. That is as a result of the lack of structure which is caused by the lack of unity. We used to sell many copies of our movies. We used to have a good turn out on our premiering days. Other countries used to come to Sierra Leone to collaborate with us filmmakers, but everything has been lost because of division in the industry. Let us come and bring those things back to life,” he said.

He went on further to say that disunity in the film industry had caused many filmmakers, including directors, actors, producers, etc. to give up on the profession. “Lack of unity had caused many filmmakers to go into another trade for which their talents were not called. From now on, let us stop fighting against one another in the industry. Let this era be an era of peace,” he pleaded.

Adriss B. Kamara popularly known as Director Demoh, said that many people used to support the industry but lack of unity caused them to suspend this support. “Many talents have died without realizing anything from their gifts and many have left the profession, all as a result of the lack of unity in the industry. So, bringing such an event is a good step for the country. Division in the industry has caused us the filmmakers and our industry not to progress. There has been no peace in the industry, since everyone wants to assume supremacy. We need to stop that and start to work as one for the benefit of the industry. Though our films are making waves in the international markets, yet the industry is still behind because of division. Let us work as one. That will greatly help us,” declared Kamara.

Mariam J. Kamara, one of the many actresses who attended the event, said that unifying filmmakers was the right step and the right direction for the film industry. “If we are to move forward, if our industry is to change for good, we need to embrace love. There is nothing we cannot achieve if we have love for one another. Love is the answer. Unifying all the guilds and the filmmakers is the answer to our struggles in the industry. Government nor dae watch we oo, so if we don’t come together and embrace one another, we are going nowhere. We need to see filmmakers and production houses coming together, thus making movies that will put Sierra Leone on the world map. Films that will get us to Grammy, films that will get us to BET as well as films that will win big and incredible awards for Sierra Leone. This is the right time. Let us embrace this unification, and let’s see how we can build the industry together,” she said confidently.

According to Emmanuel Turay, a representative of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the government used to find it very difficult to help the film industry due to the division among the filmmakers. “Today, one group of the filmmakers will present to us their problems and another day, another group of filmmakers will come to us with their own problems. That used to get us confused as to which of the groups we should help. Now that you have unified yourselves, it won’t be difficult for us to help the industry. Love is the answer,” Turay concluded.

28/02/2024

Check out King-B Official's video.

28/11/2023

Empire Arts Institute to Stage Drama, ‘Desire’
By Ibrahim S. Bangura

Empire Arts Institute (EAI) in collaboration with Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts (BAMPA), on December 9, 2023 at the Hotel Barmoi at 75C Cape Road in Aberdeen in Freetown, will stage a drama titled, ‘Desire’ to entertain, educate and showcase Sierra Leonean culture through arts.

‘Desire’, which is centered on themes of power, betrayal, war, love, education and Sierra Leonean culture, traditions and heritage, is about two kingdoms which fought for power, Mordagba and Golahun. Amidst the thirst for war, there is a deep desire for love.
The drama is produced by Yoko Mahiteh Reffell-Wyse Esq., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of (EAI), actress, barrister and solicitor, director.
It was written by Emmanuel Arthur Gbolie, a script expert in the Empire Arts Institute team. Earlier this year, on 28th April 2023, Empire Arts Institute staged the drama at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel which was jam-packed by enthusiastic and appreciative stakeholders, filmmakers, theatregoers among others.
Empire Arts Institution was established in 2018. It is an education based arts venture in Sierra Leone with a mission to create quality full scale art with a focus of training. The institution usually gives emphasis to training in theatre studies, musical theatre, including cultural music and dance, acting, painting, clothing and textile, graphic design and craft.
While Ballanta Academy, which is the first music school in Sierra Leone, has the vision to be a worldwide inspiration for the development and promotion of West African music and dance. The academy aims at providing first class classical and modern music tuition for the people of Sierra Leone and beyond. The academy offers courses in voice, guitar, piano, dance, keyboard, seven drum, etc. It is also offering dance classes, and will soon introduce a course in theatre.
The Ballanta Academy and the Empire Arts asks everyone to come to the event to help promote the arts industry of Sierra Leone. Hotel Barmoi aims to be a major player in this objective.

06/11/2023

ARMeD Victims SL in Collaboration with Ballanta Academy Holds Mental Health Symposium
By Ibrahim S. Bangura

Advocacy for the Rehabilitation of Mentally Disadvantaged Victims (ARMeD) in Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, on Tuesday October 31, 2023 has held its second Mental Health Symposium in line with the World Mental Health Day to raise awareness about mental health challenges.
The Symposium which was themed, ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’ was focused on the use of music as a therapeutic tool to mitigate mental health conditions in Sierra Leone.
The event was attended by the keynote speaker Dr. Abdulai Jalloh, Consultant Psychiatrist and Global Mental Health Expert Member, NDLEA Advisory Board, Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, the co-founder of Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Pastor Marrah Ngaiwa, the Executive Director Albinism Royal Foundation, and representatives from many other recognized institutions.

During the event at the Ballanta Academy’s Logie Wright Auditorium, there were various performances including music, poetry, short films and drama from youths aimed at presenting mental health challenges, its causes and means of mitigating the illness.
According to Lucy Cecilia Lamin, the Executive Director of ARMeD Victims, mental health is very crucial for everyone to learn about. She said that the illness is a leading cause of disability which could lead to severe emotional, behavioral and physical health problems if left untreated. She stated that the development of any community lies in the hands of people with healthy mental conditions.
Lucy advised people to seek professional therapists if they start to experience stress, depression, anxiety, etc. which she said were the common causes of mental health conditions. “Immediately seek a professional therapist if you start behaving abnormally. Mental health conditions can lead to trauma and they can also lead to behaviors that can cost people their lives,” she said.
ARMeD was founded in 2013 but gained its legal status as an independent community-based organization in 2020. According to Mohamed Bangalie, a member, the organization aims to promote mental health wellbeing among children and young people in Sierra Leone.
Bangalie said their programmes seek to represent, promote, advocate, and lobby service providers for the enhancement of the wellbeing and empowerment of persons with mental health challenges and other vulnerable groups.
According to him, though the organization has made a lot of achievements in the past years, they still need support to undertake more activities and expand their projects. He emphasized, “We don’t have adequate funding to undertake more activities and expand our projects. We don’t have unlimited livelihood opportunities for our members. The organization lacks a safe space for our members to get empowered before reintegration to communities. We are also limited to psychosocial support units to promote more rehabilitation services.”
Bangalie called for support from the government and other non-governmental organizations so as to enable the organization run its activities proficiently and successfully.
Dr. Jalloh explained that mental health is a universal human right which everyone must fully enjoy in Sierra Leone. “But lack of human resources including psychologists, medical social workers, among others in Sierra Leone, have limited people with mental health conditions to access effective services,” Dr. Jalloh said. He commended ARMeD Victims SL for their initiatives and for collaborating with Ballanta Academy. He said that music is one of the most important tools that can effectively mitigate mental health challenges in the communities. “In my stress mood, I always listen to music. It was a brilliant idea for ARMeD Victims to partner with Ballanta Academy,” he said.
Pastor Sarah Ngaiwa, Executive Director of the Albinism Royal Foundation gave an impassioned plea for people to understand the disadvantages which people with albinism face, and to empathise with them. Their mental health challenges are mainly caused by the general public who could be more sympathetic to their plight.
According to Dr. Fadlu-Deen, a mental health condition is something everyone lives with, but the condition is a question of balance in everyone’s life. “If we can strive to create a balance, we will be much better equipped to deal with stress which is one of the causes of mental health. I practice meditation to deal with stress, and I have also practiced yoga,” she said.
She explained that she met Lucy at Ballanta when she was a voice student there. She said in one of their meetings Lucy attended while they were discussing how they could reach out to many people with their services at Ballanta, Lucy came up with the idea of introducing music to the disadvantaged communities in Freetown. “That was a brilliant idea. We know that music is used as a therapy in many places consciously and unconsciously. Music is used to stir warriors; it is used to say goodbye to people when they are put down to earth to rest; music is used in weddings, etc. Music is therapy particularly for disadvantaged people, like WayOut does where they encourage many young people to produce their own music and they succeed,” she explained.
Dr. Fadlu-Deen commended ARMeD Victims SL for their initiative to use music as a therapeutic tool to mitigate mental health conditions in Sierra Leone.
The symposium called for the health community to focus on mental health and channel funds and resources to organisations such as ARMeD to reach the hundreds of young people who can be shown the way to better health and thus contribute to national development.

02/11/2023

30/10/2023

Sierra Leone Pays Tribute to PC Komrabai Peter Penfold
By Ibrahim S. Bangura

In honouring not only his immense contributions to Sierra Leone’s attempts to embrace democracy but also achieving stability and lasting peace, Sierra Leoneans have paid tributes to the late PC Komrabai Peter Penfold, who was the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone from March 1997 to April 2000.
The deceased, who died of cancer on Sunday October 1, 2023 at the age of 79, was a retired diplomat, fervent champion of people with disabilities, patron of the Dorothy Springer Trust, board member of Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, amongst other illustrious positions.
The memorial service which took place on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Saint Augustine’s Church at Hill Station in Freetown, was attended by the late PC’s wife Mrs. Celia Penfold and brother, Mr. Ron Penfold. Other dignitaries included the British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Lisa Chesney, the Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, the Presidential Spokesman, the Milton Margai School for the Blind, other government representatives, etc.
The late PC’s ashes were buried in the Church Compound where a tree was planted in his memory over his ashes which were turned into the soil by Celia, his wife, his brother and Alhaji Hussein Jawad a close friend. The Boys Brigade of which he was a patron, formed the guard of honour.
Song contributions were made by the Milton Margai School for the Blind who performed, ‘Wi de tɛl yu tɛnki’, a song which they composed in recognition of the late Peter Penfold’s contributions to their lives as Persons with Disabilities, and ‘My West African Home’, a song written and composed by the late paramount chief, with the main aim of preaching unity among different ethnic groups in Sierra Leone. Music contributions were also made by Ballanta Academy team together with the Wells Cathedral School team from the UK.
In the booklet of tributes, Dr. Julius Spencer stated that late P.C.Penfold’s commitment to Sierra Leone was deep and abiding and he found a number of ways to contribute, including investing in rice farming, processing, among others.
He said that he first met the late Peter Penfold in July 1997 at late President Kabbah’s residence in Conakry when he was ousted out of power by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). “I really got to know Peter after President Kabbah was restored to power and I became a government minister. I found him to be a jovial and very likeable character who also did not have the usual snobbish attitude of a British Diplomat. He mixed well with Sierra Leoneans and so developed a good understanding of the situation in the country. His understanding of Sierra Leone and Sierra Leoneans contributed immensely to Britain providing the kind of support it did to the country in those turbulent days and helped Sierra Leone achieved peace….. In fact, if not for his support and a strategy we developed together, Radio Democracy 98.1 FM would not exist today,” Dr. Spencer narrated.
Dr. Spencer said that even though late Penfold knew that he didn’t have much longer to live, he still found something to do for Sierra Leone.
He said late Penfold visited in December and performed at the Ballanta Academy’s Christmas Concert, a performance which was quite poignant for those of them who knew he didn’t have much longer to live. Dr. Spencer said that they in Sierra Leone, Peter’s West African home, owed a debt of gratitude to Penfold for the relative peace Sierra Leone is now enjoying and the sacrifices he made for this country. “He will always be fondly remembered by those of us who knew him. To Celia and the rest of the family, I say take heart for his was a life well lived,” said Dr. Spencer.
According to Dr. Sama Banya, a former Sierra Leone Foreign Minister and a friend, late Penfold was crowned an honorary Paramount Chief Komrabai in Sierra Leone because “he had so endeared himself to the people and country”.
He said that his time of arrival in Sierra Leone was not a coincidence but a God incidence. “Penfold was to take centre stage in the events following the overthrow of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah the democratically elected government of the country, until democracy was restored with the overthrow of the military junta. His memory and affection for our country will continue to live in our hearts. May his gentle soul continue to Rest In Peace and Light Perpetual shine on him,” he said.

30/10/2023

Ballanta Academy Celebrates its 28th Anniversary
By Ibrahim S. Bangura

The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts at 27 Liverpool Street in Freetown, on Friday October 27, 2023, at the Logie Wright auditorium at the Academy, has celebrated its 28th years’ birthday to honor its past founders and make merry of its achievements so far in the history of creative arts in Sierra Leone.
This year’s celebration which was staged in the form of a concert, was graced by a team of 19 members from the Wells Cathedral School from the UK, who sang and played instruments including a bassoon and an electric double bass. Others taking part included Model Brass Band Drum Line, (one of the popular School Brass Bands in Freetown), Stephan Flore, a German Music Expert, who directed the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Band, the Groovy Colours Band, (a premier band at the academy), Ballanta African Ballet, Music and Music Entertainment etc.
The celebration attracted many participants, including music lovers, music makers, among others. There were jazz, classical, and cultural musical performances. In the audience were staff from the Mercy Ship who found time to relax and enjoy music in the Logie Wright auditorium.

According to Lovelace Love-Harding, the Ag. Principal of the Academy, it has been a custom for them to celebrate the academy every October since it was founded in October 1995. “Every institution needs to commemorate their founders’ day. So, during these celebrations, we show our unwavering appreciation to our lost members as well as offer prayers for them for establishing the academy which is a great sign of love for their country,” he said.
Lovelace said that the academy over the years has not only promoted Sierra Leonean culture and heritage across the globe through creative arts, but has also nurtured talents who have become professional acts thus representing Sierra Leone on the national and international platforms. “The likes of Drizilik, a renowned local popular rapper, Rozzy, a renowned sensational singer, amongst others, were all nurtured at Ballanta Academy of Music.”
The Ag. Principal thanked everyone for making the anniversary celebration a successful one.

Reacting to the anniversary concert, Elizabeth Brumley, a music lover from the United States of America, said that she was very thrilled to attend the event, adding that she was not only entertained but was well educated by the different acts. “It was so amazing to see how we were gladly interacting with one another. Indeed, music brings people of different cultures together. It was such a wonderful moment for me to hear music from Jazz, classical and other genres. It was so beautiful. Ballanta is indeed not only the home of music education but is also a home of entertainment. The academy is such a help to the community giving inspiration to people to access music. I encourage government and other humanitarian organizations to pay great attention to Ballanta for it is a blessing to this country,” remarked Brumley.
According to Flore, he was honored to celebrate the academy’s birthday with other acts from other parts of the world.
He said that Ballanta being the only centre for music education in Sierra Leone, should get strong government support together with other stakeholders to improve its standards, for that would create more development for Sierra Leone.
Flore added that he was very impressed by the academy’s new principal’s creative abilities. He emphasized, “Lovelace is such a creative man who is really doing great for the academy. I have not known him for a very long time, but from these few interactions I have had with him, I am impressed by his organizational, administration, etc. skills. I commend the board, the staff and the students of Ballanta for making the academy a great home of music education.”
Ballanta Academy of Music which was the first music school in Sierra Leone, has the vision to be a worldwide inspiration for the development and promotion of West African music and dance.
It is aiming at providing first class classical and modern music tuition for the people of Sierra Leone and beyond.
The academy offers courses in voice, guitar, piano, dance, keyboard, seven drum, etc. It is also offering music classes towards the WASSCE as well as dance classes, and will soon introduce a course in theatre.

30/10/2023

Ballanta Academy Empowers Children on Creative Arts

By Ibrahim S. Bangura

Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, on Saturday October 21, 2023 at the Logie Wright Auditorium at the academy, has concluded a two-day workshop on creative arts with pupils from various schools in Freetown. The aim of the workshop was to inspire children to embrace arts as part of their normal life.
The two-day workshop was part of a project, ‘Remembering our Legends’, a project undertaken by the Academy and sponsored by the African Caribbean Pacific Parliament Arts and the European Union (ACP-EU) Cultural Fund for West Africa to recognize and honour past and present legends of the arts industry of Sierra Leone. It was facilitated by Jaiah Kemokai the coordinator.
The project will eventually establish Halls of Fame in a couple of prominent places, produce books and videos about the legends, and sensitise the whole nation about the value of its arts.
The project which was officially unveiled on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, was also aimed at preparing the present generation to become the future legends, and promote Sierra Leonean culture and heritage by giving it the dignity it deserves.
To grace the workshop, were some of Sierra Leone’s Living Legends of the Arts, including Jimmy Bangura popularly known as Jimmy B, the god-father of Sierra Leone Music , Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, the co-founder of Ballanta, Dr. Julius Spencer, the Chairman of the academy and CEO of Premier Media, among others.
On the first day of the workshop on Friday October 20, 2023, the participants were taught how to sketch using materials provided, and were told about the importance of creative art and the excitement of being an artist. They were also taught about how to write good and compelling stories as authors in the session on creative writing. This session was conducted by Brian James.
According to one of the facilitators Hawa Jane Bangura, children as the future of any nation, need to get experience and knowledge about creative arts. “That is why we are working with children to enable them to think creatively and create something out of nothing. It is very important for us to think creatively outside the box, and that’s what we have been teaching the children to do. Creative arts have made the world a better place for us today. Phones, cloths, etc. that we are using today are all created by persons with high creative energy and spirits. So we are happy to be working with the children to prepare them for the future,” she said.
On the last day of the workshop, the participants were taught about acting by Elvira Monica Bobson-Kamara, and becoming a professional musician by renowned musician Jimmy B.
Addressing the participants, Jimmy B. encouraged them not to neglect the creative arts, for he has been successful as a result of the creative arts. “My parents never wanted me to become a musician when I started my career at a very young age. I had a lot of challenges before I became the Jimmy B. you all know today. You should not give up; work hard, and one day you shall become successful. I encourage you all to embrace arts; it is very important. I thank Ballanta Academy for their immense contributions to the creative industry of Sierra Leone,” Jimmy B. said.
On behalf of the participants, Komba M. Ngauja, a JSS3 pupil of the Government Technical School thanked Ballanta and the facilitators for giving them the opportunity to know the importance of the creative arts and being an artist.
She said that she never wanted to become an artist, but the workshop inspired her to warmly welcome art as a career. “I had no knowledge about the importance of creative arts, but since I am fully aware of its greatness now through this workshop, I will waste no time anymore to embrace it,” Ngauja explained.

28/04/2023

The home of art is inviting you to be part of this forthcoming-history-making-fundraising event. Your presence alone is a sign of love for the art together with your nation... so, come let's promote not only art but our culture and heritage.

20/03/2023

Ballanta Academy Unveils Project, ‘Remembering Our Legends’

By Ibrahim S. Bangura and Abdul Mansaray

The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, has on Wednesday March 8, 2023 at their Logie Wright Auditorium unveiled a project titled, ‘Remembering Our Legends’ to recognize and honour the present and the past legends of the arts industry in Sierra Leone.

The project, which was undertaken by the Academy and sponsored by the African Caribbean Pacific Parliament Arts and the European Union (ACP-EU) Cultural Fund for West Africa, was also aimed at preparing this generation to become the future legends, therefore promoting Sierra Leonean culture and heritage by giving it the dignity it deserves.
The project will involve the whole country and eventually establish Halls of Fame in a couple of prominent places, produce books and videos about the legends, and sensitise the whole nation about the value of its arts.
During the event, some of the late female legends in the arts industry of Sierra Leone, including Fatima Haffner aka Fatie Haffner, co-founder, Proprietress, Actress, Dancer, Choreographer of Freetong Players and Tangains Festival in Sierra Leone, who lived from 1955 to 2012; Miranda Olayinka Burney-Nicol, a professional storyteller of African tales, singer and dancer, etc. who lived from 1927 to 1996, and Isata Nyambe, a famous Sierra Leone’s musician who also lived from 1933 to 1994 were all celebrated. There was a short performance on the shegureh by Esther Kpange.

According to Jaiah Kemokai, the project coordinator, the project was aimed at encouraging the present generation to inspire to be nationally recognized and find paths to self-reliance and innovation in the Arts by emphasizing the achievements of the past musicians, theatre artists, composers, playwrights, poets and others whose works have not been sufficiently acclaimed nationally. He emphasized, “The project is to equip the present and the future generations with a mindset that will enable them to see the performing and creative arts as viable paths to full and part-time careers. To make this project successful and achieve its vision, we intend to organize lectures, workshops, establish online and visual communications, collaborate with musicians, artists, schools, tertiary education, etc.”

Officially launching the project, Dr. Julius Spencer, the chairman of the academy said that he was very pleased to see a large number of young people at the event.

He said the project is intended to popularize the works of those who have made significant contributions to the arts in Sierra Leone. “Some of these people and their works have not been known, so this project will enable them to be known, thus motivating the present and the future generations. By this means, some of us have made a living out of the performing arts. Since arts should be a concern to this country, this project will highlight the need to motivate people with creative abilities so that they can make a living out of their creativity and therefore open up the space for the creative industry in Sierra Leone. Arts build one’s communication skills, confidence and can generate income for the individuals and for the nation. There is a need to support it.”
Monica Bobson-Kamara a prominent woman in the arts industry, in her keynote address said that, remembering would inspire the artists to keep their crafts going seriously.

She said that many women have contributed immensely in developing the arts industry of Sierra Leone despite their challenges. “Despite the challenges some of the women used to encounter, there are a lot of successful stories today. Those women consciously stepped out of their comfort zones, paid attention to their works, managed their time, ignored all the challenges and took the venture into the creative world. We are celebrating many of them today,” she concluded.

In her concluding remarks, Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, the project supervisor, asked her audience to advocate for the arts, to fall in love with and be proud of their heritage, and to join hands with the team, to make this project a success. She asked them to put the musicians and film actors of Nigeria, America and others to second place, and champion the works of indigenous Sierra Leoneans. This is the legacy the project wants to leave behind for them to carry on. ‘Sierra Leonean arts matter’, she reiterated.

02/03/2023

Ballanta Academy Holds International Music Evening
By Ibrahim S. Bangura

The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts, on Saturday February 25, 2023 at the Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown has held an ‘International Music Evening’ to foster unity, promote music and culture among nations through arts.
The Evening was also aimed at networking people and creating the platform for artists to showcase their talents.

During the evening, there were performances from many countries including India, with a performance of Punjabi Bhangra, a type of traditional folk dance of India’s famous state. There were songs and dances from the Lebanon, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Gambia. The Academy presented performances from the Groovy Colours of Ballanta under the direction of David S. Koroma, and the Ballanta African Ballet (with dancers from Kroo Bay) under the direction of Abdul Bunduka, and invited the Government Model School Percussion Band who thrilled the audience with their mesmerizing drumline under the direction of Kenneth Williams.
Entertaining and enlightening an audience of over hundreds during the evening through singing and dancing, a lot of reactions were made by the audience as to how the evening made them feel.

Williams J. Lahai reacting to the evening said that whenever there was a performer on the stage, he had different feeling. “Music is a healer of any broken soul. I was connected with every performance, mostly the Indian kids who did dancing. Whenever I see every man and every woman perform on the stage, I feel so much powerful within myself. I entirely enjoyed the evening, and I was happy that I attended it.”

He said that he wished that the academy would continue holding such an enjoyable event. According to Lahai, if the academy is supported to grow from its current position and gets more facilities, it will help develop not only its students but also the entertainment industry of Sierra Leone. “Ballanta Academy is giving confidence to young people to not only believe in themselves; musicians also believe that art is a way of life. So the academy needs support,” he said.

Jeffrey B. Benzin, a Malaysian, who performed along with his Indonesian wife, said that the International Music Evening being an event wherein individuals usually represent their countries, he performed with his wife not only to represent their countries but to also share their culture and learn from others’ cultures. He said, “This kind of event will open people’s eyes about the different cultures and create unity as well. There is a multi-culture here, and everyone is learning from it through music. Music is a universal language. Music has no language barrier, which is good for even the children. So it is good if the academy is developed from its current position. Supporting the Ballanta Academy to grow from this stage will be very important. I’m appealing that government together with companies support Ballanta in whatever ways they could so that the academy continues promoting music education in Sierra Leone and beyond.”

The management of Ballanta thanked sponsors Brussels Airlines, Print Point, Bintumani Hotel, P*e Cee & Sons, Union Trust Bank and Moore for their immense contributions towards the development of the academy.The management said, " We also thanked and appreciated the food donors, Alex’s Beach Bar, Atlantic Lumley Hotel, Brussels Airlines, Casino Leone, Country Lodge Hotel, Crown Bakery, Dr. Adonis Abboud, Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, Family Kingdom, Home Suites Hotel, Lagoonda, Ms. Krishna Anil Bhudiya, St. Mary’s Supermarket, Swiss Hotel, T. Choithram & Sons Ltd."

Ballanta Academy is the central institute for music in Sierra Leone which offers different courses in music: music theory, practical, voice, dance, instruments like the guitar, flute, piano, organ, music composition etc. The academy is aimed at improving and developing music across Sierra Leone, and West Africa as a whole.

While it has a mission to exist and provide a centre for music education and entertainment of indigenous and international content through practice training and research to the people in Sierra Leone, thereby, providing a platform for nurturing talents to be internationally recognized. The academy has recently started offering music classes for WASSCE, and will soon start to offer classes on theatre.