Legon Boundary, Accra, Ghana

P.O. Box LG 25, Legon, Accra, Ghana, West Africa

Undergraduate program

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Music. Studies include performance (classical, traditional instruments), instrumental conducting, African and Western music history, music of West and Central Africa, Ghanaian popular music, ethnomusicology, harmony and counterpoint, composition.

Graduate programs

Master of Arts. In ethnomusicology, organology. Master of Philosophy. In performance, theory/composition, ethnomusicology, music technology. Doctor of Philosophy.

Other programs

Diploma in General Music. Two years. Courses on music in Africa with some emphasis on Ghanaian popular music, music in Africal and world cultures, Ghanaian percussion, digital recording.

The University was founded in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast. The School of Performing Arts forms part of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ghana. It has departments of music, theatre arts and dance studies. Due to a policy of mutual co-operation, students may take courses in more than one department. There is an Institute of African Studies, and all students are required to take a program in African Studies before being awarded their degree. An introductory music program is offered to students to prepare them for university studies. Language of instruction is English. A resident music, dance and drama professional group (the ‘Abibigromma’) serves as a laboratory-cum-workshop for experimentation with integration of the arts in new productions. The school holds a valuable collection of African musical instruments and materials. The School of Performing Arts is the headquarters of the International Centre for African Music and Dance. It acts as a clearing house for information on events, artists, scholars and institutions concerned with the study and promotion of African music and dance.

October 2021