From 20th – 26th December, the Drumming Ghana Workshop event gave people the opportunity to learn some of the skills of African drumming.  The event was a collaboration of Tours & Arts Solutions, Apstar Tours, Gold Coast Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Diaspora African Community and the African Drums Orchestra.  

  This was an important event for December in Ghana, Beyond the Return activities because it aligns with two pillars in the Beyond the Return initiative.  These are the Experience Ghana and Celebrate Ghana pillars.  This event celebrates Ghana’s culture and traditions through music. 

William Agbeko Segbedzi is the CEO of Tours & Arts Solutions and he said that because Beyond the Return is a national agenda, it’s something that will stand the test of time and because it’s a 10-year initiative it was a good way for drumming Ghana to make their event a part of the project promoting Ghana.  Richard Kofi Koomson of Africa Telema Dance Ensemble, was teaching the classes.

The event is a collaborative effort of Tours & Arts Solutions, Apstar Tours, Gold Coast Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Diaspora African Community and the African Drums Orchestra.  The event is  endorsed by the ‘Beyond the Return’ Secretariat and is an important program on this year’s December in Ghana activities list because it represents two important pillars in the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative. These are, Experience Ghana and Celebrate Ghana.  It’s an opportunity to experience an event while also celebrating the culture and traditions of Ghana. “Beyond the Return is a national agenda that will stand the test of time. So we wanted Drumming Ghana to also stand the test of time.” said, William Agbeko Segbedzi, CEO of Tours & Arts Solutions.  Since the program is a 10-year initiative organizers felt this was a good way of making drumming exercises a part of the national agenda in promoting Ghana. 

When asked why this event was important to do, William Agbeko said, “The workshop has been decided on for three reasons, namely the renaissance of African traditional drum usage in modern times. Secondly, inciting corporate teamwork among participants and finally re-instilling drumming as a tool for message sending in international communication.”   Richard Kofi Koomson of Africa Telema Dance Ensemble, will be teaching the drumming to all the participants.

It’s going to be an exciting few days as those participating get the chance to learn from an experienced drummer.  They will be learning how to play a harmonious symphony of African drums in its raw form and also gain knowledge on four different Ghanaian drum rhymes riding on Jemgbe.   Those who want to attend the event as spectators are free, anyone who wants to participate in the drumming lessons must register for a fee of 150 cedis.  For more information about the event, please contact +233 243 322 558 or +233 579 133 770 or email ghanaarts2015@gmail.com