By Ibrahim S. Bangura
The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts (BAMPA), Sierra Leone’s premier institution for music and cultural education, will commemorate its 30th Anniversary on Saturday, October 25, 2025, with a grand Thanksgiving Service at the Buxton Memorial Methodist Church on Charles Street, Freetown. The event will honor three decades of nurturing artistic talent and promoting music education across Sierra Leone and beyond.
Held under the theme “Great is Thy Faithfulness – 30 Years of Grace and Glory”, inspired by Lamentations 3:23, the celebration will serve as a moment of reflection, gratitude, and renewal for the academy. It will spotlight BAMPA’s journey since its founding in 1995, its contributions to the performing arts, and its resilience through changing times.
The Thanksgiving Service will feature a rich lineup of performances showcasing the academy’s musical diversity and creative excellence. A special highlight will be a guest performance by the renowned Wells Cathedral School from the United Kingdom, underscoring BAMPA’s growing international partnerships and commitment to cultural exchange.
Principal of BAMPA, Mrs. Elvira Bobson-Kamara, expressed heartfelt appreciation to God, staff, students, and partners for their unwavering support throughout the academy’s 30-year journey. “Ballanta has become a household name in Sierra Leone because of the dedication of our teachers, the passion of our students, and the enduring love for music that binds us together,” she said.
Mrs. Bobson-Kamara also reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to advancing music and performing arts education, describing the anniversary as both a milestone and a springboard for future innovation. “We are thankful to God for sustaining this vision for decades. This celebration is a testament to our perseverance and impact,” she added.
Located at 27 Liverpool Street, Freetown, BAMPA has long served as a hub for talent development, offering instruction in piano, guitar, flute, violin, trumpet, and voice training. Over the years, it has produced musicians who now serve as performers, educators, and cultural ambassadors, including celebrated artists like Drizilik and Rozay.
In November 2024, BAMPA achieved a major milestone by receiving formal accreditation from the National Council for Technical, Vocational, and Other Academic Awards (NCTVA). This recognition empowers the academy to award nationally and internationally recognized certificates, further solidifying its role in cultural and artistic development.
Traditionally focused on music, BAMPA’s academic offerings have included qualifications from prestigious UK bodies such as the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and the Music Teachers Board (MTB). With its new accreditation, the academy is expanding into Dance, Theatre Arts, and Filmmaking.
Beyond academics, BAMPA plays a vibrant role in Sierra Leone’s arts scene through concerts, festivals, and competitions that foster public appreciation for the performing arts. The academy blends indigenous and international music traditions, equipping students with practical skills and preparing them for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the arts.
As it celebrates 30 years of grace and glory, BAMPA continues to stand as a beacon of cultural preservation, creative expression, and artistic excellence in Sierra Leone.