Abibigromma, Police Band thrill guests at ILGS graduation

Abibigromma, a resident theatre group at the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, left guests asking for more with their energetic and spectacular dance performances at the 6^th Congregation of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS).

The group, who were beautifully adorned in their costumes, performed some traditional Ghanaian dances including Adowa, Kpanlogo and Bamaya at the event, which came off on Saturday, July 22 at the Accra campus of the Institute at Ogbojo.

Prior to the ceremony, the group began performing the adowa dance outside of the auditorium as they waited to lead the procession of the chairman, members of the Institute’s council and lecturers. This attracted some of the guests who drew closer to enjoy the performances.

The highest point was when they performed the Kpanlogo dance as an interlude to the event which drew loud applause from the guests.

In an interview with the Graphic Online after their performance, Jacob Bruce, Senior Drama and Dancer, said their primary focus was on researching into Ghanaian and African cultural activities to perform about them.

“Abibigromma’s mission is to research into and promote the Arts of Ghana and Africa. We seek to create and present, scripted and unscripted theatre, the unique socio-cultural music, plays and dance pieces inspired by the oral and written literature of Ghana and Africa, drawing from history, culture and tradition,” he said.

The Police Central Band in action

There was never a dull moment as the Police Central Band from the Police Depot at Tesano also churned out some Ghanaian patriotic songs which were befitting to the occasion and much to the admiration of the guests.

They played songs such as Yen ara asaase ni, Wo’nkoara, Oseeeye Ghana, Yeda Nyame ase, Mu’nsom, Nyansa and Efata wo.

“We make sure to sing the appropriate songs for every social event. For instance, for a government programme like this, we make sure to sing patriotic songs,” Chief Inspector Nicholas Agyenim Boateng told the Graphic Online in an interview.

A section of the graduands at the ceremoney

A total of 111 students graduated from the ILGS last Saturday.

The Students, comprising of 83 males and 28 females were awarded with Master of Science in Local Government Financial Management, Master of Science in Local Economic Development, Master of Science Environmental Science, Policy and Management and Master of Science in Local Government Administration and Organisation.

Dignitaries and graduands in a photograph after the ceremony

In attendance were Prof. Emeritus Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, Chairman of the ILGS Council, Prof. Nicholas Awortwi, Director of the Institute, Prof. Charles Marfo, who represented the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Honourable Daniel Botwe, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Honourable Frank Annoh Dompreh, Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri Constituency, Nii Torgbor Obodai II, Chief of Ogbojo, staff and students of the Institute.