The Executive Director of The Agape National Academy of Music (ANAM) Mr. Samson Tarpeh says there is a need for government to put music back in high schools to help children learn music.Speaking this week at the climax of a two – day training, Mr. Tarpeh says there are children who have interest in music and need to learn it while down the line in high school.
He says if the youth must be productive in the country, the government needs to open doors for children to lead different things in education.He expresses frustration that the music department at the Ministry of Education has been allegedly closed for some time and nothing is being done about it.
According to him, the Agape National Academy of Music is a school that has put out many students and they are doing well in churches and schools.Mr. Tarpeh expresses hope to take the school around Liberia soon, adding that ANAM was established in 2008 with 19 students and two teachers.
It later grew to 100 students and 7 teachers by 2012, and it has helped more than 100 Liberian children access music and other arts-related programs, according to Tarpeh.He says he graduated more than 50 students who are now assisting in the music programs of churches, schools, and community groups in Liberia.
Mr. Tarpeh indicates that ANAM brings healing, hope, education, and spiritual development to the children of Liberia, many of whom are survivors of the civil war. Through choral performances, instrumental classes, and practice, Mr. Tarpeh notes that the children of ANAM lead public awareness and cultural appreciation for the arts in their local communities.
On a personal level, he says the children of ANAM benefit in a variety of ways, reading, language development, mathematics, critical thinking, social skills, and an increased motivation to learn.He adds that ANAM provides training in church worship and arts leadership, developing leaders and evangelists who would serve in the music and worship programs of local churches in Liberia.
In 2014 the Ebola Outbreak forced the closure of ANAM. Through generous donations and gifts from supporters, ANAM reopened in January of 2016 and students are now enrolling at the institution.
By Sally Gaye–Edited by Winston W. Parley
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