29 June 2024

On June 28th, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr had the honor of joining stakeholders in the art and culture industry, members of the diplomatic community, the Principal, Board of Directors, and students of the Ballanta Academy of Music & Performing Arts. As keynote speaker, she had the privilege of cutting the ribbon to mark the completion of the academy’s refurbishment, with funds from the World Bank. Established 29 years ago, the academy remains an outstanding center for music and arts education, the preservation and protection of the creative industry, and in providing Sierra Leoneans with a platform to grow their talents.

FCC congratulates the Board of Directors, Principal, and students for this transformation of the Academy, which represents a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s history of arts and culture.

As the owner of the building housing the academy on Liverpool Street, FCC is pleased to note that, despite the refurbishment, Ballanta Academy of Music & Performing Arts has preserved the original rooftop design of the structure, ensuring its cultural heritage. In addition to offering classical music, the academy has been providing people with valued qualifications.

In line with FCC’s 2024-2028 Transform Freetown Transforming Lives Development Plan, FCC will work to enhance the tourism, art and culture sector by adopting an inclusive approach to tackle Freetown’s challenges and create jobs. FCC will collaborate with all key players in the tourism industry, including the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Ballanta Academy, to further preserve, develop, and market Freetown’s heritage sites and related products, and develop and promote cultural heritage products and the creative arts.