Internationally acclaimed singer and song writer, Stephanie Benson, who recently announced her desire to start a school of performing arts in Ghana, has entered into a partnership with the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) to that effect.

The partnership, which is geared towards promoting the creative industry in Ghana, will see both parties mutually cooperate to develop training and commercial facilities for music recording and for the performing arts.

According to Stephanie Benson, this move is purely motivated by her desire to help music talents in the country. It is her aim to use this platform to develop the musical talents of a significant number of Ghanaians.

Professor Abraham, the Rector of NAFTI, says the partnership is mutually beneficial. As part of the strategic development of NAFTI into a Media Arts University, the Institute had a Department of Performing Arts and a Department of Music and Sound Recording on the drawing table. The partnership provides critical resources to fast-track the new department, Professor Abraham added. NAFTI has just introduced two new departments, Broadcast Journalism and Multimedia Production.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed, on Friday, May 11, 2012, to signal the start of the partnership, with Stephanie Benson, the Director of Benson Music and Production Company (BMPC), signing on behalf of her company and Prof. Abraham, signing on behalf of NAFTI.

The purpose and scope of the agreement includes both parties collaborating to develop a sound and music recording production and commercial facility for training music and recording artists. BMPC and NAFTI will also collaborate to develop a performing arts facility to train theatre, film and television artistes in Ghana. Finally, BMPC and NAFTI have agreed to collaborate to improve existing film and television facilities at NAFTI.

Details of the partnership, which will work on the lines of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement, are to be worked out, and the agreement will be subject to the approval of the governing councils of both partners before the project takes off.

Prior to the signing of the partnership agreement, Stephanie Benson, on behalf of BMPC donated equipment to NAFTI valued at about $30,000, as a gesture of the seriousness of its intention. Stephanie Benson will also serve as an official representative to raise funds for NAFTI on behalf of the project.

Stephanie Benson is a Ghanaian musician of international acclaim. She is based in the United Kingdom and has performed at many international and private events, including events for United Kingdom Royal family. His Royal Highness Prince Charles once described her as the most amazing performer he has ever seen.

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