First Music Therapy Symposium to be held in Accra

The Music Therapy Association of Ghana (MTAG) is set to hold the first music therapy symposium in Ghana, on November 30, at the British Council in Accra.

The event which would be held on the theme: “Understanding the power and use of music therapy in aiding national development,” would equip participants with the understanding of music therapy and how the clinical and evidence based use of music interventions could help accomplish individualised goals.

Mrs Mawuyrami Akoto Ocloo, Executive Director, MTAG in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the association aims at pioneering and developing the practice of music therapy in Ghana, raising awareness and education about music therapy, and advocating and training music therapists in Ghana, hence the symposium.

She said music therapists work on addressing individualised and group goals for clients based on their assessments and needs, in schools, community centres, hospitals, nursing homes, homes, rehabilitation centres and correctional centres.

“Music therapists utilise pitch, rhythm, melody, timbre and other elements of music instrumentally, vocally, and otherwise creatively, including evidence based clinical practices to help meet individual or group goals,” she said.

Mrs Ocloo added that some of the goals music therapists work on include, bonding between parents for premature infants, academic educational goals, and socialization.

Others are dealing with trauma, pain management and relaxation, and support in gait training for stroke clients, amongst others.

The symposium would attract guest speakers including, Cynthia Briggs, Director of the Music Therapy Programme and Professor of Music Therapy, Soo-Jin Kwoun, Associate Professor of Music Therapy, both of Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri, USA, amongst other renowned music therapists.

The programme would start at 1300 hours. and end at 1500 hours.