The normal sounds of the schoolyard gave way for rhythms of Ghana at Whitsunday Christian College last week.

A mix of singing, dancing and of course, drumming, Ghana Beat My Drum tutored by Ghanaian Musician, Jonas Tandoh, teaches students about traditional African music.

Jonas Tandoh also taught the kids how to speak local Ghanaian languages including Ga, Twi, Nzema anad Effuttu.

With their newly acquired skills, the students took part in traditional call and response songs.

The kids were given the chance to try their hands at some of the interesting instruments on show.The shekere/axatse was popular among the students.

The 'Shekere'  is an instrument from West Africa consisting of a dried gourd with beads woven into a net covering the gourd. Throughout the continent there are similar gourd/bead or gourd/seed percussion instruments. in Ghana, the shekere is referred to as the axatse.

The kids had a blast shaking, drumming and dancing while Jonas gave them an insight into the culture across the other side of the world.

Aside the music, Jonas, briefly educates the children about Ghana and his childhood in the West African nation .

Jonas Tandoh was born in Ghana and has been a full time musician since the age of seventeen. He has played in numerous bands both here and overseas. As a founding member of the group Kalabash, Jonas toured widely supporting bands such as Osibisa and Ziggy Marley. Jonas is also a composer of many recorded songs and has been touring into schools for over twenty years.

by: Farida Mohammed/ghanaguardian.com