Achimota School marked a significant milestone with the 60th edition of its Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
The event, held to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, brought together a large audience to honor this long-standing tradition, first organized in Ghana by Achimota School in 1964.
Guest of Honour, Akora Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee was acknowledged as a member of the choir who performed on the inaugural edition of the festival. She commended the efforts of the choir and music masters in bringing out such exceptional talents especially within the period of just three years. Giving a brief background of the festival, she pointed out that the pioneer of the festival in Ghana was the music teacher of the school at the time, the late Mr. Ian Hall, who brought the tradition from the Church of England to Achimota School. Akora Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee emphasized that the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols must propagate the history of mankind right from the fall of man to the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ. “The lasting legacy of what we started here in Achimota School is that it has become what all churches do. What the Nine Lessons and Carols requires is that you stick strictly to the Nine lessons and a few Carols. It is supposed to be a sacred moment where the story of man’s relationship with God from the fall of Man until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Savior – The story of the Fall and God’s Redemption.” she intimated.
The night stood out as a testament of Achimota School’s pioneering role in setting the pace and making an exemplary impact in Ghanaian society.
President of the Old Achimotan Association, Akora Joel Nettey in an interview with happyghana.com said that Achimota School paved the way for all other institutions to also establish such a period in their yearly activities. He, however, believed that there is a distinction between the festival held in Achimota School and all others. “The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first started in Ghana by Achimota School and now everyone here in Ghana in this part of the year, is organizing a variation of what we started but we’ve kept the true form of it by actually having nine specific lessons interspersed with carols and that’s what we witnessed tonight.”
Attendees enjoyed an evening of harmonious choral performances, led by the school’s renowned Aggrey Chapel Choir and complemented by some of Ghana’s finest choirs.
The program was structured around nine lessons, each followed by stirring choral performances.
The evening began with a warm reception as patrons were ushered into the chapel. The First Lesson was read by the Girls’ Senior Prefect, Nelly-Ann Koranteng, followed by a performance from the Achimota School Staff Choir. The Second Lesson, delivered by the Boys’ Senior Prefect, Joel L. Djabanor, paired with a choral offering by the Akora Chorale.
The Third Lesson, recited by Senior Housemistress, Ms. Joyce Osafo-Takyi, led into a performance by the Greater Accra Mass Choir. The Fourth Lesson, read by Senior Housemaster, Mr. Emmanuel Hanson, was followed by music from the Afro Maestro Orchestra.
As the night progressed, the Fifth Lesson, read by School Accountant, Mr. Kwame Sarfo, introduced the melodious Lumina Voices. The Sixth Lesson, delivered by Assistant Head Domestic, Ms. Lydia Bantey, saw a captivating performance from the Gramophone Chorus.
The Seventh Lesson, read by Assistant Head Academic, Mr. Joseph Abusah, paved the way for another stirring choral piece by the Aggrey Chapel Choir. The Eighth Lesson, delivered by Assistant Head Admin., Rev. Fr. Dr. George O. Appah, featured a special performance by the Greater Accra Mass Choir. Finally, the Ninth Lesson, read by Headmaster, Mr. Ebenezer Graham Acquaah, brought the readings to a close. The headmaster of the prestigious school engaged by happyghana.com, acknowledged all efforts of all individuals, particularly the choir, who collectively came together to make the gathering a successful one. “The choir master and music master have done so well teaching these students and preparing them for such an event, most of them today were first years; the seniors are on vacation. All together we have achieved all that we wanted to do and that’s good.” he intimated.
One of the evening’s standout moments was the powerful rendition of “O Holy Night” by the Aggrey Chapel Choir. A special feature of the night was a performance by five-year-old Papa Kwabena Boafo Jr., whose baritone voice and melodious harmonies won the hearts of many patrons.
The 60th Anniversary of Achimota School’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was proudly counted as part of the celebrations in the build up to a grand celebration of Achimota School’s Centenary by Vice President of the Achimota Old Students Association, doubling as the Chairman of the Achimota at 100 Planning Committee, Akora Harold Esseku. He said, “We are working towards Achimota at 100 in the year 2027 and in the buildup there are many things that we have planned out before we get to 2027 itself where we are going to have the grand commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the first co-educational school in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
The 60th Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was a night to remember, ending as an eclectic celebration of music, tradition, and faith, befitting Achimota School’s legacy.
By: Kobina Baidoo
