Kwabenya SHS Wins CNC Ebo Whyte Student Drama Competition
Kwabenya Senior High School(SHS) located at Kwabenya in Accra have emerged winners of the Centre for National Culture( CNC) Uncle Ebo Whyte Student’s Drama Competition at a grand finale ceremony held at the National Theatre in Accra.
For their prize, they received a trophy, laptop, a certificate and a cash prize of Three Thousand Ghana Cedis.
St. John’s Grammar School emerged first runner- up receiving a trophy, laptop, a certificate and a cash prize of Two Thousand Ghana Cedis.
Emerging third was Osu Presbyterian Senior High School who also received a trophy, laptop and a cash prize of One Thousand Ghana cedis.
It was organized by the CNC in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service(GES).
The theme for the competition was Staging Our Heritage: “ Showcasing Traditional Ghanaian Stories and Legends Through Theatre”.
The CNC Uncle Ebo Whyte Students Drama Competition, the first ever, was held for Senior High Schools across the country who were grouped into five zones.
Contesting as finalists were the five schools who emerged winners in the five zones of the competition with a sixth school, Accra Academy as the guest performing school.
In an address, the Acting Director for the CNC, Mr. Eric Ohene- Larbi commended the participating schools for their tireless efforts towards achieving the ultimate.
He said it was critical stakeholders bring Ghanaian stories to life on stage and embrace the opportunity to stage our heritage and share the beauty of Ghanaian culture with the world.
He commended Roverman production for the sponsorship of the event which has been the backbone of the programme, adding that it is an investment in the future of arts, culture and education in the country.
He expressed the hope that, under the direction and expertees of Uncle Ebo Whyte, the Playwright, the event would grow to become a national event.
In a speech, the Dean of the school of Performing Arts, Professor Awo Asiedu indicated that performing arts engenders creativity, builds confidence and public speaking skills among actors.
She said performing arts helps actors build critical thinking which is skill needed throughout life.
Researchers and experts, she mentioned, have said one of the skills that young people would need in this 21st century was creativity.
According to her, culture was dynamic and there was the need for society to keep up with the 21st century.
She disclosed that the GES would soon incorporate Performing Arts in the SHS curriculum which would be made examinable come next year.
She stated “ this was appropriate not only because it would give the students a fair idea of the performing arts when they get to the university but also because the arts have a way of building aspects of life skills needed in everyday life”.
The Deputy Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, Dr. Fio Richardson Commey applauded teachers from the participating schools for their dedication and tireless efforts towards this cause.
He said the arts has a positive impact on all students and urged participants to be good ambassadors of the campaign to revive arts in the schools by sharing the message to other students.
He urged the GES and Ministry of Education to uphold and implement the policy on the Performing Arts to enable it achieve the intended objectives.
*Source: Kwabena Cofie*
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