By Francis Kwabena Cofie
Accra, Sept. 3, GNA – Kwabenya Senior High School in Accra has been crowned winners of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) Uncle Ebo Whyte Students Drama Competition at a grand finale held at the National Theatre.
For their prize, they received a trophy, laptop, a certificate and a cash prize of GHc3,000.00.
St. John’s Grammar School emerged first runner up receiving a trophy, laptop, a certificate and a cash prize of GHc2,000.00; while Osu Presbyterian Senior High School came third and received a trophy, laptop and cash price of GHc1,000.00.
It was organized by the CNC in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service.
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, was held for Senior High Schools across the country, 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.
Mr Eric Ohene-Larbi, the Acting Director of the CNC, in an address commended the schools for their tireless efforts towards achieving the ultimate.
He said it was critical for stakeholders to 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 lauded 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 expertise of Uncle Ebo Whyte, the Playwright, the event would grow to become a national event.
Professor Awo Asiedu, the Dean of the School of Performing Arts, indicated that performing arts engendered creativity, built confidence and public speaking skills, among actors.
She said performing arts helped actors to build critical thinking, a skill needed throughout life, adding that researchers had said it was one of the creativity young people needed in this 21st century.
Prof Asiedu said culture was dynamic and there was the need for society to keep up with the 21st century and that the Ghana Education Service would soon incorporate performing arts in the Senior High School curriculum, which would be made examinable come next year.
She stated, “This is 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.”
Dr Fio Richardson Commey, the Deputy Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, applauded teachers from the participating schools for their dedication and tireless efforts towards the cause.
He said the arts had 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 to achieve the intended objectives.
GNA