By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, May 15, GNA – The 2026 Students Drama Festival (StuDraFest), a Senior High School drama competition, has been launched in Accra with a call on students to take advantage of the platform to develop their creativity and future careers.
Organised by the National Commission on Culture, in partnership with the National Theatre, Ghana Education Service and the Pan African Writers Association, the festival to nurture young talents and promote the Ghanaian culture.
Mr Wakefield Ackuaku, the Executive Director, National Commission on Culture, said during the launch that the Commission’s mandate was to preserve, promote and develop the culture of the country.
The best way to build a generation, he said, was to engage the youth early and expose them to cultural values and creative expression.
“This year’s competition will be an historic opportunity… students participating in this edition will be remembered as part of the festival’s growth story,” he said.
Dr Ackuaku urged ontestants to allow their teachers to guide them and use the platform to work together, appreciate one another’s talents and build lasting partnerships.
He noted that not every participant would become an actor or actress, but the experience would instil discipline, teamwork and commitment useful in many professions.
He encouraged students to work hard towards the grand finale scheduled for October and announced that manuscripts produced by participants would be unveiled in February 2027.
“This is a great opportunity,” he said.
Mr Henry Herbert Malm, Acting Executive Director, National Theatre, said the initiative was about bringing young people together and preparing them for the future.
He urged students to avail themselves of every learning opportunity, describing the programme as a factory that would mould young people into future leaders and professionals.
Mr Malm said students who took the competition seriously could use it as an entry point into careers and opportunities that would transform their lives.
He commended the NCC and stakeholders for supporting the initiative, saying it would help the younger generation to appreciate the rich Ghanaian Culture.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng