By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, June 6, GNA – The Ghana TVET Service, in collaboration with Theatrical Harmony Production, has launched the Thespians TVET Drama Competition 2026 to unearth and nurture budding talents among students in technical and vocational institutions.
The promotion of drama within the technical and vocational education system began years ago, under the erstwhile National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), and has since been sustained by the Ghana TVET Service.
This year’s competition is on the theme: “Culture and Arts Education for Lasting Peace.”
It will be held on Friday, June 26, at the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC) Legon, Accra.
Mr Eric K. Tetteh, National Coordinator for Physical Education and Sports, Ghana TVET Service, said the Service’s training approach focused on developing the head, heart and hands of learners, adding that talent discovery and development remained one of its core mandates.
In a welcome address at the launch on Thursday in Accra, he said the competition would involve 10 schools from four regions, providing participants the opportunity to showcase their talents while competing for various prizes.
The participating schools are Biriwa Technical Institute from the Central Region, Comboni Technical Institute from the Volta Region, St. Paul’s Technical School from the Eastern Region, as well as New Century Technical Institute, Madina Technical Institute, and Tema Mission Technical Institute.
The others are Opportunity Industrialisation Technical Institute, Afienya Technical Institute, Teshie Technical Institute and Accra Technical Training Centre, from the Greater Accra Region.
Madam Emelia Affi Agbenyo, Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations, Ghana TVET Service, in a keynote address, said drama offered people a reflection of life and contributed significantly to personal growth and development.
She noted that the creative arts space, including drama, served as a platform for development and employment creation as productions engaged a range of professionals such as woodworkers, costumiers and property masters.
“The creative space is a space to build a workforce for our learners. For those of us who are headmasters, instructors and school leaders, we must create that interconnectedness for the young people,” she said.
Madam Agbenyo further described the creative arts sector as an effective vehicle for advocacy, recalling how drama had previously been used to educate the public on HIV prevention, discipline and voter sensitisation.
She said the stage remained a powerful tool for changing perceptions and promoting skills development.
Nana Kwaku Obeng, Chief Operating Officer of Theatrical Harmony Production, noted that all participating schools would develop their plays based on the competition theme, with each school allotted 45 minutes for its performance.
He said each institution would be required to present a cast and crew of 25 members and bring along its own audience.
The winner, first and second runners-up, as well as categories including Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/ Actress, Best Script, Best Costume, Best Set Design and Best Director among others will receive awards.
Mr Percy Obrempong Agyapong, President of the Ghana Comedian Network, urged participating schools to showcase their craftsmanship and demonstrate the contribution of TVET education to national development, stressing that TVET learners were problem-solvers and innovators.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Patrick Ofoe Nudzi