News
Kwabenya SHS crowned winners of CNC/Ebo Whyte student drama competition
The winners pose for the camera
The Kwabenya Senior High School (SHS) in Accra emerged winners of the Centre for National Culture (CNC)-Uncle Ebo Whyte Student’s Drama Competition at a grand finale held at the National Theatre in Accra.
For their prize, they received a trophy, laptop, a certificate and a cash prize of GH¢3,000.00.
St. John’s Grammar School emerged first runner-up to receive a trophy, laptop, a certificate and a cash prize of GH¢ 2,000.00.
Emerging third was Osu Presbyterian Senior High School, who also received a trophy, laptop and a cash prize of GH¢1,000.00.
It was organised 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 expertise 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 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 and 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.
By Spectator Reporter
News
Ghana-Colombia strengthens ties through diplomatic engagement
In an important diplomatic engagement, the Colombian Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Daniel Garces Carabali paid a courtesy call on the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, at his office in Accra to discuss some key areas of collaboration.
The meeting focused on pressing issues, including security, decongestion of Ghana’s prisons, prison reform programmes, training programmes, improving the welfare of prisoners and enhancing disaster management in the country.
The courtesy call underscores the growing bilateral ties between Ghana and Colombia, building on previous engagements, such as the visit of the Colombian Vice President to Ghana in 2023.
The meeting demonstrates the commitment of both nations to fostering cooperation and addressing shared challenges.
News
Ghana to host African Catholic Journalists from August 10
The Union Catholique Africaine de la Presse (UCAP), also known as the African Catholic Union of the Press, in collaboration with the Catholic Association of Media Practitioners-Ghana (CAMP-G), is set to host its prestigious Triennial Congress from August 10 to 17 August, 2025.
The programme would be held at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Legon, Accra, Ghana.
This landmark event, the most significant gathering of Catholic journalists in Africa, will bring together media professionals, researchers, and experts in digital technology from across the continent and beyond.
The theme for the Congress is: “Balancing Technological Progress and the Preservation of Human Values in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Congress Highlights
The UCAP Congress 2025 will feature discussions and deliberations on critical issues arising from or related to integral human development, particularly within the framework of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Some of the key sub-themes to be addressed include:Corporate Social Responsibility in Managing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Human Values, Deploying AI in Eco-friendly Business Start-ups in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges, Technology and the Reprogramming of Social Reality, Distortion of Reality in Social and Digital Media, Ecological Education and Action Against Unsustainable Exploitation of Natural Resources, and Media and the Promotion of the Recommendations of the Synod on Synodality in Africa.
Participants will include media professionals from both ecclesiastical and lay organisations, media researchers and academics, representatives from the Vatican, government agencies, NGOs, civil society, and the digital technology sector.
Objectives of the Congress
The primary goal of this Congress is to strengthen the capacities of media professionals and educate the public on the necessity of preserving human values amid rapid technological progress. Specific objectives include; Training 100 media practitioners in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, with a focus on balancing innovation and human values.
This will include promoting ethics and bioethics in technical research and technological innovations through media.
Advocating for human values such as respect for life, human dignity, charity, solidarity, and human rights and assessing the impact of technological progress to better understand the challenges, risks, and opportunities presented by AI will be part of the objectives.
UCAP is a continental organisation dedicated to promoting communication within the Catholic Church and its partners in Africa. With a mission to foster spiritual growth, collaboration, and responsible journalism, UCAP works to spread the Gospel, uphold human values, and support developmental initiatives across Africa and beyond.
UCAP is an independent, autonomous, non-political, and non-profit organisation comprising African Catholic journalists, communicators, academics, researchers, and institutions in various media fields.
