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Ofori Panin SHS wins drama contest with splendid performance
Students of Ofori Panin Senior High School performing a play on unemployment
A splendid dramatic performance put up by students of Ofori Panin Senior High School in the Eastern Region earned them the highest prize of the maiden edition of the National High School Drama Competition, held on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the National Theatre in Accra.
The students performed on how unemployed graduates, in a hurry to better their lives, indulge in money rituals and other vices which eventually land them in deep troubles.
For coming out on top, Ofori Panin SHS received a beautiful trophy and cash of GHc2, 000, while Odorgonno Senior High School, the runner-up, received a trophy and cash prize of GHC1, 000. Manya Krobo Senior High School which came third received a trophy and cash prize of GHc500.
The competition, organised by Alpha Promotions and Simdos Entertainment in collaboration with High School Media Club, brought together 18 Senior High Schools to compete for the prizes at stake.
Some of the participants were Benkum Senior High School, Adonten Senior High School, Bright Senior High School, St. Johns Grammar Senior High School and Oyoko Methedist Senior High School,
Others were WBM Zion Senior High School, Diaspora Girls Senior High School, Nungua Senior High School, Labone Senior High School, Akuse Methodist Senior High School and Kinbu Senior High School.
The rest were Presbyterian Senior High School (Osu), New Juaben Senior High School, Oti Boateng Senior High School and Koforidua Secondary Technical School.
The schools dramatised bribery and corruption, tribal disputes and their negative impact on society, unemployment and greed, early child marriage, among others.
The judges looked for students’ adherence to the 20 minutes alloted to each school to perform their excellent acting skills, and the issues they addressed through drama.
Mr. Henry Morgan, one of the judges, said the reason for organising the national competition was “to encourage the students to be critical thinkers and act creatively, improve their writing skills and to develop their problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of education.”
The competition uses drama as an important tool to prepare students to develop tolerance, self-confidence, social awareness and ability to work in a world that is increasingly team oriented.
Ms. Priscilla Akyea Eshun, a participating student from Ofori Panin Senior High School and president of the High School Media Club said she was delighted and privileged to be part of the winning team at the competition, adding that “our shining performance has boosted our confidence and emboldened us to be set to achieve more successes in our future endeavours.”
By Agnes Nyarkoa Eshun
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
