The Ashanti Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture (CNC), Peter Kofi Marfo, has stated that the Students Drama Festival (STUDRAFEST) is a strategic initiative to produce creative talents for Ghana's national development. He made this statement at the Ashanti Regional finals of the festival, held on September 26, 2026, at the Apatakesie Theatre of the Centre for National Culture in Kumasi. The festival is a collaboration between the National Commission on Culture (NCC), the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the CNC's 16 Regional Centres for National Culture.
According to Mr. Marfo, STUDRAFEST aims to move theatre beyond entertainment and position it as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and job creation. He emphasized that the festival is not just a competition but a talent incubation program that will provide Ghana with a future creative workforce. The regional finals featured eight senior high schools (SHSs) from across the Ashanti Region, showcasing plays centered on discipline, cultural values, and youth development.
Mr. Marfo commended the teachers, patrons, and heads of participating schools for investing time and resources in preparing their students despite logistical challenges. He also thanked Nana Yaw Akuoko, Otumfuo Assinhene Sepaase, who chaired the event. The winning school, Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS, took home the ultimate prize with their thought-provoking play, "The Treasure We Broke." St. Louis SHS and Kumasi Wesley Girls SHS placed second and third, respectively.
The Ashanti Regional finals of STUDRAFEST saw a display of creative talents from students across the region. The festival has been instituted by the National Commission on Culture (NCC) and is being implemented across the country by the CNC's 16 Regional Centres for National Culture. This initiative aims to harness the creative potential of Ghana's youth and provide them with a platform to showcase their talents.
Mr. Marfo appealed to corporate bodies, old students' associations, and philanthropists to support the Centres for National Culture to expand the festival and provide technical equipment for schools. He believes that with the right support, STUDRAFEST can be a powerful tool for Ghana's national development. The winning school will represent the Ashanti Region at the national STUDRAFEST festival in October.
The STUDRAFEST festival has been gaining momentum across Ghana, with regional finals being held in various parts of the country. The initiative has been praised for its innovative approach to promoting cultural values, education, and job creation among Ghana's youth. As the festival continues to grow, it is expected to provide a platform for Ghana's creative talents to shine.
The national STUDRAFEST festival is set to take place in October, with Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS representing the Ashanti Region. The festival is expected to bring together the best creative talents from across Ghana, providing a platform for them to showcase their skills and compete for top prizes. With the right support, STUDRAFEST has the potential to become a leading cultural event in Ghana.
Key points
- STUDRAFEST aims to produce creative talents for Ghana's national development.
- The festival is a collaboration between the National Commission on Culture (NCC), the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the CNC's 16 Regional Centres for National Culture.
- Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS won the ultimate prize at the Ashanti Regional finals with their play, "The Treasure We Broke."
