News
CNC launches Ebo Whyte Student Drama Competition
The Centre for National Culture (CNC), Accra, has launched this year’s edition of the CNCs Ebo Whyte Student Drama Competition at Accra Academy in Accra.
OrganiSed by the CNC in partnership with Roverman Productions, seven schools were to appear on day one of the zonal competition but four turned up with the others expected to join along the line.
The schools included Accra Academy, Accra Girls Senior High School, Kaneshie Technical Senior High and Ebenezer Senior High Schools all in zone one.
Following a completion of the five zonal competition, emerging finalists from each zone would converge at the National Theatre for the grand finale competition next month.
In an address, the Acting Regional Director for CNC, Mr Eric Ohene- Larbi, said the competition offers a unique opportunity for our young actors and actresses to learn, grow and shine.
He said the competition was a platform where participants were challenge to be bold, to express themselves, and to strive for excellence in the performing arts.
He said “Theatre Arts play a vital role in society and it allows us to tell stories, explore our identities, share our cultures and preserve memories.”
According to him, the mission of the CNC through this initiative is to nurture creative talents, build confidence and inspire critical thinking.
Mr Ohene- Larbi acknowledged the unwavering support of Roverman Production and the Playwright Uncle Ebo Whyte who have stood firmly by the centre since the concept of the competition was rolled out.
Mr Ohene Larbi urged benevolent organisations, individuals and major stakeholders who have the art of drama at heart to support the CNC to enable it promote Ghanaian culture and deepen our cultural heritage.
A student from Accra Academy, Master Daniel Mensah commended the organisers of the programme and urged authorities to sustain it to harness more talents for the entertainment industry.
BY SPECTATOR REPORTER
News
Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Psychological distress rises among teenage girls
The Mental Health Authority of Ghana has recorded rising psychological distress cases among teenage girls in the country.
The rise, according to the authority, is linked to academic pressure, family issues, gender-based violence, and isolation.
This was disclosed by Victoria Naema Abdulai, the founder of the One Project Africa Foundation (OPAF), a non-profit organisation focused on empowering women and girls.
Ms Abdulai said this at a mental health awareness session organised by the foundation for students of the Accra Girls Senior High School in Accra.
It was held under the theme “Empowering Her Mind, Voice and Power: Fostering a Resilient Tomorrow for the Girl Child through Mental Wellness,” which was aimed at building self-awareness, promote emotional healing, and encourage resilience among young girls.
She stated that mental health was not a luxury but the foundation on which every girl’s future should be built
Ms Abdulai said despite the rising need, mental health remains one of the most misunderstood and neglected issues in our society.
She said without mental wellness, young girls will continue to struggle silently with learning, dreaming, and relating to others, warning that the lack of attention to girls’ mental health is costing society their potential.
She urged students to embrace their emotions and seek help when struggling. “You are not weak for having emotions. You are human. Seeking help does not make you a failure, it makes you courageous.”
Touching on what the foundation does, Ms Abdulai said the foundation teaches girls how to pass exams but not how to process pain, obey instructions but not how to handle rejection. We are obsessed with excellence but ignore the exhaustion.”
A Mental health practitioner and addiction specialist, Esther Kyewaah Opoku, on her part stated that mental health was not separate from general well-being but central to it. “Without your mental health, you are not healthy,” she said.
She mentioned that adolescence is a fragile period, with the brain still developing until age 25.
She disclosed that one in seven adolescent girls in Ghana has a mental disorder, with 26 per cent experiencing depression, 29.8 per cent emotional distress, and 14.8 per cent suffer trauma or behavioural issues.
She also blamed these conditions on peer pressure, bullying, sexual abuse, and toxic comparisons driven by social media. “We are sitting on a time bomb,” she said, urging early intervention and compassion.
According to her, adolescence is a critical stage of mental and emotional development, during which the executive brain, or forebrain, continues to form until age 25.
“This period is filled with vulnerabilities that, if unmanaged, can lead to lifelong challenges,” she said.
Ms Opoku therefore called for compassion, peer support, and continuous education on mental health to break the cycle of silence and stigma, particularly among young girls, saying “nobody should feel alone or hopeless.”
By Stephanie Birikorang
