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