N/R CNC launches 2026 STUDRAFESTC: A showcase of students’ creativity and talents

By Samuel SAM

STUDRAFEST, an annual Students’ Drama Festival, for Senior High School (SHS) students to showcase their creativity, talents and understanding of a critical social issue through drama, has been launched in Tamale.

The event, which is scheduled for July 9, 2026, is organised by the Northern Regional Office of the National Commission on Culture (NCC) in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES), Buta Photography and other stakeholders.

STUDRAFEST provides participating students with a platform to write, direct and perform original plays aimed at preservation, development, promotion and dissemination of the cultural heritage of Ghanaians in each region.

This year’s edition, dubbed “The Silent Killer: Drug Abuse and its Impact on the Youth,” aims to foster national unity, shape identity, shape the future of the youth, create wealth and project Ghana’s image globally.

At the Regional level, the winner of the event would represent the schools at the national level.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Northern Regional Director of GES, Alhassan Alidu Jnr, represented by the Regional Coordinator of Culture, Abudu Sampson Mangdow, commended CNC for the initiative, saying, “It encourages students from different schools and regions to interact, appreciate one another’s talents and build networks.”

He said GES adopted the festival as part of the curriculum to help develop the potential of some students interested in the sector while raising awareness.

He reiterated the commitment of GES, CNC and other stakeholders to sustain the event for national discourse.

Deputy Executive Director of Buta Visual Agency, Cudjoe Buta, said that the use of photography, visuals and drama depicts lots of educational awareness creation in addressing contemporary problems affecting the youth and society.

“We are committed to creating a visual communication and photography agency in storytelling through images, documentaries and videos. We also focus on impact-driven visual documentation by helping NGOs, government agencies, development organisations and cultural events capture and amplify real stories, especially from underserved communities in Northern Ghana,” he said.

Northern Regional Director of CNC, Abubakari Iddrisu Saeed, said the event is to help students develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork and communication skills

He said the festival sought to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, especially among young people, provide a creative platform for students to propose solutions through drama, strengthen cultural identity, and embark on community engagement to inspire the youth leadership in addressing social issues for national development.

“Management chose the theme because drug abuse continues to pose a serious threat to the health, education and prospects of many youth who are endangering their lives with the use of drugs not prescribed by health practitioners”, he said.

“As a society, we have a collective responsibility to educate, guide, and empower our youth to make informed choices and resist the dangers associated with substance abuse”, he added.

According to him, drama is a tool for education and societal transformation, and through the performance, the students will not only entertain us but also communicate important messages that can inspire positive behavioural change among their peers and members of the communities.

We believe that the arts have the power to stimulate dialogue, raise awareness and contribute to national development, he stressed.

He commended the participating schools, their teachers, and all those who had worked in preparing for the event date.

“Your dedication demonstrates the important role that education and culture play in shaping responsible and productive citizens,” he said.

He encouraged the students to rehearse well and perform with confidence, creativity, and passion to compete with each other and also serve as ambassadors of positive change in their schools, the community and Ghana as a whole.

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