Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS Triumphs at Ashanti STUDRAFEST as Regional Director Calls for Creative Investment

Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) emerged as the champion of the Ashanti Regional Students Drama Festival (STUDRAFEST) held at the Apatakesie Theatre on September 26, 2026. The school’s drama troupe captivated the audience and judges with their performance of "The Treasure We Broke," securing first place among eight competing institutions. St. Louis Senior High School and Kumasi Wesley Girls Senior High School followed in second and third places, respectively, in a competition that showcased the depth of theatrical talent within the region.

Organized by the National Commission on Culture (NCC) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the festival serves as a vital platform for talent incubation and cultural preservation. The participating schools presented plays focused on themes of discipline, cultural values, and youth development. Beyond the overall rankings, the event recognized individual excellence with awards for Best Indigenous Play, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Costume, and Best Script, highlighting the multifaceted nature of theatrical production in schools.

Mr. Peter Kofi Marfo, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture (CNC), emphasized during the event that STUDRAFEST is essential for nurturing a creative workforce capable of contributing to national development. He described the festival as a strategic tool for education and future job creation. While praising the dedication of teachers and school administrators who prepared the students despite various logistical challenges, Mr. Marfo also appealed to corporate bodies and philanthropists to provide more support and performance spaces for the arts in schools.

Following their regional victory, Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS will move on to represent the Ashanti Region at the national STUDRAFEST competition scheduled for October 2026. The festival’s success underscores the growing importance of the performing arts in the Ghanaian educational curriculum. Advocates of the program hope that the upcoming national finals will further demonstrate how theatre can be used to foster creativity and character-building among the youth, ultimately preparing them for roles in the country's expanding creative economy.