St. Thomas Aquinas SHS Triumphs in National Competitions as Ghana Launches New Literacy and Excellence Awards

St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School has established itself as a leader in both discipline and creativity following a series of victories in national competitions held in late June 2026. The school’s double success coincides with the launch of major national initiatives aimed at revolutionizing literacy and school accountability across Ghana. From the parade grounds of the National Cadet Corps to the galleries of the Ghana Library Authority, Ghanaian students are demonstrating a multifaceted approach to excellence that spans the arts, military discipline, and academic inquiry.

In a display of resilience despite heavy rainfall, St. Thomas Aquinas and Bishop Herman emerged as champions at the National Cadet Drill and Band Competition held at the Ghana National Fire Service Training School in Accra on June 30. The event, which brought together various senior high schools, focused on fostering leadership and teamwork. On the same day, St. Thomas Aquinas further cemented its reputation by winning the BTS Ghana Research Project visual arts contest. This competition, organized by the International Centre for Research on Women and the University of Cape Coast, aimed to highlight the systemic challenges faced by female artists in the creative industry. St. Mary’s and Accra High School followed in second and third places, respectively, during an event that featured robust panel discussions on the realities of Ghana's creative economy.

Complementing these achievements is the launch of the 2026 Literacy Challenge, a premier academic competition for students aged 11 to 15. This year’s theme centers on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Organized by Channel One TV and Citi FM, and supported by the British Council and Ghana Library Authority, the challenge requires participants to pen a 600-word letter to the Minister for Education. Students must analyze the pros and cons of AI and propose strategies for its integration into schools, with a specific focus on bridging the digital divide for rural areas. The initiative is backed by major sponsors including Prospectus Ghana Limited and SIC Insurance.

On a broader policy level, the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) has introduced the National Schools Awards (GALOP Edition) to drive systemic improvement. Launched in Accra with the support of the World Bank, the awards are part of the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP). Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, noted that the initiative marks a critical shift from focusing solely on student enrollment to prioritizing genuine learning outcomes and school management efficiency. By utilizing measurable assessments to recognize excellence, the government aims to create a culture of continuous improvement in the educational sector.

Together, these events signal a transformative period for Ghanaian education. The combination of student-led extracurricular success, a forward-looking focus on technology through the Literacy Challenge, and a new framework for institutional accountability suggests a holistic approach to student development. As the results of the visual arts research are disseminated later this month and the Literacy Challenge progresses, the focus remains firmly on equipping the next generation with the critical thinking and discipline required for the modern world.