Imagine a flagship event on the senior high school calendar where school bands compete from the regional level to the national stage — not just to entertain, but to educate, groom talent, and highlight the immense value of music in our educational system.
This idea came to life in my mind after the Ashanti Regional Directorate of Education recently mirrored the efforts of the Central Region by organising a regional music festival for SHS students. The Central Region had earlier hosted its third annual inter-schools music festival in April 2025 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, where Mozano College of Music emerged victorious. The event was met with great enthusiasm, sparking vibrant discussions on social media about how such initiatives can deepen interest in music among students.
Ashanti Region’s debut edition, held on July 2, 2025, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, only strengthened the growing call for a national-level SHS music competition.
It was truly inspiring to watch young talents from both regions perform using various instruments across genres, from highlife and regimental music to contemporary Ghanaian pop. These performances weren’t just about showmanship — they were filled with purpose, pride, and a celebration of Ghanaian cultural identity.
A structured competition like this could serve as a springboard for discovering and nurturing musical talents across Ghana. More than that, it would restore respect for arts education in our schools. Such an initiative aligns well with Ghana’s new SHS curriculum, which rightly emphasizes Creative Arts and Music.
As a passionate advocate for arts education, and someone who has taught music and art before, I believe what the Ashanti and Central regions have started should be scaled nationwide. This shouldn’t be a one-off event but a fully coordinated annual festival culminating in a national final.
With support from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Musicians Union of Ghana, the Black Star Experience Secretariat, corporate sponsors, and media houses, we could develop this into a cultural phenomenon.
The National Science and Maths Quiz has done incredibly well in promoting academic excellence. Now, it’s time to shine the same national spotlight on music. A national SHS music competition, delivered with high production value and strong public engagement, could elevate the creative arts in Ghana to new heights. We wouldn’t just be identifying future musicians — we’d be creating a society that places equal value on artistic expression and academic achievement.
This would be a modern-day version of the iconic pop chain concerts that once defined Ghana’s youth music culture.
Beyond the performance aspect, music education enhances memory, confidence, teamwork, and discipline — essential life skills that extend beyond the arts. Economically, it opens doors to careers in performance, production, sound engineering, and education — a timely solution in a country where youth unemployment is a pressing challenge.
So here’s my appeal to the decision-makers: Let’s think beyond classrooms and textbooks. Let’s invest in the creative potential of our youth. Let’s launch a National Senior High School Music Competition — not just for entertainment, but as a bold step towards building Ghana’s future creative economy.