The central regional director of education, Mr Emmanuel Essuman has appealed to leaders of various schools in Central Region to embrace high school band and music.
He made this call during the maiden edition of the Central High School Band and Music Festival (MusicFest) 2023 held at Cape Coast under the theme “Raising Awareness of Local Tourism through Music: A Way to Empower 21st Century Students and Strengthen Their Social Bonds”.
The Central High School Band and Music Festival is a transformative initiative which aims to unearth and nurture musical talent that can provide students with a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfilment.
Again, it seeks to foster healthy and progressive relationships among the Central Regional Schools.
“When I came to office, I realized that most of the students have regimental and dance band, even brass band in the school so we thought it wise to bring them together,” Mr Essuman said.
Mr Emmanuel Essuman added that the festival seeks to showcase indigenous culture through music and promote tourism in the region.
He said through the festival, there is a showcase of culture through music.
Mr. Essuman, therefore, called on stakeholders to support the initiative to help it realize its objectives in creating a bond among schools in the region as well as offering them the platform to express themselves and showcase their musical talents.
He also stated that the directorate is looking forward to introducing other programs like regional carols night, STEM fair, and Agric fair in order for the students to demonstrate their skills and build their confidence levels.
“This year, before the year ends, we are looking at having a regional Carol’s night where all the schools will come. We are also looking at having a food bazaar where we can have one common visiting day for all schools; so that you have the opportunity to meet your parents, so we are praying for God’s strength and sponsors,” he said.
On the Agric fair, Mr. Essuman explained that it is to create an avenue for the schools with vast lands to utilize that resource to assist the government.
“We are also looking at having regional Agric fair so that each school within the region, 75 schools in all; each is going to have a unique plantation so that we will not solely depend on government to supply buffers”
Speaking on behalf of the Central Regional Minister, Mr. Bless Kwame Darkey, a Chief Budget Analyst at the Central Regional Co-ordinating Council commended the director of education for this initiative.
According to him, music can provide an escape from everyday life and also serve as an alternative means of expressing one’s own capabilities.
To him, the initiative will help students not only comprehend and decipher unique symbols but also learn self-discipline, and expression through sound, enhance technical motor skills and learn how to cooperate and collaborate with others.
He emphasized that this innovative idea must be sustained.
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Source: Linda Afful & Portia Owusuaa Quanii/ATLFMNEWS
