Maiden National TVET choral festival ignites new era
The School of Creative Arts Auditorium at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), resonated with powerful anthems and tunes last Thursday, as the Ghana TVET Service hosted its inaugural National Invitational Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Choral Festival.
The landmark event, held on the theme: “Harmonising skills through music,” successfully fused artistic expression with technical prowess, marking a significant shift in the narrative surrounding technical and vocational education in the country.
The festival, a strategic collaboration between the Ghana TVET Service and the UEW Music Department, saw 10 exceptional choirs from TVET institutions across five regions compete in a spirited yet harmonious contest.
The event, which ran from 9:00am to 3:00pm, was not merely a competition but a bold statement on the holistic development of the Ghanaian youth.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Director-General of Operations for the Ghana TVET Service, Affi E. Agbenyo, articulated the core mission of the festival.
She emphasised that the event was meticulously designed to unearth hidden musical talents among TVET learners and to systematically encourage arts and culture activities within the technical education landscape.
A distinguished composer and Professor of Music at UEW, Professor Hans Kweku Wiabo-Baffoe, who chaired the occasion, reinforced the profound benefits of integrating arts into technical training.
Craftsmanship
A defining moment of the festival was the performance of a specially commissioned compulsory piece, ‘Craftsmanship’.
Composed by Joseph Mawudeka Ganyo, a student of the UEW Music Department under the direction of Dr Samuel Agbenyo, the song’s lyrics powerfully wove together themes of nationalism, pride and the indispensable role of the skilled artisan in building a resilient nation.
This anthem is set to become the musical signature of the TVET transformation agenda.
The performances were adjudicated by a panel of three expert lecturers from the UEW Music Department, ensuring a high standard of artistic evaluation.
Launchpad
The festival served as a thrilling precursor to a more ambitious national project.
Dr Agbenyo used the platform to announce the service's intention to launch a comprehensive National TVET Arts and Culture Festival in the coming year.
"This event is a glimpse into a grander vision. Next year, we plan to launch a national festival encompassing all creative mediums: dance, fashion, cooking, drama, and more to fully showcase the multifaceted talents of our TVET learners."
This vision was further elaborated by the Deputy Director for Physical Education, Sports, Arts and Culture, Eric Tetteh, who outlined a structured rollout plan.
The initiative will cascade from intramural competitions within institutions to regional contests, culminating in a grand national championship.
Victory and path forward
After a day of captivating performances, the choir from Comboni Technical Institute emerged as the champions of the maiden edition, receiving a memento and a certificate of merit in recognition of their excellence.
Several dignitaries were present, including Sally Nelly Coleman, the Central Regional Director for TVET, whose presence underscored the regional commitment to this new direction.
The inaugural National Invitational TVET Choral Festival has successfully set a new tempo for Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Ghana.
It has powerfully demonstrated that the hands that build and repair are equally capable of creating profound beauty.
By harmonising technical skills with the universal language of music, the Ghana TVET Service is not only training a workforce but is nurturing well-rounded, culturally grounded citizens poised to drive national development.
