Kumasi, July 2, 2025 — The Baba Yara Sports Stadium came alive with color, rhythm, and electric talent as over 30 senior high schools across the Ashanti Region gathered for the maiden edition of the Ashanti High School Music Fiesta. The musical spectacle, themed “Music Without Borders: United in Harmony,” was launched on June 4 and climaxed today with unforgettable performances, fierce competition, and cultural pride.

Organized under the auspices of the Ashanti Regional Ghana Education Service (GES), the event offered a vibrant platform for young musicians to express their creativity, foster inter-school unity, and celebrate Ghanaian heritage.

The Results Are In: Toase SHS Claims Gold

After a thrilling showdown of brass, drums, and choral finesse, Toase Senior High School emerged the overall winner with a commanding score of 261 points, taking 1st place out of the 31 ranked schools.

Trailing closely were:

Armed Forces SHTS with 248 points – 2nd Place

Opoku Ware School (OWASS) with 245 points – 3rd Place

Wesley High School – 244 points – 4th Place

Osei Tutu SHS – 242 points – 5th Place

Other top performers included Asanteman SHS, Prempeh College, and Kofi Agyei SHS, all showcasing remarkable coordination and stage presence that wowed the crowd and judges alike .

Not Just a Competition — A Cultural Celebration

What set the fiesta apart was not just the competition, but its unifying cultural spirit. Hosted at Prempeh College’s J.A.K. Auditorium during its launch, dignitaries like Dr. William Kwame Amankra Appiah (Ashanti Regional Director of Education), Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, and MCE Eric Assibey rallied support for arts in education.

Throughout the final event, students performed traditional ensembles, creative story-telling acts, and contemporary musical pieces. Performing bands were limited to 20 members per school, and each was judged on musical technique, creativity, coordination, and overall impression.

Surprise Guests Light Up the Stage

The crowd erupted when Kumawood icon Kwadwo Nkansah “Lilwin” hit the stage, with Lilwin’s dramatic entrance causing a frenzy both in-stadium and online. Social media buzzed with clips and praise, with some describing the day as “beautiful beyond standard” and “historical.”

A Future for Music in Education

This fiesta marks a critical milestone in re-establishing music and the arts as central to holistic education. The Ashanti Regional GES emphasized the event’s goal to promote peace, diversity, and excellence through creative expression.

As one adjudicator remarked, “These students aren’t just playing instruments — they’re shaping Ghana’s cultural future.”

Final Thought:

If this inaugural edition is anything to go by, the Ashanti High School Music Fiesta is poised to become a flagship event in the educational calendar — not just for its fierce musical rivalries, but for the joy, unity, and brilliance it brings to Ghana’s youth.

Watch the video below:

Several students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), were on Wednesday, July 2, sent home by a task force for what has been described as indecent dressing.

The action follows earlier reports that the university would no longer tolerate inappropriate attire on campus.

According to information available to Myjoyonline.com, affected students were asked to leave the classroom and return to their homes or hostels to change before being allowed back.

A victim who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating that a number of them were turned away on Wednesday morning and instructed to return only after changing into ‘more appropriate’ clothing.

At the time of filing this report, the UPSA administration had yet to speak on the development.

The move appears to be part of renewed efforts by the university to enforce its code of conduct and promote discipline among students.

myjoyonline.com

A recent increase of COVID-19 cases has been confirmed by Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the minister of health, with the majority of infections occurring at the University of Ghana campus.

According to him, the Omicron variation is the main cause of the cases.

In his speech to Parliament today, Mr. Akandoh revealed that 107 of the 316 suspected instances have been verified.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 Resurfaces at University of Ghana: Health Authorities Sound the Alarm

He did, however, reassure the public that the new illnesses have not been connected to any hospitalizations or fatalities.

To stop the spread of the disease, health officials have stepped up testing and surveillance, especially in schools.

The minister called on everyone to follow preventive measures, including as washing their hands, wearing masks in crowded areas, and getting vaccinated, particularly if they haven’t had their booster injections yet.

The Minister claimed that a social gathering during hall week celebrations on the University of Ghana campus was the catalyst for this quick spread.

“Mr. Speaker, after sending in a team to investigate, we found a few key issues that fuelled the spread. The most significant factor was the recent Hall Week celebrations held at the University. These events brought large crowds together, with little use of face masks or distancing,” he said.

Additionally, he clarified that the Ministry met with the heads of Noguchi, the School of Public Health, and the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service in addition to sending a national team to collaborate with the University and municipal health authorities.

All university hall week activities were thereafter suspended, and notices were sent to all medical facilities across the country.

The Minister also mentioned the commencement of a campus-wide education campaign that involves student leaders, campus radio, and banners.