By Tilda Acorlor
The second edition of the Young and Safe Festival, organised by Node Eight and its consortium, drew enthusiastic and talented students from Senior High Schools across the Ho Municipality to the Mawuli School campus.
The event showcased creativity, confidence, and positive values among students who were drawn from Sokode Senior High School, Mawuko Girls Senior High School, Taviefe SHS, and host school Mawuli Senior High School.
The students competed in various categories, including stunning artwork with each piece telling a powerful story, music, dance, poetry, face painting, skating, and local artist performances added to the excitement.
Participants expressed themselves through themes like education, empowerment, and social change.
In an engagement with some participants, they expressed their delight and gratitude for the festival.
“I’m grateful for this experience. It’s given me a chance to showcase my talent and meet new people,” said a Mawuli School student.
“I wish we had more events like this in our community,” a Taviefe Senior High School student added.
Beyond entertainment, the festival promoted unity, diversity, and social cohesion, providing an educational experience for the students and participants.
The Project Manager for Young and Safe, Courage Asase, noted that the Young and Safe Consortium is not only dedicated to empowering young people but also to providing them with platforms to showcase their talents, foster creativity, and build a brighter future for a healthy community.
The Young and Safe Project is an initiative that addresses pressing issues facing young people in the Ho Municipality, which includes youth participation in city governance, sexual and reproductive health, mental health support, creative self-expression, and digital employment opportunities.
Node Eight, Fondation Botnar, Love Aid Foundation, Ho Municipal Education Directorate, and Ho Municipal Assembly collaborated on the project.
