Dr. Apaak tasks EXTRA CHORAL committees to ensure accountability and measurable learning outcomes

The Ministry of Education has tasked the newly inaugurated Advisory/Oversight Committee and Technical Committee of the EXTRA CHORAL National SHS Choral and Cultural Festival to ensure accountability, effective implementation and measurable educational outcomes.

The two committees are expected to provide the strategic direction and technical support needed to translate the programme’s objectives into practical activities for teachers and students across the country.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Abas Apaak gave the charge on Monday, November 9, 2026, during the inauguration of the committees at the Ministry’s Conference Room.

Dr. Apaak said the committees must ensure that the festival delivers more than musical performances by strengthening the connection between education, culture, creativity and practical learning.

Addressing members of the Advisory/Oversight Committee, he said: “I charge you to provide strong strategic direction, institutional guidance and accountability.”

He also urged members of the Technical Committee to focus on developing practical tools that teachers could use during classroom instruction and rehearsals.

“Members of the Technical Committee, I charge you to turn this vision into practical tools that teachers can use in classrooms and rehearsals. Let quality, inclusion, measurable outcomes and the responsible use of resources guide your work,” he said.

Dr Apaak called on both committees to work closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), the National Commission on Culture, the Ghana TVET Service, HARRYLIND CONSULT and other relevant educational and cultural institutions.

He emphasised the need for cultural accuracy, inclusiveness and respect for ownership as the programme draws on Ghanaian languages, stories, music and traditional knowledge.

The Ministry is also placing emphasis on monitoring and evaluation to establish whether the programme is achieving its intended educational objectives.

According to Dr Apaak, the committees will be required to establish baseline measurements, monitor changes in teachers’ classroom practices, track student participation and apply appropriate literacy and numeracy assessments.

“The Ministry will expect evidence. The Committees must establish baselines, monitor teacher practice, track learner participation and apply appropriate literacy and numeracy measures, so that we know what works, where to improve and how to scale success,” he stated.

The seven-year EXTRA CHORAL framework covers teacher training, learning materials, instruments, regional and national activities, curriculum integration, and monitoring and evaluation.

The Ministry expects the framework to support the integration of music and cultural activities into teaching and learning, while providing opportunities for students to develop creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen foundational learning by using songs, rhythms, stories, proverbs and poetry to help students practise literacy and numeracy skills in practical contexts.

Dr Apaak said the programme had received approval from the Ministry, while the Ghana Education Service continued to engage with HARRYLIND CONSULT on its implementation.

He also referenced the work of Professor Emmanuel Obed Acquah, Dean of the School of Creative Arts at the University of Education, Winneba, and Lead Consultant for the 2024 NaCCA Music Curriculum, on the link between EXTRA CHORAL and the Standards-Based Music Curriculum.

The Ministry has urged development partners, including UNESCO representatives, to view their support for the initiative as an investment not only in a cultural festival but also in teachers, learning resources, practical learning environments and measurable foundational-learning outcomes.

Dr Apaak said the ultimate measure of success would go beyond the quality of performances at the national event.

“In the end, we will measure the success of EXTRA CHORAL not only by the quality of performances on the national stage, but by what our learners can understand, communicate, calculate, create and apply because of it,” he said.

The inauguration of the two committees marks the formal establishment of the structures expected to guide the programme’s implementation and ensure that its educational objectives are achieved.

The Ministry of Education has tasked the newly inaugurated Advisory/Oversight Committee and Technical Committee of the EXTRA CHORAL National SHS Choral and Cultural Festival to ensure accountability, effective implementation and measurable educational outcomes.

The two committees are expected to provide the strategic direction and technical support needed to translate the programme’s objectives into practical activities for teachers and students across the country.

Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Abas Apaak gave the charge on Monday, November 9, 2026, during the inauguration of the committees at the Ministry’s Conference Room.

Dr. Apaak said the committees must ensure that the festival delivers more than musical performances by strengthening the connection between education, culture, creativity and practical learning.

Addressing members of the Advisory/Oversight Committee, he said: “I charge you to provide strong strategic direction, institutional guidance and accountability.”

He also urged members of the Technical Committee to focus on developing practical tools that teachers could use during classroom instruction and rehearsals.

“Members of the Technical Committee, I charge you to turn this vision into practical tools that teachers can use in classrooms and rehearsals. Let quality, inclusion, measurable outcomes and the responsible use of resources guide your work,” he said.

Dr. Apaak called on both committees to work closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), the National Commission on Culture, the Ghana TVET Service, HARRYLIND CONSULT and other relevant educational and cultural institutions.

He emphasised the need for cultural accuracy, inclusiveness and respect for ownership as the programme draws on Ghanaian languages, stories, music and traditional knowledge.

The Ministry is also placing emphasis on monitoring and evaluation to establish whether the programme is achieving its intended educational objectives.

According to Dr. Apaak, the committees will be required to establish baseline measurements, monitor changes in teachers’ classroom practices, track student participation and apply appropriate literacy and numeracy assessments.

“The Ministry will expect evidence. The Committees must establish baselines, monitor teacher practice, track learner participation and apply appropriate literacy and numeracy measures, so that we know what works, where to improve and how to scale success,” he stated.

The seven-year EXTRA CHORAL framework covers teacher training, learning materials, instruments, regional and national activities, curriculum integration, and monitoring and evaluation.

The Ministry expects the framework to support the integration of music and cultural activities into teaching and learning, while providing opportunities for students to develop creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen foundational learning by using songs, rhythms, stories, proverbs and poetry to help students practise literacy and numeracy skills in practical contexts.

Dr. Apaak said the programme had received approval from the Ministry, while the Ghana Education Service continued to engage with HARRYLIND CONSULT on its implementation.

He also referenced the work of Professor Emmanuel Obed Acquah, Dean of the School of Creative Arts at the University of Education, Winneba, and Lead Consultant for the 2024 NaCCA Music Curriculum, on the link between EXTRA CHORAL and the Standards-Based Music Curriculum.

The Ministry has urged development partners, including UNESCO representatives, to view their support for the initiative as an investment not only in a cultural festival but also in teachers, learning resources, practical learning environments and measurable foundational-learning outcomes.

Dr. Apaak said the ultimate measure of success would go beyond the quality of performances at the national event.

“In the end, we will measure the success of EXTRA CHORAL not only by the quality of performances on the national stage, but by what our learners can understand, communicate, calculate, create and apply because of it,” he said.

The inauguration of the two committees marks the formal establishment of the structures expected to guide the programme’s implementation and ensure that its educational objectives are achieved.