Reclaiming our past. Performing our future. Join five pilot schools from the Eastern Region in a journey through Drama and Spoken Word, inspired by the AU Agenda 2063.
“The Africa We Want” begins with the stories we tell.
Echoes & Encores is an arts-in-education initiative by the Arise Center for Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (ACACE). Its 2026 pilot brings together five Senior High Schools in Ghana’s Eastern Region.
Students discover the “Echoes” of African brilliance in our history and project them as bold, imaginative “Encores” of the Africa we want in 2063.
Grounded in Aspiration 5 of AU Agenda 2063: African cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics.
Specialized tracks for Griot Spoken Word and Renaissance Drama, connecting heritage with the future.
Training through the Renaissance Roadmap Manual, with tools for research, ethical storytelling and performance.
Two artistic disciplines. A shared invitation to imagine Africa’s future.
Be the voice of the new Africa. Reclaim the Griot tradition through original poetry that connects African heritage with the future.
Build the world of 2063 on stage. Create a short play that explores continental challenges and the journey towards “The Africa We Want.”
The overall winners earn a headline performance slot at the 2028 Orange Youth Festival.
Trophies and framed certificates, plus stage or studio equipment for the school’s drama or literary club.
Learn with a professional playwright, poet or theatre director.
A platform to share students’ creativity and celebrate their schools.
Orange Youth Festival · Headline performance
Individual and school recognition
Best Actor · Best Actress · Best Poet · Best Script or Original Concept · Best Costume and Staging · Best Teacher/Coordinator
Schools register, are welcomed into the pilot and connect with the ACACE team online.
The Renaissance Roadmap Manual is sent virtually to registered schools to guide research, writing and rehearsal.
Five pilot schools from the Eastern Region bring the maiden edition to its climax in a final performance for the trophy.
Read the programme framework, performance formats, timeline and partnership information.
Be part of the five-school Eastern Region pilot. Register your school or partner with ACACE to support the next generation of African storytellers.