Back to The Roots: The Sankofa Arts Festival 2025
From laughter-filled icebreakers to powerful performances, the maiden edition of the Sankofa Arts Festival brought together young artists from across Ghana and beyond for four unforgettable days of creativity, culture, and rediscovery.
Hosted by SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College (SOS-HGIC) and led by Jo Lee, the festival united students from:
- Achimota Secondary School
- Tema Secondary School (TEMASCO)
- International Community School (ICS)
- Al Rayan International School
- Cologne International School
It was a living expression of the Ghanaian concept Sankofa—to go back and reclaim what has been left behind, reminding participants that progress and self-understanding are rooted in heritage.
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The festival opened with a spirit of joy and collaboration as students connected through games, music, and shared laughter. This sense of unity deepened on Day 2, when participants visited the Nkyinkyim Museum, a site where art, history, and identity intertwine. Students explored sculptures, ancient traditions, and a hallway of mirrors that invited deep reflection on the past and the self. The visit inspired creative sessions in music, dance, clay sculpture, and visual arts, each capturing elements of African storytelling and ancestral wisdom.
On Day 3, creativity moved into full motion. Students composed original songs about Frederick Douglass, created artworks based on the Sankofa theme, and developed dance and theatre performances inspired by the museum’s stories. They also learned the official festival theme song, composed by one of the supervisors, which became a unifying anthem for the group.
The festival culminated in a grand exhibition and showcase on Day 4, where participants presented their artworks, performances, and reflections to an enthusiastic audience. The atmosphere was alive with pride, rhythm, and colour, marking the perfect close to a week of learning and artistic growth.
The Sankofa Arts Festival stood as a powerful reminder of the importance of art in education and of SOS-HGIC’s commitment to holistic learning. It celebrated not just creativity, but also collaboration, identity, and the shared values that connect communities across cultures.
A heartfelt congratulations to all participating schools, supervisors, and students for making this festival such an inspiring success. The Sankofa spirit lives on, reminding us that to move forward, we must remember where we come from.
Watch the highlights: https://youtu.be/l2jPRgZ8HPM
Watch the full festival: https://youtu.be/o6hUjZHD5Lg
