Among the goals of the programme, is to also get the various Methodist youth groups to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to compete in areas of the performing arts such as drama, dance and music.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the foyer of the National Theatre in Accra on Tuesday, June 21, the Executive Director of National Theatre, Mrs Amy Appiah Frimpong said the performing arts demands commitment, discipline and a deep reliance on its tenets to succeed.

These tenets, Mrs Appiah Frimpong mentioned will be imparted into participants since the performing arts pushes people to stick to their goals by becoming masters over their craft.

“This youth development programme will offer the young people, particularly those of the Methodist Church, Ghana large opportunities in life socially and professionally. Their success, through this our joint venture, will impact not only the Methodist Church but society as whole.

“Once the youth in the Methodist Church acquire skills for playing instruments, dancing, acting and singing among others, they will become the future artistes who will impact their skills to those coming after them. This will become a chain through which, together with other schools, groups, and institutions of theatre, Christianity and entertainment is maintained,” she said.

In a presentation, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo said the church’s collaboration with National Theatre was not misplaced since culture and religion had a lot in common.

He disclosed that the church was driven to pursue the programme following its mandate of equipping the younger generation with the needed abilities to be relevant to the church and the world.

“There’s no shred of doubt that this programme will enhance and explore what is within the youth to help in the development of Ghana.

“Also, it will go a long way to grow the music ministry of the Methodist Church of Ghana and youth groupings such as the Girls and Boys Brigade,” he said.

There were goodwill messages from the Board of National Theatre and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. They pledged their commitment to support and ensure the success of the programme which will go a long way to revive the love for the performing arts among the youth.