At finals of Arts for Peace competition: Students use artistic works to drum peace, social cohesion.

This was during the finals of the National Exhibition of Students' Artworks and Award Ceremony, organised under the Art for Peace Project. 

The finals of the competition took place at the hall of St Ambroise Parish, Cite Verte in Yaounde, on Friday, July 17, 2026. 

The finalist students and teachers were drawn from Piarist schools in Yaounde, Bamenda, Bandjoun and Bamendjou.

The competition was organised by not-for-profit organisation, Itaka-Escolapios Foundation, in collaboration with the Piarist Fathers of the Province of Central Africa.

Funded by the Jaca City Council in Spain, the Art for Peace competition is coordinated by Rev Fr Kebei-Ghongson Afoukeze.

The competition, it should be said, is a collaborative pilot project to improve educational quality, promote dialogue and build peace in Cameroon. 

Speaking to reporters at the end of the finals, Rev Fr Ghani Justine Sunjoh, who is Principal of St Joseph Calasanz Catholic College Nkwen, Bamenda, said the students, through the exhibitions, are contributing their own quota to national peace. 

“Through their work, they are calling everybody to conscience. That we have come to a point where nationally, we have to talk about the return of peace in our country as a whole,” he explained. 

Rev Fr Ghani Sunjoh said through the arts works, the children have made a clear message for return of peace and for all and sundry to push away violence and talk a language of peace. 

He said Piarist fathers have, through the foundation, been working over the years for the establishment of peace in the country just as the entire Catholic church has been working in the same light.  

He explained that the competition concerns all Piarist schools nationwide that have estimated 3,000 students, while about 300 participated for the national competition. 

Rev Fr Ghani Sunjoh called on all to heed the peace call of the students. He also noted that winners will be awarded prizes ranging from cash and gifts. 

Enter students 

After their exhibitions through drawings, paintings, themed songs, recitals and other artistic activities, the students appreciated organisers for the opportunity given them to make their voices heard in the peace building process. 

One of the students from St Joseph Calasanz Catholic College Nkwen, Chebonkeng Shani Neh, who presented a poem about peace, said she was inspired by the conflict raging in the North West and South West Regions.

Having lost many relatives in the war, she said her only plea is that “peace returns to the country”. 

Another student from the same school, Mariette Achu Nangah Ngang, presented a drawing on peace signifying peace, love, unity, humanity and loving one another as one family. 

The drawing with people holding hands together in a love shape, that of the Holy Father, Pope Leo, releasing a dove, a hand with people lifted up celebrating in joy and hands holding each other, she said, also symbolise togetherness. 

On his part, Mokiefor Ndi Awasung, said the crisis in the English-speaking regions has made many to lose hope. 

He said participating in the peace campaign gives them hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel as far as return of peace in the country is concerned. 

About the Arts for Peace competition 

Organisers said beyond recognising the outstanding artistic achievements of the students, the exhibition also aimed at promoting the integration of arts into peace education.

They said it also provides a platform for dialogue among educators, policymakers and development partners, and demonstrate the transformative role of creative expression in fostering peaceful coexistence in Cameroon.

The finals featured exhibition of the selected artworks, guided presentations by student artists and an award ceremony for outstanding participants. ‎

They said the aim is to guarantee ideal conditions for access to education and improve educational quality by including art as an educational and training component that breaks down barriers and contributes to the process of building bridges for dialogue, pacification, and social reconciliation. 

Organisers added that through a process of empowerment, using art, students, teachers, families, and communities are encouraged to take an active role in building bridges and proposals for peace in the country.

This competition promotes the use of the arts as a tool for peacebuilding, both within the school environment and in society at large. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3853 of Monday July 20, 2026