One of Ghana’s most recognisable spoken word artists, Chief Moomen, has signed a major deal with Key Soap to produce a series of stage performances to be known as the ‘Heritage Theatre Series.’
The African themed theatre productions will combine poetry, music, dance and drama to tell the story of Ghana from ancient to modern times.
The productions will be co-directed by actress and playwright, Anima Misa Amoah. It involves a large cast, a number of directors and professional performers from the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana. The productions are being put together by Bambu Center, a creative agency and President 360, an event management outfit.
This is the next big thing Key Soap has endorsed since its Key Soap Concert Party days. Unilever’s veritable heritage brand, Key Soap, almost as old as Ghana, sees this as a great opportunity to help in the preservation and promotion of Ghana’s heritage (the tradition, indeed, goes on), as well as to develop young talents and open up new opportunities.
The brain behind the project, Chief Moomen, mentioned that this is a production he has been working on and hoping to stage for the past couple of years. He is excited that the opportunity has finally presented itself and promised that together with his team, they were going to stage an awe-inspiring and exciting show.
He expressed gratitude to Key Soap for accepting to be the main sponsor for the production and urged others to come on board.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the marketing manager for Unilever Ghana, Clarence Nartey, said that his Outfit was proud to be associated with the production whilst pointing out that Key Soap has been an iconic brand in the country for the past 50 years.
He was confident that the production would help to sell Ghana’s rich culture and heritage.
On her part, the Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon Dzifa Gomashie, stated that the Ministry was happy to support the project. She observed that at a time when our culture was being diluted by a multiplicity of influences, it was important to have productions like this to reassert our identity.
She congratulated Key Soap for agreeing to sponsor the production and pledged the Ministry’s unflinching support to make Heritage Theatre Series a successful one.
The first of the productions will be staged this July at the State Banquet Hall. This part focuses on the arrival and settlement of various ethnic groups, the advent of slave trade and colonialism, and the struggle for independence.
The second in the series, which focuses on Ghana from 1957 to 1992 is expected to be staged in 2016. The third part to be staged in 2017 tells the story of Ghana from 1992 to modern times. The productions are actually a build-up to Ghana’s 60th Anniversary in 2017.
As well as helping us to own and tell our stories, the Heritage Theatre Series has come at a time when there is a resurgence of the campaign to believe in Ghana.
Crucially, the series of performances has also come to remind us about the need to preserve and promote our heritage; and to celebrate our diversity. It promises to be nothing short of spectacular. More information would be provided in the coming weeks.
