International Theatre Day marked in Ghana

The three resident groups at the National Theatre of Ghana including the National Drama Company (ABIBIGROMA), the National Dance Company and the National Symphony Orchestra have put up sterling performances at the National Theatre to mark the International Theatre Day.

Instituted in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the day is celebrated annually across the world on March 27 and is used to reflect on the role theatre plays in our lives and the society at large.

This year’s celebration which was commemorated at the National Theatre was not only limited to performances, but was also used to give lectures on some selected topics.

Among the speakers at the ceremony were Dr. Kofi Amoah who spoke on the topic “Creating the necessary synergies between the Arts and Business”.

Dr. Amoah proposed the business industry and the arts industry should come together to form what he called the Business and Arts Ghana Society to promote the arts industry, which will in turn yield revenue and bring more business to the business industry as well.

The Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Development Consult, Akunu Dake, who spoke on the topic “Taking Theatre to the Communities, a case for peaceful co-existence” urged stakeholders in the arts industry to use their medium to preach peace in the country.

The Director of Finance and Administration at the National Commission on Culture (NCC), Michael Attipoe also spoke on the topic “Developing, Promoting and Funding the Performing Arts: Effective ways by which Government Policy can create the enabling environment for the Arts to thrive”.

He appealed to government to invest more in the Ghana Arts industry than it is currently doing.

Solidarity messages came from UNESCO, MUSIGA and some sympathizers of the Ghana Arts Industry.

A tribute was also paid to the former Director of the Ghana National Theatre, Efo Kodjo Mawugbe who died in Septemberlast year.

There were also performances from renowned musician and dancer, Slim Buster and comedian Bishop Bob Okala.