‘How my play helped someone heal’ - Kobina Ansah narrates

Ghanaian playwright, Kobina Ansah, has shared how his play, ‘In the Pants of a Woman’, sparked the healing process for a member of his audience.

Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, he recalled that shortly after a recent performance, a woman approached him and revealed she had been raped but had never been able to speak up.

“After the show, a member of the audience came to me and said she had been raped before, but no one knew because she couldn’t speak up. After watching the play, her healing process began.

“That made me feel so proud, knowing that my play could help heal someone who had been a victim of rape,” he said.

We staged a play in front of an almost empty auditorium - Kobina Ansah on early days in theatre

He shared how his productions, which address sensitive themes such as gender-based violence, have resonated deeply with many women in the audience.

“The reactions were amazing. Women were empowered, and to me, that is all that matters. I saw some of them tear up while the play was going on. This is the power of storytelling,” he added.

Ansah, who has also represented Ghana on international theatre platforms, said his work is crafted to educate, empower, and spark difficult conversations that society often shies away from.

“I write and direct my plays in such a manner that our audience finds them relatable and relevant to present circumstances. This places them right in the middle of the story so they can take the needed action to effect change,” he explained.

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