School of Performing Arts to engage second-cycle schools in 2013

Mr Agyeman Weittey, Production Organizer for Abibigromma Residence Theatre Company of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana (Legon), has reiterated that the school is poised to raise the standard of Literature in second-cycle schools in the country.

To this end, Mr Weittey said the University had embarked on a "live performance'" of some Literature books being studied in schools for internal and external examinations.

Mr Weittey was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after a live performance of "Ïn the Chest of a Woman", a play by the late Efo Kodwo Mawugbe, former Director of the National Theatre, at the Sekondi Methodist Senior High School (MEHSEC).

Earlier, the Abibigromma Drama Troupe had taken the performance to the Bonzo Kaku Senior High School (BOKASS), Nsein Senior High, Mpohor Senior High, all in the Western Region.

Mr Weittey said the rationale behind the move was to dramatize the plays before students to deepen their understanding so they could perform better in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

He intimated that the daughter of the late Efo Mawugbe had placed an injunction on their tour to schools in the Brong-Ahafo Region last year, and appealed to her to stop the legal battle with the Department since the School had no vested interest in her father's intellectual property.

On the relevance of the themes espoused by Efo Mawugbe in his work, Mr Weittey said it was appropriate as it dealt with male chauvinism in society and made a strong case for women empowerment to hold public offices.

Mr Weittey used the occasion to appeal to public spirited organizations and individuals, as well as government, to sponsor the programme as the School was financially constrained.