In a recent engagement with creatives in Kumasi, former President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) commitment to transforming Ghana’s creative industry.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mahama announced the NDC’s plans to establish a new national theatre in Kumasi if the party wins the upcoming election.
Mahama explained that the NDC had initially included this proposal in its 2020 manifesto, promising that a next NDC government would fulfill this pledge. He emphasized that the theatre would serve as a significant boost for content creators and artists in the Ashanti Region, offering a centralized venue to nurture local talent and host creative events.
“In our 2020 manifesto, we promised to build Ghana’s second national theatre in Kumasi. We have not reneged on our promise and we are repeating that if we come into power, we will build our second theatre in Kumasi,” he stated.
The former President also addressed the current state of Accra’s National Theatre, lamenting its lack of modernization since its construction during the tenure of President Jerry John Rawlings with support from the Chinese government. Mahama highlighted plans to renovate the Accra facility with cutting-edge equipment, transforming it into a modern creative hub that can serve artists from across the country.
“National Film theatre since the Chinese helped us to build under Rawlings’s time till now, it has not been rehabilitated. A lot of things are in bad shape at the theatre. The curtains cannot be drawn, the stage is in bad shape and so it is time for us to rehabilitate the building so it can help the creative industry.” He stated.
With these ambitious projects, Mahama hopes to create a thriving ecosystem that supports both traditional and emerging art forms in Ghana.
Story by: Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah_univers.ug.edu.gh
