Entertainment
All you need to know about Ghana Theatre Festival 2023
The National Theatre of Ghana will host the 8th edition of its Ghana Theatre Festival from 26th September to 1st October 2023, with a theme: “Celebrating Ghanaian culture and heritage through partnerships and linkages.”
The annually celebrated Arts Festival is a unique event designed to feature the work of different artists and performing arts groups in Ghana, by offering them the platform to exhibit their works and talents and to build their capabilities in Theatre Production.
The Arts Festival also offers potential Theatre audiences diverse quality productions at an affordable cost, and hopefully builds a dedicated audience for theatre events at the National Theatre and Ghana as a whole.
The Ghana Arts Festival is loaded with varied theatrical products intended to thrill patrons.
Events lined up for the festival include a Theatre programme for schools (Son of Umbelle), a fashion show, a film show, Stand-up Comedy, drama and an art exhibition to showcase authentic artefacts and other made-in-Ghana products.
Other events are “GHROBICS “, an aerobic exercise performed through the use of traditional dances fused with drumming and music for a total body workout to improve physical fitness and overall sense of well-being.
GHROBICS also helps one to acquire traditional dance and movement skills.
The Festival will be heralded by a special total theatre performance featuring all three resident groups of the National Theatre, (National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Drama Company) on September 29, 2023, at 7 p.m.
The production, EFU PƆNKƆ is a folk story based on music composed by the late Bob Cole “Edwen dee ereye me.”
Other participating groups in the Festival are Agape Arts Production, 2 idiots production, Department of Fashion Design and Textiles ( Accra Technical University), Ghana Academy of Films and Television Arts, EN Academy, Addis Dance, 2 Cute Entertainment, Robdy’s Production, and Visual Arts Students Empowerment Project.
With productions for different ages in all performing arts areas there is bound to be a production to meet your needs. The Theatre for Development production targets audiences including basic and senior high school students, and there are other productions for tertiary students and adults with a passion for the performing arts.
All productions within the festival have a goal of projecting positive National values and towards the National Theatre’s efforts to fulfill its mandate, “to develop and promote the performing arts in Ghana.”
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has launched Heritage Month to project the country’s rich culture and national identity.
The launch took place at Nationalism Park on Monday, March 2, 2026.
This year’s celebration, under the theme, “Experience Ghana, My Heritage, My Pride (Taste 69@69),” also marked the launch of the historic Vodza Regatta.
Speaking at the launch, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie emphasized the role of tourism, culture and the creative arts in driving jobs, empowering youth and women, and stimulating domestic tourism.
She commended President John Dramani Mahama for offering to be the culture ambassador extraordinary.
According to her, the tourism and creative sector, as the biggest service provider, needs support because it has what it takes to create a lot of employment for Ghanaians.
The minister also charged schools, corporate Ghana, and everyone to visit local tourist sites across the country and enjoy the local cuisines.
She also commended the Ghana Culture Forum and the National Folklore Board for advancing Ghana’s heritage recognition efforts.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, Maame Efua Houadjeto, noted that Heritage Month is both a cultural celebration and an economic activation strategy, with activities including discounted access to heritage sites.
Mrs. Efua Houadjeto noted that there would be “Taste 69@69” culinary showcase, a nationwide Heritage Caravan, Akwaaba Festival, Asa Baako Festival, Akple Festival, Kenkey Festival, Independence Open Mic Concert, and Ghana Day, among others.
She revealed that there would be the unveiling of a revitalised GTA digital platform and an enhanced Ghana Travel portal.
Present at the launch were the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Yussif Issaka Jajah, Ghana Tourism Development Company boss, Prof. Kobby Mensah, Deputy GTA CEO, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, other sector directors, traditional authorities, diplomatic representatives, stakeholders and the media.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Ghanaian gospel artist Enuonyam Akuffo Tuffour, known in the showbiz circles as Enuonyam, has released her much-awaited album dubbed ‘Jesus Given’.
The six-track album is made up of songs like Jesus Given, Be Still featuring Luigi Maclean, Kyere Me Kwan featuring Kweku Teye, I Will Not Be Moved, Holy Ghost, and Hallelujah Holy.
Speaking to The Spectator Agoro during an exclusive listening session, Enuonyam said, “‘Jesus Given’ is a summary of what Jesus did on the cross for humanity and the benefit thereof.”
She added that it is an album inspired by John 15:13, which speaks of the greatest gift given to humanity: Jesus Christ, who later died for humanity.
Touching on the production process, she said it was a smooth process working on the album: “Everything worked as planned from collaboration to all those who played key roles in making the process possible.”
In a message to the public, the gospel musician said, “Everyone who is looking to experience Jesus intimately and beautifully should listen to the album.”
She was optimistic that the album would impact many lives and urged music lovers to stream Jesus Given, adding that the album is available on all streaming platforms.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
