Entertainment
‘Gayina’s Pound of Flesh’ thrills audiences
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Drama, comedy, laughter and the richness of Ghanaian culture took centre stage over the weekend as Playwright and Director, George Quaye, premiered his latest theatrical production, “Gayina’s Pound of Flesh” at the National Theatre in Accra.
Set in present-day Kumasi, the play tells the story of Efo Gayina, a traditional moneylender whose adherence to indigenous religion makes him the target of years of ridicule and discrimination.
The production opens with a bustling market scene, capturing the vibrancy of everyday life in Kumasi and introducing the characters whose lives become intertwined.
Among them is Oppong Kyekyeku, a respected and successful businessman who openly mocks Gayina for his faith, beliefs and lifestyle.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Oppong agrees to stand surety for his close friend, Afrifa, who approaches Gayina for financial assistance.
Gayina agrees to grant the loan on one condition: should Afrifa fail to repay it on time, he would claim a pound of flesh from Oppong.
However, misfortune befalls Oppong as his businesses begin to decline at the time the loan becomes due, while his friend Afrifa is away on a trip.
Determined to enforce the agreement, Gayina heads to court to claim what he believes is rightfully his under the terms of the bond — a pound of flesh from Oppong’s body.
Despite repeated appeals from members of the community to temper justice with mercy, Gayina, driven by years of humiliation and resentment from the ridicule he had endured, remained resolute in claiming his pound of flesh.
Blending comedy, suspense and courtroom drama, the production explores themes of religious intolerance, revenge, justice and forgiveness through a contemporary Ghanaian lens.
It also reflects everyday realities in which people are judged and marginalised because of their beliefs, ethnic backgrounds or social identities.
Written and directed by George Quaye, the play is an original African adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.”
It challenges audiences to reflect on the prejudices and contradictions that shape human relationships and the consequences of discrimination.
Produced by Image Bureau in collaboration with April Communications, “Gayina’s Pound of Flesh” will return to the National Theatre on August 8 and 9, with performances scheduled for 4p.m. and 8p.m. Tickets are selling at GH¢200.
After a show-stopping run on stage, Fiifi Coleman Productions is taking ‘I Told You So’ to the big screen.
This follows a successful roadshow tour across Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Cape Coast.
The final leg saw Cape Coast come alive on September 4 and 5, as Fiifi Coleman Productions staged a breathtaking rendition of the Bob Cole classic at the Centre for National Culture (CNC).
Patrons showed up in extraordinary numbers, filling the auditorium with energy, laughter, nostalgia and deep cultural pride. Over the two-night run, the production drew more than 2,000 patrons, making the showcase, dubbed The Afahye Experience, one of the most memorable highlights of the festival season.
Speaking to the media in an interview on Monday, September 7, Fiifi Coleman said the adaptation seeks to protect Ghana’s cultural heritage and history.
According to him, the storyline remains relevant in today’s society and the current generation has lessons to learn from it.
“The movie takes you through family responsibility, and who has the right in the family when it comes to marriage, the father or uncle?” he quizzed.
He noted that in recent times families often shelve the need to conduct necessary background checks before marriage, adding that ‘I Told You So’ brings all these issues to the fore.
He also revealed that the feature film would be due for premiere in March 2027 in commemoration of Ghana’s 70th independence celebrations.
The stage production delivered a seamless blend of humour, heritage and contemporary relevance, reminding patrons of the enduring power of Ghanaian theatre to unite communities and celebrate identity.
With its successful run on stage, the team is now taking a bold step to adapt it for cinema.
He expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders for their support in making the project a success.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Miss World Ghana 2026, Rumzia Sule, has returned home after representing Ghana at the Miss World 2026 pageant in Vietnam.
Rumzia arrived at the Accra International Airport on Tuesday, September 8, where she received a warm welcome from members of the Miss Ghana Organisation, her fellow queens and runners-up, family members and well-wishers.
The beauty queen was welcomed with flowers and the Ghana flag as she reunited with loved ones following her international pageant journey.
Rumzia was among 111 national ambassadors who participated in the 2026 Miss World Festival in Vietnam.
The grand finale was held on September 5 in Nha Trang, where Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026. Elisabeth Reynés of Spain was named first runner-up, while Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia emerged as second runner-up.
Although Ghana did not take the overall crown, Rumzia made the country proud with her strong showing in the Beauty With a Purpose segment. Her sanitation-focused project earned her a place among the Top 6 African finalists in the segment.
Her project has focused on promoting sanitation and encouraging Ghanaians to take responsibility for keeping their communities clean. As part of the project, she joined the President’s clean-up campaign and collaborated with the “Bus Stop Boys” to clean some principal streets in Accra.
She also donated GH¢10,000 to the Bus Stop Boys to support their sanitation efforts as well as victims of the Accra floods in June 2026.
Later in the year, Rumzia is expected to extend the campaign to schools, where she will engage children on the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
Rumzia earned the opportunity to represent Ghana internationally after winning the 69th Miss Ghana pageant in July 2026. The competition was held under the theme: ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy.’
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
