Entertainment
National Theatre presents Efu Pɔnkɔ on August 25-26
Some characters in the drama
The National Theatre through its resident groups, the National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Drama Company in collaboration with Ghana Concert Party present Efu Pɔnkɔ (Camel), a Theatre Production.
The programme which is also under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is scheduled for August 25 to 26 at the National Theatre of Ghana
Efu Pɔnkɔ is a unique folk story based on the music composed by the late Bob Cole titled, “Ɛdwen ɖɛɛ ɛre yɛ me.”
The tale talks about a community where a certain animal called “Efu Pɔnkɔ” lives. After eating and getting satisfied, Efu Pɔnkɔ goes about doing foolish things in the community. Again, Efu Pɔnkɔ refuses to listen to the wisdom and advice from its friend, the “Cat” to stop the foolishness and rather calls him a thief.
One day, through his foolishness, he kicked his master’s son which necessitated the rushing of the boy to a hospital. The medical doctor tried hard to save the boy’s life, but to no avail. The master’s son died.
The death of Camel’s master’s son landed all the other animals like Horse, Goat, Sheep, Cow and Fowl in trouble.
The horse got hurt while running to call the doctor to save the boy’s life. Towards the funeral, all the other animals were taken to the slaughter house for the preparation of sumptuous meals for sympathisers, family members and friends, who will come to mourn.
This story relates to so many occurrences in real social life situation facing Ghana today. They can easily be identified nationwide in illegal mining, poor sanitation, ethnic conflicts, teenage pregnancy and school drop-outs
It also focuses on highlighting and addressing other issues like rural and urban migration, stowaway through cargo ships bound to other countries, coupled with other problems will be sequentially choreographed artistically in the performance.
As the drama unfolds with Efu Pɔnkɔ and the Cat as the lead characters, all the regions in Ghana segmented into zones for the purposes of this production.
The production will be presented through artistic movements, with a blend of percussive dance styles, dramatic sketches with narration incorporated with aesthetically pleasing melodies.
The production comes with revelation of events and circumstances, some negative, others positive, in a total theatre flair for an educational and transformational cultural experience.
THE president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Mr Bessa Simon has described criticism against a donation made to the family of the legendary Yaw Sarpong as misleading and a means to tarnish their image.
According to him, GH¢500 donated to the family during one week observance wasn’t the final funeral contribution but a symbolic amount to help with refreshment during the one week observance.
• Yaw Sarpong
He told the Spectator Agoro that the Union will make a formal donation at the funeral to the icon in the gospel industry.
“Giving an amount at one week is a common practice and shouldn’t overshadow Yaw Sarpongs legacy” he added
Meanwhile others praised MUSIGA for showing solidarity, others condemned the amount, describing it as inadequate and disrespectful to the legacy of the veteran singer.
Yaw Sarpong, born in Accra, emerged as one of Ghana’s most influential gospel musicians and a defining voice in contemporary Christian music across West Africa.
Rising from humble beginnings and shaped by the political and social turbulence of post-independence Ghana, he transformed gospel music with a distinctive blend of spiritual depth, lyrical clarity, and disciplined musical arrangement.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, Ghana’s celebrated child prodigy and youngest achiever ever recorded in the Guinness World Records’ 70-year history is set to captivate audiences at the upcoming Ghana Independence Day celebrations in Beijing, China.
The Ghana Embassy in the People’s Republic of China will host series of events culminating on March 6, 2026, to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary, with Ace Liam’s artwork prominently featured.
As part of the Embassy’s cultural initiatives, an art exhibition will showcase creative works by top Ghanaian artists including Ace Liam and renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama.
The exhibition aims to celebrate Ghana’s vibrant cultural heritage and foster closer cultural ties between Ghana and China.
At just 3 years old, Ace-Liam has earned acclaim for his innovative artistic talents. His participation in the Independence Day events highlights the role of young Ghanaian artists in promoting the country’s rich culture on a global stage.
Ambassador Kojo Bonsu, during a press soiree held on February 5, 2026, emphasised Ghana’s commitment to deepening its relationship with China through cultural exchange and economic collaboration.
The planned events will also include a business forum and a fashion show by Nineteen57, blending traditional and modern Ghanaian styles.
This will be Ace-Liam’s second international art exhibition after his debut in Barbados at the GUBA Awards.
In 2025, he received an award at the UK Parliament House of Commons as a Global Child Prodigy in Arts. He was also awarded the Kid Creator of the Year at the Creators Awards Ghana 2025.
In a related development, Ace-Liam Ankrah has been recognised as a Young Achiever in the Guinness World Records Book 2026 edition, becoming the youngest achiever in the organisation’s 70-year history.
Featured in the special anniversary edition marking seven decades of global excellence, Ace-Liam joins a distinguished group of record holders and global icons such as Simone Biles, Usain Bolt, and Dolly Parton. His achievements have made a lasting impact worldwide, capturing international attention through the extraordinary power of early childhood creativity.
This latest recognition by Guinness World Records marks a defining milestone not only for Ace-Liam, but also for Ghana and the African creative community. It highlights the importance of nurturing creativity from an early age and demonstrates the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when talent is supported and allowed to flourish.
Reacting to this news, Ace-Liam’s Mother/Manager Chantelle Kuukua Eghan remarked, ‘Ace-Liam being featured in the 2026 Guinness World Records Book as a Young Achiever is a dream come true. I feel blessed and super excited to be his mother. This is not just a win for him, but a win for all kids in the world.’’
Ace-Liam’s artistic journey began at just six months old when his mother, Ghanaian visual artist Chantelle Kuukua, laid out a canvas and paints to keep him engaged while she worked on a commissioned piece.
What began as a simple moment of curiosity quickly revealed something remarkable. Within minutes, he created his first artwork, later titled The Crawl, a vibrant expression that marked the beginning of an exceptional creative path.
Edem Mensah –Tsotorme
