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.
Award-winning Ghanaian musician, Michael Owusu Addo, affectionately called Sarkodie has described his annual event, Rapperholic concert as bigger than just a music event, highlighting its significant economic impact.
In a post after a successful Rapperholic edition in Kumasi, the rapper noted that the concert stimulates economic activity across Kumasi, Accra and the wider Ghanaian economy.
According to him, this is driven through tourism, hospitality, transportation, food, fashion, media, advertising, employment and the creative supply chain.
“The economic value of this concert extends far beyond ticket sales. It includes visitor spending, revenue for local businesses, temporary jobs created, suppliers paid and the future tourism and commercial opportunities generated by the event,” he stated.
Sarkodie called on government and the private sector to seize the opportunity to build an ecosystem where Ghanaian entertainment generates measurable economic value, supports businesses, creates jobs and attracts visitors.
“Let’s invest in our creative economy. The potential goes far beyond the stage,” he added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Multiple award-winning dancehall artiste Emmanuel Andrew Samini popularly known as Samini is set to return to his Dansoman base with the much-anticipated Samini Experience on December 24.
The musician, who has nurtured top talents from the community in the past, says this year’s edition will be held in collaboration with the Dansoman Homecoming Carnival, to make the event bigger.
Speaking to the media at Kegali Hotel during a press launch on Friday, October 16, Samini said activities including a clean-up exercise, health walk, Children’s Day and games will take place from December 18 ahead of the main event.
According to him, the choice of Dansoman is to give back to the community where it all started.
He added that the event was also aimed at nurturing future talents by giving them a platform to showcase their abilities.
He disclosed that some music legends from Dansoman and other big names in the music industry will be on the bill to thrill patrons.
Samini also revealed that the Dansoman Exhibition streets will be blocked to make way for the unforgettable night of music.
He expressed appreciation to the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly for their collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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