National Theatre thrills patrons with ‘EFU PƆNKƆ’

Theatre enthusiasts who flocked the National Theatre of Ghana last week were treated to a total Theatre Production dubbed “EFU PƆNKƆ”.

‘EFU PƆNKƆ’ is a folk story based on the music composed by the late Bob Cole entitled, “Ɛdwen ɖɛɛ ɛre yɛ me”.

This production used the folk story as a metaphor in total theatre to highlight challenges facing the country, including illegal mining popularly known as “Galamsey” which has been identified as the major source of water pollution.

The Theatre showed how sediments deposited into water bodies during illegal mining with heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead which is toxic to aquatic life and humans.

The educative performance also demonstrated complications associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The act , mostly carried out on young girls and adolescents, is influenced by a mix of sociocultural factors within families and communities.

It also looked at open Defecation, improper disposal of waste, littering of plastics and sand winning which are major threat to the environment.

Another issue that was dramatized was school dropouts and the consequences on the children.

These include premature sexual activity, early pregnancy, delinquency, crime, violence, and drug abuse.

It also highlighted different categories of continuous conflicts such as chieftaincy succession, and land disputes , which sometimes deteriorate into serious violence conflicts to destabilize the peace of the nation.

The production had a blend of percussive dance styles and dramatised sketches with narrations incorporated with aesthetic melodies.

It was presented by the National Theatre of Ghana through its residence groups – National Dance Company, National Drama Company, and National Symphony Orchestra, and in collaboration with the Ghana Concert Party.

The production is part of efforts the National Theatre is making to fulfill its mandate, which is to develop and promote the performing arts in Ghana.

Each year, the three resident groups come together to produce a piece that is steeped in the Abibigro concept, with a high standard of artistic expression, which focused on projecting the Nation’s positive cultural values.

By Joyce Bekoe