Today, March 27, marks World Theatre Day that is celebrated across the world under the auspices of the International Theatre Institue (ITI) and deputy minister for arts and culture Mark Okraku Mantey has singled out some personalities, praising them for their contribution to the sector in the country.
Since 1962, World Theatre Day has been celebrated by ITI Centres, ITI Cooperating Members, theatre professionals, theatre organizations, theatre universities, and theatre lovers all over the world on the 27th of March.
This day is a celebration for those who can see the value and importance of the art form “theatre”, and acts as a wake-up-call for governments, politicians, and institutions that have not yet recognized its value to the people and to the individual and have not yet realized its potential for economic growth.
In a video message delivered by the deputy minister, he acknowledged the problems affecting Ghana’s theatre industry and assured that the government was taking steps to address these issues.
He lauded the efforts of personalities like Dr Akosua Abdallah, Uncle Ebo Whyte, Naa Ashorkor, amongst others.
He said “as we commemorate World Theatre Day, I will like to say ‘ayekoo’ to all practitioners and members of the International Theater Institute (ITI) in Ghana. Your craft has the potential to create sustainable employment, for many solving the social-economic problem of unemployment.”
“We acknowledge some of the challenges in the industry and the first one is the data on the industry. The Ministry of tourism and culture led by Dr Awal Mohammed is taking steps to put together data collection for this industry and the creative economy at large. It is going to help us take feasible decisions for the sector. ”
He went on to announce that “there are plans to help expand the market internally and internationally so that the embassies, agents can help us with external business which will broaden the scope for the people in the theatre business. There are plans to give financial support to SMEs in the theater industry as well as create platforms internally and externally, so practitioners can build their capacity.”
Eulogizing key players in the industry, Mr Okraku Mantey mentioned “we cannot speak on a day like this and not recognizes those who have held the fort over the years in theatre. The National Theatre of Ghana fraternity, Nii Commey Adbul Latif. Naa Ashorkor, George Quaye, Uncle Ebo Whyte and the Roverman, thank you for your handwork over the years, with others ”
“I say congrats to Dr Akosua Abdallah and Fiifi Coleman-led team for keeping this creative group running in the midst of all the challenges you are facing. I look forward to further engagements that will develop the unique art forms that originate from Ghana,” he added/