Playwright and CEO of Globe Productions, Latif Abubakar, says Ghana’s theatre industry has made progress, but still enjoys only “about 37% acceptance” among the public despite increased activity and new entrants.
Speaking on Starr Showbiz with Feeling Daddy on Starr 103.5 FM, Latif Abubakar said audience understanding and participation in theatre remain low, even though more production houses and young creatives are emerging. According to him, this growth has helped the industry rise from an estimated 15% a few years ago to the current 37%, but the sector is still far from where it should be.
“So, people have heard it now, but a lot of people have not attended any production. They’ve not been to the theatres. They’ve not even been to the drama studio. They’ve not been to wherever we do performances.” He noted. “At every show, when I ask how many people are watching theatre for the first time, you see a lot of hands. It tells you we have a very long way to go…”
The playwright credited industry pioneers like Uncle Ebo Whyte and the late Dr. Mohammed Ben Abdallah, as well as new playwrights such as Kobina Ansah, Clemento Suarez and others, for helping expand the space. However, he stressed that acceptance remains limited because theatre in Ghana still battles funding difficulties, high production costs, inadequate venues, and low audience awareness.
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He described the lack of government support over the years as a significant setback, especially when compared to the attention given to film.
“There’s funding for film, there’s film pitch competitions, but we’ve never had theatre pitch in this country,” he said. “Subsequent governments have hardly paid attention to theatre, even though it preserves our culture and nurtures future generations.”
Abubakar also pointed to the high cost of venues, limited performance spaces, and competition for December dates as major barriers preventing more Ghanaians from experiencing live theatre.
Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful, citing the surge of energetic young producers and recent government signals; including plans to renovate the National Theatre and build a new one; as encouraging signs.
“…We will get there. With what I’m seeing and the young, energetic, talented, creative producers and writers now in the space, you will be seeing magic in Ghana.” He said. “Very soon, theatre will become number one in Ghana’s entertainment industry.”
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Latif Abubakar is set to present the musical version of his successful play, The Second Coming of Nkrumah, on December 29 at the Accra International Conference Centre as part of the African Festival umbrella.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
