Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has renewed the party’s pledge to advance Ghana’s creative sector by building a new national theatre in Kumasi if the NDC wins the upcoming elections.
Speaking with creatives in Kumasi on Tuesday, November, Mahama emphasized the party’s dedication to creating a vibrant space for artists and content creators outside Accra.
During the discussion, Mahama highlighted that this commitment to Kumasi’s creative community was first outlined in the NDC’s 2020 manifesto. Despite being out of office, he assured stakeholders that the NDC’s vision remains unchanged, reaffirming that “we have not reneged on our promise, and we are repeating that if we come into power, we will build our second theatre in Kumasi.”
Mahama also discussed the deteriorating condition of the National Theatre in Accra, a venue built with Chinese support during Jerry Rawlings’s tenure. He pointed out that the facility now struggles with malfunctioning curtains and a stage in disrepair, impacting its ability to serve the industry.
“A lot of things are in bad shape at the theatre. The curtains cannot be drawn, and the stage is in bad shape, so it is time for us to rehabilitate the building to help the creative industry,” Mahama said. He outlined plans to modernize the theatre with new equipment, transforming it into a state-of-the-art creative hub capable of supporting artists nationwide.
The NDC’s proposal for a second national theatre in Kumasi represents a significant step toward regional inclusivity in Ghana’s creative industry, a move Mahama believes will strengthen and diversify the nation’s cultural landscape.
