The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has revealed that discussions are ongoing with the Chinese Ambassador for a possible collaboration to renovate the National Theatre of Ghana.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with TV3’s Naa Ashorkor on Thursday, September 11, 2025, the Minister explained that detailed paperwork had already been prepared, outlining the requirements for restoring the theatre.
Dzifa Gomashie acknowledged that the iconic facility, which was built through a partnership with China in the early 1990s, has significantly deteriorated over the years and now requires urgent refurbishment.
“The first Ambassador I met in this office was the Chinese Ambassador for this reason… I called him and put before him the fact that it is the image of China and Ghana’s relationship. This is what shows tangibly. He asked me to do the paperwork on what it entails to renovate or restore it to its past glory, which we have done,” she said.
The Minister noted that while China has not given a firm commitment yet, discussions remain positive.
“They haven’t said no and haven’t given me a solid yes. They are looking at it. He has to send it back to his country. I have had to start this communication on a clean slate with the Ambassador and I am very hopeful that in good time, we will get the response that we need,” Dzifa Gomashie added.
She stressed that the project is capital-intensive, but vital to preserving Ghana’s cultural identity and boosting the creative sector.
The National Theatre, which was inaugurated in 1992, has long served as a symbol of Ghana’s artistic and cultural expression. However, over three decades of use without major renovation has left the facility in need of extensive repairs.
According to the Minister, restoring the theatre “to the standard that we want” would not only preserve its legacy but also strengthen the cultural bond between Ghana and China.
