The National Theatre of Ghana has officially launched the Ghana Theatre Festival 2025, an annual celebration of the performing arts that highlights the creativity and talent of artistes and groups across the country.
The six-day festival, scheduled for September 23 to 28, aims to strengthen the production capacity of theatre practitioners while providing a platform for performers to showcase their skills. It also seeks to bring together theatre lovers and the wider public in a celebration of Ghana’s cultural identity.
According to Henry Herbert Malm, Acting Executive Director of the National Theatre, the festival is designed to celebrate and promote Ghana’s cultural diversity in line with the Theatre’s core mandate.
“The public should expect fun, exhibition of culture, theatre like never before, and they should come and recognise who they are. We expect to put the best out there as far as theatre is concerned,” Mr. Malm said.
The festival will feature exhibition booths where audiences can interact with artistes, learn about their works, and explore investment opportunities in the creative industry. The event’s theme is: “Showcasing the Rich Diversity of Ghanaian Culture through the Performing Arts.”
Highlights of the programme include ‘Legends Night,’ where key contributors to Ghana’s creative and performing arts will be honoured. Senior High Schools will also perform, giving students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and encouraging the growth of theatre among the youth.
Other activities will include arts exhibitions, food bazaars, live paintings, dance aerobics, and a symposium on arts taxation focusing on how Ghana’s current tax regime impacts the cultural and creative industries.
Performances will come from the Ghana Dance Ensemble, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Drama Company, alongside partners such as the Department of Music and School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Benarackor Consult, Images Bureau, and April Communications.
Rev. Michael Antonio, Head of Performing Arts at the Centre for National Culture, revealed that they are partnering with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Roverman Productions to inspire a love for theatre among young people, with special events set for September 24.
Desmond Ali Alhassan Gassanga, Regional Cultural Coordinator for Greater Accra at the GES, added that the festival would help strengthen the Creative Arts and Design subject while enhancing cultural education across schools.
The Ghana Theatre Festival 2025 promises to be a dynamic cultural experience that combines entertainment, education, and business opportunities, positioning the arts as a vital part of Ghana’s national development.
