National Theatre Movement of Ghana

Ghanaian culture is rich with customs, traditions, and rituals, which are deeply rooted within the nation’s history and have shaped its development. They have had a huge impact upon Ghana’s theatrical history and helped to define Ghanaian theatre following its independence from Britain in 1957. This guide will explore the development of Ghanaian theatre and key influential playwrights and organizations.

Terminology

• Abibigromma: the national drama company of Ghana’s National Theatre.
• Accra: the capital city of Ghana.
• Akan people: the largest ethnic group in both Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
• Anansegoro: a literary dramatic form developed by Efua Sutherland.
• Anansi: a trickster character in Ghanaian storytelling, often taking the form of a spider.
• Bilingualism: fluency in or use of two languages.
• Colonial rule: the policy or practice of a wealthy or powerful nation's maintaining or extending its control over other countries.
• Griots: storytellers in the ancient kingdom of Ghana.

Key Dates & Events

• 1924 -1966 - Lifetime of Efua Theodora Sutherland.
• 1957 - Colonial rule came to an end and the new nation of Ghana came into existence.
• 1960 - The experimental Ghana Drama Studio opened.
• 1968 - Efua Sutherland established the Kusum Players (Kusum Agoromba), a touring theatre company.
• 1983 - The National Theatre Company was established to continue Sutherland’s theatrical research and experimentation.
• 1992 - The National Theatre of Ghana was constructed.