Entertainment
All you need to know about Ghana Theatre Festival 2023
The National Theatre of Ghana will host the 8th edition of its Ghana Theatre Festival from 26th September to 1st October 2023, with a theme: “Celebrating Ghanaian culture and heritage through partnerships and linkages.”
The annually celebrated Arts Festival is a unique event designed to feature the work of different artists and performing arts groups in Ghana, by offering them the platform to exhibit their works and talents and to build their capabilities in Theatre Production.
The Arts Festival also offers potential Theatre audiences diverse quality productions at an affordable cost, and hopefully builds a dedicated audience for theatre events at the National Theatre and Ghana as a whole.
The Ghana Arts Festival is loaded with varied theatrical products intended to thrill patrons.
Events lined up for the festival include a Theatre programme for schools (Son of Umbelle), a fashion show, a film show, Stand-up Comedy, drama and an art exhibition to showcase authentic artefacts and other made-in-Ghana products.
Other events are “GHROBICS “, an aerobic exercise performed through the use of traditional dances fused with drumming and music for a total body workout to improve physical fitness and overall sense of well-being.
GHROBICS also helps one to acquire traditional dance and movement skills.
The Festival will be heralded by a special total theatre performance featuring all three resident groups of the National Theatre, (National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Drama Company) on September 29, 2023, at 7 p.m.
The production, EFU PƆNKƆ is a folk story based on music composed by the late Bob Cole “Edwen dee ereye me.”
Other participating groups in the Festival are Agape Arts Production, 2 idiots production, Department of Fashion Design and Textiles ( Accra Technical University), Ghana Academy of Films and Television Arts, EN Academy, Addis Dance, 2 Cute Entertainment, Robdy’s Production, and Visual Arts Students Empowerment Project.
With productions for different ages in all performing arts areas there is bound to be a production to meet your needs. The Theatre for Development production targets audiences including basic and senior high school students, and there are other productions for tertiary students and adults with a passion for the performing arts.
All productions within the festival have a goal of projecting positive National values and towards the National Theatre’s efforts to fulfill its mandate, “to develop and promote the performing arts in Ghana.”
Entertainment
Prophet Atarah opens new studio, launches Atarah Praise 2025
Prophet Joseph Atarah has launched his annual event aimed at bringing believers together in an atmosphere of worship and praise.
The theme for this edition is ‘Restoration’ with the belief that patrons would be restored in the face of their challenges.
The programme will be in two parts, with the first scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom at 5pm on May 11, at Pleasant Place Church.
The Ghana edition will take place at the forecourt of Believer’s Grace Crown Ministry International, Bond Square, Adenta Barrier, at 4pm on May 25.
Prophet Atarah has paraded Piesie Esther, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Nana Yaw Asare and Mavis Asante among others for the Ghana edition.
For the UK edition, patrons will enjoy performances from Kofi Owusu Peprah, Kobby Mantey, Emmanuel Smith, and Ern Ruthy.
Speaking at the launch, Prophet Atarah said, God has been good throughout last year, and 2025 has started on a positive note.
Against this backdrop, he wants to bring believers together and, in unity, to praise God.
He said, like what happened last year, a lot of miracles will take place.
In a related development, Prophet Atarah also commissioned a new studio for rehearsals and live recordings.
This, he said, was not limited to him, but open to every musician across all genres.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Empress Gifty to thrill patrons at MTN Stands In Worship on Easter Sunday
Ghanaian gospel heavyweight, Empress Gifty is set to thrill thousands at this year’s MTN Stands In Worship event.
The programme brings believers together annually to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ.
This year’s edition, slated for the Grand Arena on Sunday, April 20, will feature Empress Gifty.
Against this backdrop, the anointed gospel musician has urged all patrons to come with a heart of worship and praise.
She is optimistic that a lot of miracles will happen through the ministration.
“Through our ministrations instant miracles will happen and you are going to have an encounter with God,” she told The Spectator.
Empress Gifty again appealed to patrons not to come alone, but with their families and friends to receive blessings.
Empress Gifty, who had a big song dubbed Watch Me, has been nominated in the Best Traditional Gospel Song of the Year and Gospel Artiste of the Year categories at this year’s 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
