The National Theatre Board, being the last amongst 11 boards to be constituted under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, was on Tuesday, February 27, put in place as required by law.
The nine-member board which had Nana Fredua Agyemang Ofori Atta as Chairman and eminent linguistics Professor at the University of Ghana, widely known as Opanyi Agyekum as one of the members, was tasks to help roll out innovative ideas of building theatres in the remaining nine regions.
Sector Minister, Catherine Abelema Afeku who sworn the board into office, challenged them in her words of encouragement to lure the corporate institutions and entities into partnership with the Ministry with their rich experience. And that having theatres in the regions is not even enough but would love to have them in all districts.
And that with our heterogeneous nature and cultural diversity, such facilities would help identify budding talents, groom them to become national assets for development.
"We are a nation of ten regions with different tribes, so many ethnic groups, and they all have their unique cultural practices. The theatres can become the house for the display of such uniqueness as well as sharing of our diversity", she said.
The MP for Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira, however, cautioned the board against usurpation of role and responsibilities of the Management of the edifice. And that often times, many institutions don't perform at their optimal level due to conflicts between the board and management.
She further tasked the Executive Director of the National Theatre, Amy Appiah-Frimpong to work assiduously to solve the huge perennial utility bills that nearly take them out of operation.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board, Nana Fredua Agyemang Ofori Atta who accepted the Minister's challenge pledged that members would live up to the task and called on the Ministry to also support them with all that they need.
According to him, culture in Ghana is under threat and the National Theatre Act 1991, PNDC Law 259 empowers them to develop culture through performing arts and plays, hence would leave no stone unturned in the mist of opportunities available.
Ghana |Atinkaonline.com| Patrick Ofoe Nudzi