Two Ghanaian creative organisations, Bambu Heritage Productions and Africa Arts Network (AAN), have signed a Master Cooperation Agreement to strengthen collaboration and contribute to the growth of the country’s theatre and cultural industries.
The agreement brings together the organisations in a long-term partnership covering theatre production, cultural exchange, industry advocacy and the development of performance spaces.
The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Abdul Moomen Muslim, Chief Creative Officer of Bambu Heritage Productions, and Kofi Adinkra, Founder and Executive Director of Africa Arts Network, alongside members of their respective teams.
Beyond the formalities, the event provided an opportunity for both leaders to outline their shared vision for an industry in which collaboration, rather than competition, drives growth.
A shared vision for the creative arts
Both organisations recognise that although Ghana has considerable creative talent, the industry continues to face challenges relating to resources, infrastructure and opportunities for artistic expression.
They believe that closer collaboration among creative organisations can help address these challenges by combining expertise, networks and resources to create more opportunities for artists and audiences.
Chief Abdul Moomen Muslim, Chief Creative Officer of Bambu Heritage Productions, said the partnership reflected a commitment to building a stronger creative industry.
“Our industry is full of talent and stories the world needs to see. What it needs is organisations willing to build together. This partnership with Africa Arts Network is our commitment to doing exactly that,” he said.
Kofi Adinkra, Founder and Executive Director of Africa Arts Network, said collaboration would enable the organisations to combine their strengths in support of Ghana’s creative community.
“No single organisation can build the creative economy Africa deserves alone. Partnering with Bambu Heritage lets us combine our networks, our craft and our ambition in service of Ghana’s artists and audiences,” he said.
Bambu Heritage Productions is known for its heritage-inspired theatre productions and commitment to telling African stories through compelling stage performances.
Africa Arts Network, meanwhile, brings a pan-African outlook and experience spanning live performance, film and digital storytelling.
The partnership is expected to draw on these complementary strengths to expand production opportunities and strengthen the reach of African stories.
Four key areas of collaboration
The Master Cooperation Agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in four main areas.
Joint productions
The organisations will explore opportunities to develop and stage productions together, combining their creative expertise and resources.
One of the early projects under consideration is Nkrumah Showboy, Bambu Heritage Productions’ musical theatre production celebrating the life and legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The partners hope to stage the production in 2027 as part of activities marking Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence.
Pan-African Theatre Festival
Bambu Heritage Productions will serve as a key partner of the Pan-African Theatre Festival, which Africa Arts Network plans to lead in March 2027.
Its participation will include a major festival performance, among other activities.
The collaboration aims to position the festival as a platform for Pan-African theatrical expression, cultural exchange and the development of the African theatre industry.
Industry advocacy
The two organisations will work together to advocate policies and fiscal measures that create a more supportive environment for the creative sector.
Their efforts will focus on encouraging incentives and other forms of support to make theatre and live performance more sustainable for producers, artists and investors.
Cultural infrastructure
The partners will also explore opportunities to develop and programme cultural infrastructure, including theatres, performance venues and cultural centres.
They believe access to suitable spaces for creating, rehearsing and presenting work is essential to the long-term development of Ghana’s theatre industry.
Strengthening Ghana’s creative economy
The agreement comes at a time of growing interest in Ghana’s creative economy and renewed attention to the country’s history, culture and identity.
By bringing together a production company focused on heritage and African storytelling with a network operating across stage, screen and digital platforms, the partnership seeks to demonstrate how creative organisations can work together while maintaining their independence and distinct identities.
The initiative also creates opportunities for wider industry participation. Artists, technicians, cultural institutions, sponsors, investors and audiences are expected to play important roles as projects under the agreement take shape.
What comes next?
Further details about planned productions, the Pan-African Theatre Festival programme and opportunities for collaboration will be announced through the organisations’ official channels in the coming months.
The two organisations hope their partnership will contribute to a stronger creative ecosystem, create more platforms for African stories and expand opportunities for Ghanaian artists.
