World Theatre Day: Globe Productions CEO calls for increased investment in Ghana's theatre industry
The CEO of Globe Productions, Latif Abubakar, has called on stakeholders in Ghana's theatre industry to invest more resources in the sector.
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Abubakar believes that theatre can serve as a means of revenue generation and foreign exchange if given the right support.
He urged the government and private sector to commit technical and financial resources to propel the industry to international heights and stressed that theatre practitioners must also put in their best to complement the efforts of the government and the private sector.
Abubakar, who has partnered with international organizations such as the Spanish Embassy, Star-Ghana, UK Aid, DANIDA, and the European Union, believes that Ghana's theatre industry has the talent and potential to be showcased on the world stage.
He revealed his intention to take Ghana's theatre industry international with Globe Productions, citing the company's experience and determination to make it happen.
As a theatre company focused on theatre for development, Globe Productions has 16 plays to its credit, which have been performed 76 times across Ghana to an audience base of about 40,000.
With its strategic vision of implementing tri-annual plays, Globe is currently the fastest-growing theatre company in Ghana with the widest coverage.
Abubakar's written and produced works include "I can't think far," a non-violence campaign towards the 2016 election sponsored by Star-Ghana, UK Aid, DANIDA, and the European Union. He also produced "Saint and Sinners," which focused on galamsey and was sponsored by WaterAid Ghana and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey. Another impactful work was "Men don die," a road safety campaign sponsored by the National Road Safety Commission.
Abubakar's latest work, "The Second Coming of Nkrumah," is expected to go on a world tour in selected countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Spain, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Morocco.
Abubakar gained international recognition via an interview on BBC World Service on the topic "Resurgence of Theatre in Africa." He is credited with staging the world's first live virtual plays on COVID-19, with a record of 3.5 million views across various social media platforms.
World Theatre Day, initiated by the International Theatre Institute in 1961, has been celebrated annually since 1962 as a global celebration that fosters the values of theatre as an art form.
The day is also set aside to commemorate the art form "theatre," celebrated by ITI centres, cooperating members, theatre professionals, universities, organizations, and enthusiasts.
Theatre practitioners call on the government, politicians, institutions, and individuals to realize the potential of theatre to improve every aspect of life.