The National Theatre’s Board Chairman, Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ofori-Atta, has identified the facility’s current situation as a major worry for the board and management.
He stated that steps are being initiated to gather funding for its much-needed renovation.
Workers organised a demonstration to voice their dissatisfaction with the theatre’s deteriorating state and delayed promotions. In a news conference, he explained management’s efforts to raise financing for the critical refurbishing project.
Dissatisfied with media stories suggesting mismanagement by the Executive Director, as stated by protesting employees, Atta emphasised the board’s commitment to resolving these problems while urging the media to be cautious.
The National Theatre, once a beacon of cultural splendour, is now in ruins. The auditorium’s broken seats and broken air conditioners provide a bleak picture. Workers characterise the facility as a “death trap” since it is difficult and dangerous to work in.
The disgruntled employees also complained about stagnated promotions that had lasted over a decade and unpaid allowances. Furthermore, there is a collective request for the Executive Director’s ouster, claiming obligatory retirement as the basis for this demand.
In response to these concerns, the board chairman stated his plan to keep the present Executive Director on contract while aggressively seeking a replacement. Taking into mind the tough conditions, he says that this decision is in the best interests of the National Theatre.
“The deterioration didn’t start this year. It didn’t start last year. It’s been there long ago. In that period, proper infrastructure maintenance has been done, I think twice. So that’s a problem, and you know you can’t use GH¢500,000 to maintain this place,” he stressed.
He went on to say, “What we needed was funding, and it’s not as simple as that.” We must examine the system and budget for it.”
As the theatre faces internal issues, the board’s commitment to preserving its survival remains at the top of its agenda, he stressed.
The institution’s operators have come under fire for not doing more to rehabilitate the building.
