Government Announces Plans for Second National Theatre in Kumasi

The government has announced plans to establish a second National Theatre in Kumasi as part of efforts to expand Ghana’s cultural and creative arts infrastructure.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, disclosed the plan during the Accountability Series on Monday, August 10, 2026.

According to the Minister, while the government intends to build a new National Theatre in Kumasi, its immediate priority is to complete an existing theatre and Centre for National Culture project in the Ashanti Region.

Ms Gomashie said she recently toured the region’s theatre and Centre for National Culture facilities and subsequently proposed to Cabinet that the government focus on completing the abandoned or unfinished project rather than immediately starting a new one.

“I took a tour of the Ashanti Region’s theatre and Centre for National Culture spaces. I have suggested to Cabinet that instead of starting a new one, we focus on finishing what has been started,” she said.

She added that Cabinet had approved the proposal, paving the way for work on the existing facility to continue.

“And Cabinet is in approval of that suggestion. So that is what is going to happen, and if the opportunity comes, we start a new one,” she added.

The Minister also announced plans to rehabilitate the existing National Theatre in Accra as part of efforts to improve Ghana’s cultural infrastructure.

The proposed Kumasi National Theatre is expected to increase access to major cultural and performing arts facilities in the Ashanti Region while providing additional space for activities within the country’s creative arts sector.

Ms Gomashie said the initiatives form part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen tourism, culture and the creative arts through infrastructure development and the creation of spaces that promote cultural expression and creative production