The government has announced plans to establish a second National Theatre in Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti Region, as part of efforts to expand Ghana’s cultural infrastructure.
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie disclosed the plan on August 10, 2026 during the recent Government Accountability Series hearing.
“We plan to build a second National Theatre in Kumasi,” she said.
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Abla Dzifa Gomashie said that government’s immediate priority is to complete an existing theatre and cultural centre project already underway in Kumasi, rather than begin construction on a new facility. The decision followed her inspection of theatre spaces and Centres for National Culture in the region.
“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. “The 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.”
Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie also revealed that Accra’s National Theatre, opened in 1992 as Ghana’s flagship performing arts venue, will undergo refurbishment. The initiative forms part of government’s effort to modernize cultural spaces and strengthen the tourism and creative arts sectors.
For decades, the National Theatre in Accra has hosted drama, music, and dance productions, serving as the country’s primary stage for the performing arts. The addition of a major facility in Kumasi is expected to ease pressure on the capital’s venue while giving the Ashanti Region a dedicated hub for cultural expression.
Once completed, the Kumasi theatre is expected to provide access to large-scale performing arts spaces, create opportunities for regional productions, serve as a platform for emerging talent, and boost local tourism by positioning Kumasi as a cultural destination alongside its historical landmarks.