About

The elegant and imposing National Theatre has a complicated construction moulding and novel exterior features. When looked at from a distance, the whole structure looks like a gigantic ship or a seagull spreading its wings. It has a building area of 11,896 square metres and is located near the junction of the Independence Avenue and the Liberia Road.

The Theatre is divided into four main parts;

Part A is the audience wing of the main auditorium. It houses a three tier entrance hall and a three tier 1492 seater auditorium. This wing also houses the Theatre\'s main bar and a huge first floor terrace overlooking the forecourt and car park. The Directors observation room, lighting control, film projection and sound rooms as well as a presidential box can also be found here.

Part B comprises the Open air theatre, Restaurant, fire detection control room, carpentry and set/props construction room, Two rehearsal/activity halls and plant and mavhinery rooms.

Part C houses the VIP area with its two lounges, Chinese styled garden and utility rooms; the massive exhibition/Service hall and the main airconditioning and electrical plant and machinery rooms.

Part D with the tallest part of the building (ceiling and roof of the stage) also houses the main stage, ndressing rooms, costume construction and storage rooms and administrative offices.

The National Theatre was established by the National Theatre Law, PNDCL 259, 1992 and was officially inaugurated on December 30, 1992. The Theatre was born out of a technical co-operation Agreement signed on September 18, 1985 in Beijing between the Governments of the Republic of Ghana and the People\'s Republic of China. The latter Government provided the funding for the construction of the National Theatre building, which was completed on December 20, 1992.

The PNDC law 259 outlined the major objectives of the Theatre to include the following:

  1. To promote and develop the performing arts in Ghana.
  2. To formulate criteria and conditions to regulate performance by Ghanaian and international artistes and troupes
  3. To establish Theatres in such parts of the country as the Government of Ghana may deem fit
  4. To develop and promote a strongly integrated national culture through the performing arts
  5. To assist in formulating an effective export promotion programme of works in the performing arts produced in Ghana and
  6. To engage in other functions as the Government of Ghana may assign it.

The law provides under article 7, that there will be three resident groups, namely

  1. The National Symphony Orchestra
  2. The National Dance Company and
  3. The National Drama Company

The law also provides for the appointment of a Board of Directors and key officers of the Theatre, including, an Executive Director, two Deputies(Finance and Administration and Artistic), and Directors for Administration, Dance, Drama, Music and Technical).

There are nine departments namely;

  • Administration
  • Programmes
  • Technical
  • Accounts
  • Public Relations and Marketing
  • Front of House
  • Estate
  • Security
  • Internal Audit

Contacts Services Support