The modernisation of the National Theatre into a 21st century cultural hub has seen a major boost with a visit by the Assistant Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Zhang Li, to the facility.
The visit forms part of ongoing discussions between Ghana and China on the rehabilitation of the iconic facility and marks another step in the longstanding cultural and economic partnership between the two countries.
Mr Zhang Li was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Cong Song, Economic Counsellor Mr Li Yaohong, and other officials from the Chinese Embassy and Ministry of Commerce.
The Ghanaian delegation included the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, the Board Chairperson of the National Theatre, Ms Korkor Amarteifio, Executive Director, Mr Henry Herbert Malm, as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Ministry of Finance and Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL).
Discussions focused on the planned modernisation of the National Theatre, with the Chinese side reaffirming its commitment to upgrading the facility to meet contemporary global standards for the performing arts.
The rehabilitation is expected to include structural upgrades, modern acoustic installations, improved lighting systems and enhanced digital capabilities.
Officials from AESL and the relevant ministries also reviewed preliminary technical requirements for the project to ensure the rehabilitation aligns with Ghana’s tourism and creative arts development agenda.
The National Theatre, which was constructed in the early 1990s as a gift from the People’s Republic of China, has remained a major landmark in Ghana’s cultural landscape.
Its planned transformation is expected to preserve the facility’s historical significance while equipping it with modern infrastructure to serve Ghana’s creative arts sector for years to come.
