Ama Ata Aidoo’s Dilemma of a Ghost Staged at National Theatre, Explores Cultural Clashes.
From Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8, the National Theatre in Accra hosted a powerful staging of Ama Ata Aidoo’s classic play, Dilemma of a Ghost, brought to life by playwright and director Fiifi Coleman and his Fiifi Coleman Production team.
The thought-provoking production skillfully tackled themes of cultural identity, tradition, and relationships. It tells the story of Ato Yawson, a Ghanaian student who returns from studying abroad with his African-American wife, Eulalie. Their homecoming quickly becomes a clash of cultures, especially as Eulalie struggles to adapt to the expectations and customs of Ato’s traditional Ghanaian family.
A key tension arises when Ato asks Eulalie to delay having children so they can enjoy married life—a decision that confounds his family, who expect a baby soon after the wedding. Misunderstanding the delay, Ato’s family blames Eulalie for their childlessness and bring fertility herbs to help her conceive. Ato intervenes, clarifying that it was a joint decision and that his wife is not barren.
These misunderstandings and cultural clashes fuel conflict between Eulalie and her in-laws, revealing deep-seated differences between their worlds.
The cast featured top-tier talent, including veteran actors David Dontoh and Fred Amugi, along with Roselyn Ngissah and Adjetey Anang. Their performances were compelling, with particularly strong portrayals of Ato’s mother and grandmother, whose authenticity brought the matriarchal Fante dynamic to life. The chemistry between the leads made the emotional tension of their struggles both palpable and relatable.
Audiences resonated strongly with the production’s exploration of intercultural marriage, generational expectations, and identity. The set design and costuming captured the look and feel of a Ghanaian village, while traditional music and dance elements immersed viewers in the cultural atmosphere.
In all, Dilemma of a Ghost was a moving, insightful reflection on the human condition—highlighting the enduring relevance of Ama Ata Aidoo’s work and the continued complexity of navigating multiple cultural worlds in modern relationships.