Renowned Ghanaian playwright and theatre scholar, Dr. Mohammed ben Abdallah, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the age of 81.
His daughter, Dr. Akosua Abdallah, a veteran actress and lecturer at the University of Ghana, confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Friday, September 19, 2025. In line with Islamic customs, Dr. Abdallah will be laid to rest on Friday after Jumu’ah prayers in Kumasi, with a three-day Dua also scheduled in the city.
In her tribute, Dr. Akosua Abdallah wrote:
“Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return). With deep sorrow and a heavy heart, I announce the passing of my beloved father, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Abdallah, who returned to his Maker yesterday. A man of wisdom, humility, and unwavering faith, he served his people, his family, and his country with honour and grace. He will be laid to rest today, Friday, following Jumu’ah prayers in Kumasi. The three-day Dua will also be held in Kumasi, with further details of the Accra arrangements to be shared later. Please remember him in your prayers. May Allah forgive his shortcomings, illuminate his grave, and grant him the highest rank in Jannah. Ameen.”
Born on April 25, 1944, in Kumasi, Dr. Abdallah pursued an illustrious academic journey. He obtained a Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ from Wesley College, Kumasi, before earning a diploma in Drama and Theatre Studies from the University of Ghana, Legon. He later advanced his studies in the United States, completing an MFA in Theatre Arts at the University of Georgia in 1976 and a PhD in Theatre Arts at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980.
As a pioneering figure in Ghana’s cultural landscape, Dr. Abdallah was instrumental in the establishment of the National Theatre of Ghana. He supervised its construction, designed its organizational framework, and set up its resident companies, including the National Drama Company, National Dance Company, and the Pan-African Orchestra. He also served as Head of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana.
Dr. Abdallah’s theatre style was a distinctive blend of traditional African performance and European elements, often infused with postcolonial themes. His celebrated works include:
Major Productions:
- The Trial of Mallam Ilya (1982–1983)
- Verdict of the Cobra (1984–present)
- The Slaves (1984–1985)
- The Fall of Kumbi
Publications:
- The Trial of Mallam Ilya and Other Plays (1987)
- Land of a Million Magicians (1993)
Beyond theatre, Dr. Abdallah also contributed to national policy. He served as Secretary for Education and Culture under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in the 1980s and 1990s, during which he oversaw the implementation of the National Education Reform Programme aimed at widening access and improving quality in education.
With his passing, Ghana loses not only a playwright of extraordinary vision but also a cultural architect whose influence shaped both the arts and education for generations.