As part of this year’s celebration of Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday, the Africa Arts Network, in partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, will stage a musical play titled The Black Star (The Teacher of Africa). The production runs from Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21 at the Commonwealth Hall Amphitheatre, University of Ghana, Accra.
The Black Star (The Teacher of Africa) dramatizes the life, vision, and enduring legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a towering Pan-African figure. Produced by Africa Arts Network and directed by Emmanuel Ato Ghartey, the play is positioned as a cultural statement highlighting unity and shared heritage across the continent.
This marks the third major production by the Africa Arts Network this year, following In the Chest of a Woman in March and Honeymoon Hotel in July.
On Friday, September 5, celebrated Nollywood actor Segun Arinze arrived in Ghana to join rehearsals. He will perform alongside renowned Ghanaian stage actor Andrew Tandoh-Adote, supported by a dynamic company of nearly 100 cast and crew members, including Gadede Segbefia, Grace Orleans-Lindsay, Amanda Jissih, and Nana Sam.
Speaking on his participation, Segun Arinze expressed his excitement about the collaboration:
“It’s a nice warm feeling, and a good thing for us to collaborate, particularly with West African countries. We both share history as Ghanaians and Nigerians, and I look forward to a lovely performance.”
Andrew Tandoh-Adote echoed the significance of the partnership, noting:
“Bringing a powerful name like Segun Arinze is a strong sign for collaboration across the African continent.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Collins Rawlings Nunyonameh, Executive Director of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, praised the initiative, describing the play as an important effort in preserving Ghanaian culture and heritage:
“The play is significant in promoting Ghanaian culture and heritage, particularly in relation to Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy.”