Ghana Must Go: Latif Abubakar’s stage masterpiece set for 10-city global tour

Accra’s theatre scene reached new heights over the weekend as celebrated playwright and producer Latif Abubakar premiered his latest stage production, Ghana Must Go: The Promiseland, to overwhelming acclaim at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The four-show run, staged as part of the 15th anniversary celebrations of Globe Productions, drew more than 7,500 patrons across two days.

Rich in humour, cultural symbolism and social commentary, Ghana Must Go tells the story of a group of Ghanaians who, disillusioned by life abroad, return home to a nation they had once left behind. Through witty dialogue, emotional depth and powerful performances by a five-member cast, the play explores themes of identity, homecoming and national pride—resonating strongly with audiences that included returnees, diasporans, corporate executives, creatives and policymakers.

“This was not just a play. It was an emotional homecoming,” one visibly moved patron said after the final performance. “It reminded me why Ghana is worth coming back to, and investing in.”

Each show—staged at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. over the two-day run—was sold out, with patrons erupting into standing ovations at curtain call. The enthusiasm underlined the play’s relevance, particularly in an era where Ghana continues to position itself as an investment destination and a hub for heritage tourism.

But Ghana Must Go is more than a theatrical production—it is the flagship performance of The Big Push Ghana, an innovative public-private campaign that sees storytelling and live theatre as viable drivers of economic diplomacy.

“We’ve proven with this production that a powerful story, well told, can inspire confidence, interest, and action,” Latif Abubakar noted. “Ghana Must Go is not just entertainment. It is an investment in Ghana’s image.”

Following the successful premiere, the play is now poised for a 10-country global tour, with performances slated for Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Nigeria, the US, UK, Canada and China. Each tour stop will include two events: a performance of the play on the first day, and an Investment and Tourism Expo on the second. Organisers anticipate a turnout of over 2,000 business and tourism stakeholders per city.

“This model is non-traditional, but that is exactly its strength,” a representative from the Ministry of Tourism said. “It’s Ghana telling its own story—creatively, proudly, and with a human touch that no brochure or PowerPoint can replicate.”

The production is a collaboration between Globe Productions and the Ministries of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Foreign Affairs. By combining theatre with national branding, the initiative is setting a new benchmark for cultural promotion and international engagement.

As the curtain fell on the final show in Accra to thunderous applause, one thing was certain: Ghana Must Go has not only entertained, but ignited a cultural and economic movement—one that signals Ghana’s readiness to tell its story on the world stage.