The Black Star (The Teacher of Africa) play to honour Kwame Nkrumah

As part of activities commemorating Kwame Nkrumah's birthday this year, the Africa Arts Network, in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park will stage a play, The Black Star (The Teacher of Africa) from Friday, September 19-21 at the Commonwealth Hall Amphitheatre, University of Ghana, in Accra.

The Black Star (The Teacher of Africa) is a musical play that dramatises the life, vision, and legacy of Ghana's first president and Pan-African icon, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. 

Produced by Africa Arts Network and directed by Emmanuel Ato Ghartey, it promises to be a cultural statement celebrating unity and shared history across the continent.

This is the third production by Africa Arts Network after ‘In the Chest of a Woman’ and ‘Honeymoon Hotel’ in March and July respectively. 

On Friday, September 5, Nollywood actor Segun Arinze, a cast member arrived in Ghana to prepare for the play.

He will star alongside celebrated Ghanaian stage actor, Andrew Tandoh-Adote, with a company of nearly 100 cast and crew members including Gadede Segbefia, Grace Orleans-Lindsay, Amanda Jissih and Nana Sam.

Segun Arinze expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “It's a nice warm feeling, and it's 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 highlighted the significance of Arinze's involvement, stating, “Bringing a powerful name like Segun Arinze is a strong sign for collaboration across the African continent.

The Executive Director of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Dr Collins Rawlings Nunyonameh lauded Africa Arts Network for the foresight to stage a play in honour of Ghana’s first president. 

“The play is a significant in promoting Ghanaian culture and heritage, particularly in relation to Kwame Nkrumah's legacy,” he said.