National Theatre Revives Classic ‘Dilemma of a Ghost

By Leo Nelson

Ghana’s National Theatre is set to stage a major revival of Ama Ata Aidoo’s enduring classic The Dilemma of a Ghost, with performances beginning on 5 December 2026.

Presented by Abibigromma, the theatre’s resident drama company, the production will open at 7:00 pm at the Folksplace venue inside the National Theatre in Accra.

Tickets are priced at ₵100 and can be purchased via the short code 71411*18# or by calling 0244 272 884. The announcement, shared by the official National Theatre of Ghana account, has already generated strong interest among theatre lovers and cultural enthusiasts.

The Dilemma of a Ghost, first published and performed in the mid-1960s, remains one of the foundational works of modern Ghanaian and African drama. Written by the late Ama Ata Aidoo, the play explores the tensions that arise when a young Ghanaian man, Ato Yawson, returns home from studying in the United States with his African-American wife, Eulalie. The couple’s arrival forces a confrontation between traditional family expectations, communal values and the individualistic outlook shaped by life abroad.

Themes about the Play

Themes of cultural identity, belonging, gender roles, intergenerational conflict and the lingering effects of the African diaspora run through the work. Aidoo’s sharp dialogue and nuanced portrayal of both Ghanaian and African-American characters have kept the play relevant for nearly six decades.

It continues to be studied in schools and universities across the continent and beyond, and is frequently revived whenever Ghanaian theatre seeks to examine questions of home, modernity and heritage.

Abibigromma, the resident company of the National Theatre, has a long tradition of bringing such classics to the stage with a strong sense of cultural authenticity. The company is known for productions that blend spoken drama with music, movement and elements of traditional Ghanaian performance.

Their interpretation of The Dilemma of a Ghost is expected to honour the text while making it accessible and resonant for contemporary audiences.

The choice of the Folksplace space within the National Theatre is significant. The more intimate venue allows for a closer connection between performers and spectators, intensifying the emotional and intellectual impact of the family confrontations at the heart of the play.

December places the production firmly in the festive and end-of-year cultural calendar, a period when many Ghanaians seek out theatre, concerts and other live performances.

Promotional materials released by the National Theatre feature two striking portraits of female performers against a warm, earth-toned background, underscoring the central role of the women in Aidoo’s story-the mother, the aunts, the wife, and the ancestral voices that hover over the action.

The poster’s design, with its bold typography and traditional motifs, signals both respect for the classic and a fresh visual approach.

Support for the production comes from several corporate partners, including GTP, Verna and Bigoo, reflecting the growing collaboration between Ghana’s cultural institutions and the private sector. Such partnerships have become increasingly important in sustaining high-quality theatre in the country.

The revival arrives at a moment when Ghanaian theatre is experiencing renewed energy. Younger directors and actors are returning to foundational texts while also creating new work that speaks to present-day concerns.

Staging The Dilemma of a Ghost allows Abibigromma to bridge generations: older audience members who first encountered the play decades ago can revisit it, while students and first-time theatregoers discover a work that still speaks powerfully to questions of identity and belonging in a globalised world.

About the Author

Ama Ata Aidoo, who passed away in 2023, remains one of Ghana’s most celebrated literary figures. In addition to her plays, she produced novels, short stories, poetry and essays that consistently examined the position of African women and the complexities of postcolonial life. The Dilemma of a Ghost was her first major dramatic work and helped establish her reputation both at home and internationally.

Theatre observers note that successful productions of the play often hinge on the chemistry between the central couple and the strength of the ensemble portraying the extended family and the ghostly ancestral presence. Abibigromma’s reputation for disciplined ensemble work suggests the company is well placed to deliver a compelling interpretation.

As December approaches, the National Theatre is expected to release further details about the creative team, cast and any additional performance dates. For now, the single confirmed opening night on 5 December at 7:00 pm has already become a highlight on Accra’s cultural calendar.

For many, the production will serve as both entertainment and a prompt for reflection. In a rapidly changing Ghana, Aidoo’s questions about what it means to return home, to marry across cultures, and to negotiate between individual desire and communal expectation remain as urgent as they were when the play first appeared.

Abibigromma’s revival offers audiences the chance to engage with those questions once again on the national stage.