The National Theatre of Ghana has been closed temporarily till January 30 for scheduled maintenance works, Mr Welbeck Tamakloe, the Assistant Estate Manager told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday. The minor works would include vacuuming, overhauling, painting and other face-lifting groundwork to keep the facility in good condition.

Mr Tamakloe explained that the yearly maintenance would also involve repairing and replacement of old equipment, changing of worn-out carpets and improvement of the interior décor.

“Art and entertainment is about creativity and to maintain our accolade as the citadel of theatre, we must always keep the place attractive,” Mr Tamakloe stated.

The Ghana News Agency observed that workers of the theatre were busily scrubbing the floor, servicing machines and clearing the stage.

Mr William Ashong, the General Stage Manager said the team was currently cleaning the back stage and will later polish the stage for artistic effect during performances.

The National Theatre was built through a technical co-operation Agreement signed on September 18, 1985 in Beijing between the Governments of the Republic of Ghana and the People’s Republic of China.

The construction of the Theatre was completed on December 20, 1992 and currently houses resident performing companies; namely the National Dance Company, National Theatre Players (Abibigromma) and the National Symphony Orchestra. It also has youth groups such as the Dance Factory, Indigen Afrika and the Vision Band

The elegant and imposing National Theatre has a complicated construction moulding and novel exterior features and has served as an ideal place for events such as Conferences, Seminars, Awards night, Workshops, Artistic Presentations, Receptions, General Meetings, and Parties with an uninterrupted supply of electricity.