Kumasi, the cultural heart of the Ashanti Region, is set to host Ghana’s second national theatre, a move designed to bring arts, performances, and cultural experiences closer to residents outside the capital.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the project during his 2026 Budget presentation to Parliament on Thursday, saying that site acquisition and design work will begin in 2026.
The initiative forms part of a broader government effort to strengthen tourism, culture, and creative arts, alongside the planned rehabilitation of the National Theatre in Accra. By creating a major cultural venue in Kumasi, the government is decentralizing access to the arts, ensuring that talent, creativity, and audiences across the Ashanti Region can flourish.
In his presentation, Dr. Forson highlighted the wider support for the creative economy, noting that the government will also establish a Film Fund to revive the film industry, including Kumawood and other film associations, as well as a Creative Arts Fund to support arts, music, fashion, and culinary sectors.
“The construction of a national theatre in Kumasi reflects our commitment to making arts and culture accessible to all Ghanaians,” Dr. Forson told Parliament. “It will serve as a hub for creativity, talent development, and cultural exchange, contributing to both economic growth and national identity.”
For performers, filmmakers, and artisans in Kumasi, the new theatre promises more than a building, it represents opportunity, recognition, and a stage for their craft to reach wider audiences. Local arts associations and schools could host performances, workshops, and festivals, creating jobs, fostering talent, and building community pride.
By bringing a state-of-the-art cultural venue to Kumasi, the government aims to enrich the city’s artistic landscape, attract both domestic and international visitors, and cement the theatre as a landmark destination for arts, culture, and creativity in Ghana.
