Accra, Ghana 16th November,2025— President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday joined the Family, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its agencies to honour the memory of celebrated playwright, scholar and statesman, Dr Mohammed Ben Abdallah, at a memorial service held at the National Theatre.
A tribute from the Government of Ghana, delivered on behalf of the President by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described Dr Abdallah as “a towering intellectual, a master dramatist, a statesman of conviction, and one of the most influential cultural thinkers of post-independence Ghana.”
The government highlighted Dr Abdallah’s remarkable contribution to Ghanaian and African theatre, citing works such as The Slaves, The Trial of Mallam Ilya, The Fall of Kumbi and Witch of Mopti. His plays were praised as powerful commentaries on society, politics and human morality, blending folklore, history and contemporary issues with exceptional artistic depth.
The tribute recognized his pioneering role in advancing Abibigoro, the African total theatre tradition, which reclaimed indigenous performance aesthetics and helped establish African dramaturgy on the global stage.
Dr Abdallah was also remembered for his impactful career as an educator and mentor. The government noted that he taught not only artistic technique but also philosophy, shaping the values, discipline and worldview of countless students who now serve in various fields across the world.
In public service, Dr Abdallah served as PNDC Deputy Secretary for Tourism, Secretary for Information and later Secretary for Education. According to the tribute, he brought “intellectual rigour and moral clarity” to national governance and worked tirelessly to uplift Ghana’s cultural identity.
As the first Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, he laid institutional foundations that continue to guide Ghana’s cultural administration, artistic development and heritage preservation.
The government described Dr Abdallah as a custodian of the Ghanaian soul, emphasizing his belief that culture is central to nation-building. His lifelong commitment to protecting and promoting Ghanaian and African narratives was hailed as a profound act of patriotism.
The ceremony featured additional tributes from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the International Theatre Institute, the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Prof. Kofi Asare Opoku, Prof. Jesse Weaver Shipley, James Gibbs of Bristol (UK), Esi Sutherland-Addy, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambars, the family of the late icon and several colleagues and admirers.
The government affirmed that Dr Abdallah’s influence will continue to shape Ghana’s cultural landscape. “His life was a gift to Ghana, and his memory will forever illuminate our cultural and intellectual journey,” the tribute concluded.
Source: Dleassie Mabel Awuku-PR Unit- MoTCCA
