Stalled for 20 years: MP urges political parties to fund abandoned performing arts facility

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South Constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has appealed to all political parties to contribute towards the completion of the long-abandoned Multipurpose Arts Facility at the University of Ghana, Legon.

Ms. Gomashie was speaking in an interview on Radio Ghana’s ‘Behind the News’ programme on Thursday.

Her call follows a report by The Fourth Estate, which shed light on the neglect and decay of the multipurpose arts facility over the past two decades.

President John Agyekum Kufuor cut sod for the construction of the multipurpose facility 20 years ago. It was intended to provide spaces for practical courses in music, dance, and theatre, as well as rehearsal rooms, costume storage and offices. But several factors have contributed to a failure to complete the project.

According to students at the School of Performing Arts, the absence of dedicated rehearsal and performances space hampers their ability to hone their craft.

Besides performances, the Efua T. Sutherland Drama Studio, the only studio at the School, also functions as a central hub for research and academic workshops.

Unfortunately, its outdoor design renders it vulnerable to weather disruptions, leading to cancellation of rehearsals and productions.

The only mirror room utilised by hundreds of students is in a state of disrepair, with broken mirrors, tiles, and lights negatively impacting academic work.

The abandoned multipurpose performing arts facility project was initiated to resolve some of these challenges. The failure to complete the project leaves the School of Performing Arts with no choice than to rent spaces from other departments of the University of Ghana at great cost, as the university’s administrative structure compels each school/college to be financially self-sufficient to invest in infrastructure, programmes and activities.

“We are losing money because that building is not completed,” the Acting Dean of the School of Performing Arts, Prof Awo Mana Asiedu, lamented.

For the MP for Ketu South, Dzifa Gomashie, who is also a former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the situation is unacceptable and must be rectified immediately.

“I want to urge all political parties to commit something so that we all make a pledge that that edifice will see the light of day in the shortest possible time,” she said.

Abla Dzifa Gomashie, MP for Ketu South Constituency (Photo credit: ghanamps.com)

She criticised the current situation, where only the School of Performing Arts is actively seeking funds to complete the facility, deeming it unacceptable.

“I don’t even understand why we should be begging this Republic, this country to invest in the School of Performing Arts,” Ms. Gomashie lamented.

“We are looking for opportunities to create jobs as a country, but many talents are bound in this sector, and all they need is a place to nurture what God has given them as their talents.

“It’s not acceptable. It’s a shame to have that investment going down the drain because the integrity of the building will change if things are not put in place within time,” she added.

Ms. Gomashie was worried about the burden placed on individuals trying to single-handedly raise funds for the completion of the structure.

Also speaking on Radio Ghana, the Acting Dean of the School of Performing Arts, Prof. Asiedu, said management of the University of Ghana has responded to the plea for the completion of the project and is making frantic efforts to raise support to complete the facility.

“We are working on a fundraising drive with the office of institutional advancement, so if there is anybody listening now and in a position to support us as an institution of performing arts, we will be most delighted to welcome their assistance,” she appealed.