The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture recently procured eight (8) air conditioners for the National Theatre to address the persistent ventilation needs of the facility.

Joy FM's entertainment journalist Kwame Dadzie, who visited the National Theatre on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, reported that eight pairs of ten (10) horsepower air conditioners (16 pieces) had been provided to the centre.

This comes six months after the carpets at the National Theatre were also replaced following several complaints by some media personalities and entertainment critics in 2018.

But musician turned politician, Rex Omar has devalued the government's efforts.

In an interview, he indicated that the provision of air conditioners in the theatre is nothing but mediocre, with his reason being that there is a central AC system in the auditorium so extra ones are not needed.

“It’s mediocre, and the reason why I’m saying that is because the National Theatre, as we have it, has a central air conditioner. Recently, I saw them buying the standing conditioners; it tells you that it is not something that they thought through. Perhaps when they heard us say we were going to rehabilitate it, they hurriedly went to buy some. Most of the things they’re doing are mediocre. A theatre that when it was built 30 to 40 years ago had central air conditioning, you’re going to rehabilitate and buy wall units; for Christ's sake, what are they trying to do?” he argued on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning show.

The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) chairman asserted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has different plans for rehabilitating the performance centre, unlike the NPP.

Rex Omar added that a John Mahama administration will renovate all art and cultural centres across the country and construct an all-new theatre centre in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, after rehabilitating the Accra National Theatre.

“You heard John Mahama say that we’re going to rehabilitate all the centres for national culture in the regions. Secondly, we’re going to rehabilitate the National Theatre in Accra, and if we have financial availability, we’ll build the second theatre in Kumasi.” 

Meanwhile, the Accountant and acting Estate Officer at the National Theatre, Enock Quaye, who spoke to Myjoyonline.com, noted that the eight (8) pairs of ACs cost approximately GH₵800,000.

He said the ACs will be installed in the coming weeks to give patrons of the theatre a more comfortable experience.

The National Theatre, opened in 1992, was built by the Chinese and offered as a gift to Ghana. The theatre is governed by the National Theatre Law of 1991, PNDC Law 259.

It provides a multi-functional venue for concerts, dance, drama, musical performances, screenplays, exhibitions, and special events. The theatre houses the three resident companies of the National Dance Company, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Theatre Players.