As part of activities commemorating Kwame Nkrumah's birthday this year, the Africa Arts Network, in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park will stage a play, The Black Star (The Teacher of Africa) from Friday, September 19-21 at the Commonwealth Hall Amphitheatre, University of Ghana, in Accra.

The Black Star (The Teacher of Africa) is a musical play that dramatises the life, vision, and legacy of Ghana's first president and Pan-African icon, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. 

Produced by Africa Arts Network and directed by Emmanuel Ato Ghartey, it promises to be a cultural statement celebrating unity and shared history across the continent.

This is the third production by Africa Arts Network after ‘In the Chest of a Woman’ and ‘Honeymoon Hotel’ in March and July respectively. 

On Friday, September 5, Nollywood actor Segun Arinze, a cast member arrived in Ghana to prepare for the play.

He will star alongside celebrated Ghanaian stage actor, Andrew Tandoh-Adote, with a company of nearly 100 cast and crew members including Gadede Segbefia, Grace Orleans-Lindsay, Amanda Jissih and Nana Sam.

Segun Arinze expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “It's a nice warm feeling, and it's a good thing for us to collaborate, particularly with West African countries. We both share history as Ghanaians and Nigerians, and I look forward to a lovely performance." 

Andrew Tandoh-Adote highlighted the significance of Arinze's involvement, stating, “Bringing a powerful name like Segun Arinze is a strong sign for collaboration across the African continent.

The Executive Director of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Dr Collins Rawlings Nunyonameh lauded Africa Arts Network for the foresight to stage a play in honour of Ghana’s first president. 

“The play is a significant in promoting Ghanaian culture and heritage, particularly in relation to Kwame Nkrumah's legacy,” he said.