Objects
Ebenezer Kwabena Acquah

Image 1: Cheng Taining & Ye Xianghan, The National Theatre of Ghana, 1990 - 1992, reinforced concrete, dark grey granite, white tiles, 11,896 square metres, Accra, Ghana. © Wisdom Dzigbordi. Image 2: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yale_music/14343628212/ Source: Dana Astmann, under Creative Commons. Images 3 and 4: Ground plans, photographs by Cheng Taining, link: https://archnet.org/sites/1413/media_contents/15315.

Enhancing the Visual Culture Landscape through Architecture

 The structural developments of buildings that promote the arts and visual culture in Ghana have received little scholarly attention since the country’s independence. The scarce information regarding buildings linked to the arts is scattered and chequered at best. This, perhaps, stems from the fact that the available literature seems inclined toward the patronage of art works and theatrical performances, music and dance, thereby leaving out the visual cultural aspect of buildings that host performances and art works. This paper focuses on the artistic appreciation of the National Theatre of Ghana, its place in education, and how this edifice illuminates the country’s architectural landscape. It adopts a narrative and descriptive approach by navigating the structure, size, interior, and exterior views of the building which is surrounded by sculptural works.