“The Darkest Chapter”: Latif Abubakar’s 21st production brings President Mahama’s UN reckoning to the National Theatre Stage

On March 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly made history by voting 123 to 3 to label the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement as the greatest crime against humanity in recorded history. This resolution was spearheaded by the Republic of Ghana, bolstered by the powerful testimony of President John Dramani Mahama and Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and supported by the African Union, CARICOM, and global advocates for justice.

This pivotal moment, a nation's leadership turning centuries of indifference into a verdict, serves as the catalyst for Latif Abubakar's groundbreaking 21st theatrical production, The Darkest Chapter.

At the core of this multimedia experience is 'The Witness,' an ethereal narrator who has traversed four centuries, witnessing the inhumane journey of enslaved Africans, enduring the horrors of the Middle Passage, toiling in the fields of Caribbean plantations, and joining the ranks of freedom fighters. As the resolution unfolds in the UN chamber, 'The Darkest Chapter' confronts the audience with a poignant question: what will you do now that you know?

This ambitious production seamlessly blends the rich traditions of West African, contemporary, and Caribbean dance with a live score featuring African percussion, orchestral strings, and a full gospel-highlife choir. The result is a sensory masterpiece that is both immersive and cinematic, transcending borders and time to create a global impact.

Creator Latif Abubakar describes 'The Darkest Chapter' as an 'inheritance,' emphasizing that it is not a re-enactment of the past, but a profound exploration of the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity. Abubakar's 21st production is a testament to his dedication to using theatre as a catalyst for social change, addressing pressing health, social, and current issues in a manner that transcends mere entertainment.

As part of this year's Ghana Theatre Festival, 'The Darkest Chapter' will take center stage at the National Theatre in Accra for three nights: October 2nd at 7:00pm, October 3rd at 4:00pm and 8:00pm, and October 4th at 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Presented in collaboration with the National Theatre, Globe Productions, and supported by UNESCO, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this production offers a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with a story that is deeply Ghanaian yet universally resonant.

Tickets priced at GHS 200 are available for purchase via phone at 447 1092#, or online at www.globeproductions.biz. On this October night, the National Theatre will not merely host a play; it will host a reckoning, inviting every Ghanaian and friend of Ghana to reflect on the question left echoing in the dark: the sun must not set on justice.