2027 Budget: Kumasi to get new National Theatre as govt expands creative arts investment

The government of Ghana has announced plans to build a new National Theatre in Kumasi, expanding its investment in cultural infrastructure and the creative arts beyond the capital city of Accra. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed this during the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on November 12, 2026.

The proposed theatre will serve as a significant venue for cultural performances, conferences, and various activities related to the creative industry, providing artistes and event organizers in the Ashanti Region with access to a modern space for staging productions and hosting large-scale events.

This initiative is part of the government's broader commitment to the creative arts, which is under its US$10 billion New Economy Programme. A total of US$1 billion has been set aside for the sector. The new theatre in Kumasi is expected to support the decentralization of creative industry activities, creating another major cultural and performance hub outside the national capital.

With its rich cultural heritage and burgeoning entertainment scene, Kumasi stands to gain from increased opportunities to host concerts, stage productions, festivals, and international events. This modern venue could potentially reduce the dependence on the National Theatre in Accra for large-scale productions and events, thereby encouraging greater investment in the region's hospitality, tourism, transport, and other supporting businesses.

The government's decision to rehabilitate the existing National Theatre in Accra will further strengthen the country's cultural infrastructure while simultaneously expanding it to other parts of the nation. The combined efforts of these two projects highlight the commitment to improving facilities available to Ghana's creative sector and creating more opportunities for cultural activities across the country.