GHANA MOURNS THEATRE ICON DR. MOHAMMED BEN-ABDALLAH

Ghana’s theatre fraternity has been thrown into mourning following the passing of celebrated playwright, scholar, and cultural pioneer Dr. Mohammed Ben-Abdallah, who died at the age of 81.

His son, Abdul Muiz Abass, broke the news in a heartfelt Facebook post on Friday, confirming that Dr. Ben-Abdallah breathed his last on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

“With deep sorrow and a heavy heart, I announce the passing of my beloved father… a man of wisdom, humility, and unwavering faith,” he wrote, adding the Qur’anic verse “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”, “Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return.”

Funeral rites

The theatre legend was buried in Kumasi, Friday, September 19, after the Jumu’ah prayers, in accordance with Islamic tradition. A three-day Dua is scheduled, while additional funeral arrangements will later be held in Accra.

A life dedicated to the arts

Born on April 25, 1944, in Kumasi, Dr. Ben-Abdallah began his professional journey as a teacher before pursuing theatre studies at the University of Ghana, Legon. He later advanced his academic career in the United States, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of Georgia (1976) and a PhD in Theatre Arts from the University of Texas at Austin (1980).

Legacy

Dr. Ben-Abdallah played a defining role in shaping Ghana’s cultural identity. He was at the forefront of establishing the National Theatre of Ghana and its resident companies: the National Drama Company, National Dance Company, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

At the University of Ghana, he rose to serve as Head of the School of Performing Arts, leaving behind a generation of artists, actors, and scholars who continue to be inspired by his vision.

His works, both on stage and in academia, positioned him as one of Ghana’s greatest cultural figures, blending storytelling with social commentary in ways that redefined Ghanaian theatre.