The Estate of Efua Sutherland has launched a centenary celebration of the life and legacy of Efua Theodora Sutherland in Accra. The renowned poet and playwright would have turned 100 in June this year, and the launch is to garner support, raise awareness, and unveil plans for the planned year of commemoration.
The 100th year anniversary of the birth of the celebrated Ghanaian playwright, poet, educator, cultural institution builder and pan-Africanist,Efua Theodora
Sutherland will be officially marked in Ghana and worldwide in 2024, and continue through June, 2025. The Efua Sutherland Centenary Project hopes to revive and strengthen the legacy of a remarkable African woman, and to re-introduce her to new generations at home and abroad.
Efua Theodora Sutherland who was born on 27 June, 1924 and passed way on 21 January, 1996 was a Ghanaian playwright, director, researcher, children’s author, poet, dramatist, educationist,
child advocate and cultural activist. A pioneer in establishing post-independence cultural institutions, she founded the Ghana Society of Writers, the Ghana
Experimental Theatre, and the Ghana Drama Studio. As the earliest Ghanaian playwright-director she was the key figure in the development of modern
Ghanaian theatre.
Her best-known works include Foriwa (1962), Edufa (1967), and The Marriage of Anansewa (1975). She also championed indigenous
performance traditions and popular theatre (“concert party”).
The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman described her as a Pan Africanist.
Professor Esi Sutherland Addy is the Chairperson for the Efua Sutherland Centenary Steering committee. Efua Theodora Sutherland leaves a legacy of inspiring ideas in literature and literacy, child development, urban cultural spaces and indigenous knowledge capital which continue to be explored.
