The Acting Executive Director of the National Theatre of Ghana, Henry Herbert Malm has made a call to corporate Ghana to move from sponsorship to investment in the performing arts sector.

Speaking at an open-air concert held as part of the Ghana Theatre Festival 2026, Mr. Malm said theatre is not only the bedrock of national identity but also a viable economic frontier with guaranteed returns.

“Financial investment in the performing arts yields robust values that guarantee a return on investment in numerous tangible ways. It expands grant equity, drives cultural tourism, unlocks new commercial avenues and creates sustainable employment for our youth,” he said.

Mr. Malm noted that, the relationship between the corporate sector and the arts has, for too long, been defined by Corporate Social Responsibility.

“Tonight, we urge you to shift your paradigm. Do not just be our sponsors, be our investors,” he declared.

He said investing in the Ghana Theatre Festival, the National Symphony Orchestra and other productions of the National Theatre is an investment in tangible creative intellectual property that offers sustainable commercial value, long-term brand equity and societal transformation.

The concert coincided with International Music Day, a global milestone established by the International Music Council in 1975 to champion the power of music to bridge cultural divides, foster peace and celebrate shared humanity.

Mr. Malm added that it was significant that the global celebration fell within the theatre’s flagship festival held under the theme; “Five Movements, One Story”.

He explained that, under the theme, patrons will not merely witness individual performances but experience how different artistic disciplines harmonize into a singular narrative of national identity.

Reiterating the statutory mandate of the National Theatre to develop, promote and preserve the performing arts, Mr. Malm invoked the legacy of Ghana’s founding father, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whose vision birthed the National Symphony Orchestra.

He said the orchestra was created with a unique mandate to indigenize African music, blending symphonic structures with the rich and complex rhythms of the homeland.

“Tonight's performance is a testament to that legacy, proving that our heritage can speak to the global stage without losing its local accent,” he noted.

He, however, stressed that the preservation of culture cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the state.

“Let us collaborate to develop new narratives, promote Ghanaian excellence globally and preserve this priceless heritage for generations to come. The stage is set, the story is unfolding and we invite Corporate Ghana to write the next profitable, impactful chapter with us.”