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A thrilling tragicomedy highlighting the effects of galamsey
The stage play ‘Saints and Sinners’ conveys an anti-galamsey message, while using satire to communicate the dangers of illegal mining to communities.
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For people of my ilk, though, we knew exactly where to find that excitement. It was at the Accra International Conference Centre!
Globe Productions were at it again, this time with the theatre ‘Saints and Sinners’. For those who were privileged to watch masterpieces like ‘I Can’t Think Far’ and ‘Judas and Delilah’, Globe Productions need no introduction, as their previous shows speak for themselves.
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The latest – ‘Saints and Sinners’ is a stage play that conveys an anti-galamsey message, while using satire to communicate the dangers of illegal mining on communities.
Written and produced by Latif Abubakar, the theatre highlights the need to stop illegal mining practices in the country, with a focus on proper ways of tackling the menace.
The play is themed on a rich businessman who trades in gold. But in a world where very few really care about how they make their monies, this businessman sadly engages in illegal mining activities.
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Unaware of the dangers that galamsey can cause to the community, the queen mother of the town shamelessly backs him by offering him leverages due to greed.
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And to ensure the law does not catch up with him, the gold dealer makes sure he buys the police and gets them on his side.
Featuring Ekow Smith Asante – who played the role of the businessman who deals in gold – and a host of other talented performers, the cast did justice to the no.1 canker currently bedeviling Ghana.
‘Saints and Sinners’ explores the corrupt practices that some public officials engage in, with the police in this instance trading the lives of the people they are supposed to protect for money.
It also takes a look at the disadvantages of illegal mining, first to the youth and then to the community at large.
The youth, most especially students, have now decided to drop out of school just to engage in illegal mining because it really pays. But what they have failed to realise is that, in making the money, they are also putting their futures at risk.
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The play looks at the irreparable damage that galamsey activities inflict on lands, river bodies and human life, while also encouraging the audience to help fight the menace.
The subplot also features the troublesome and inquisitive houseboy of the rich gold dealer, who knows almost everything in this world.
There is also the scene of a poor man whose nagging and materialistic wife would force him to lease his fertile 600-acre coacoa farm for 10years, completely oblivious of the fact that the land will lose its entire value after just a year of it being used as a galamsey site.
The other subplot also captures cameos of two old men whose tongues can cut through a bread – you can call them old men with sharp teeth.
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There was comedy, satire and fun filled adventure as the cast made the audience laugh off their seats with some trilling actions.
But despite the play being focused on the fight against galamsey, there were still a whole lot of morals to be taken home by audience.
And unlike some productions that normally start their shows behind time, Globe Productions did well to start ‘Saints and Sinners’ as scheduled. That was a big plus. The costumes of the entire cast were also very much on point.
However, as the positives come, so must the negatives on the night also be highlighted.
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At a point the show began to get boring because the adverts were just too many. This is a stage play for God’s sake, so keep the adverts as short as possible. Yes, the sponsors were many, but occasionally keeping your audiences seated for close to 10 minutes watching adverts, instead of the play, was undoubtedly a low point.
Then there was the bit with sound, which was also not the best, coupled with the fact that the lightening could have been better too.
That notwithstanding, ‘Saints and Sinners’ was a massive success and witnessed a large turnout at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Perhaps the eagerness of the audience was best explained by the fact that the auditorium was almost full by 4pm despite the troubles of the rains in the early hours.
If you missed it, though, then say no more: just get a ticket at Koala, Accra Mall or any Shell shop and prepare for ‘Saints and Sinners’ to be staged again in Tamale and Takoradi on September 23 and 30 respectively.
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