Dr. Mohammed Ben Abdallah, a writer, theater scholar, and statesman, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the age of 81.
His departure is being mourned by Ghana’s arts and culture community. His daughter, Dr. Akosua Abdallah, an actor and lecturer at the University of Ghana, posted a poignant message on Facebook on Friday, September 19, announcing his passing.
According to her, her late father was a wise, modest, and devout man who devoted his life to serving his family and the country.
She added, “Please remember him in your prayers.” She also mentioned that, in accordance with Islamic customs, he will be buried in Kumasi following Jumu’ah prayers, with a three-day Dua to follow.
Dr. Mohammed Ben Abdallah, who was born in Kumasi on April 25, 1944, had a remarkable academic and professional career. After graduating from Wesley College in Kumasi with a Teacher’s Certificate “A,” he went on to the University of Ghana in Legon to study drama and theater studies.
In the United States, he pursued his pursuit of brilliance, graduating with an MFA from the University of Georgia in 1976 and a PhD in Theatre Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980.
The legacy of Dr. Mohammed Ben Abdallah goes well beyond the stage and classroom. As a visionary, he was instrumental in the founding of the National Theatre of Ghana, supervising its construction and establishing resident performance groups like the National Symphony Orchestra, the National Drama Company, and the National Dance Company.
His plays, which are renowned for fusing traditional African performance with European dramatic styles, are now mainstays in Ghanaian and African theater, including The Trial of Mallam Ilya, Verdict of the Cobra, The Slaves, and The Fall of Kumbi.
His works are extensively examined for their postcolonial themes and cultural richness, particularly The Trial of Mallam Ilya and Other Plays and Land of a Million Magicians.
Beyond the arts, Dr. Mohammed Ben Abdallah led the National Education Reform Programme to increase access and enhance quality while serving as the Provisional National Defence Council’s (PNDC) Secretary for Education and Culture.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his influence on Ghana’s cultural, educational, and political spheres will endure. Tributes continue to pour in from colleagues, students, and admirers, all remembering him as a pioneer whose vision transformed Ghana’s theatre landscape and left an indelible mark on the nation.
Tributes Pour In For Dr. Mohammed Ben Abdallah
The unexpected news of his demise has left the Ghanaian entertainment industry and fans of the Ghanaian playwright shocked, with many taking to social media to share their condolences and reminisce about his memorable performances.
The outpouring of love and tributes flooding in from fans and colleagues is a testament to the impact he had on people.
“Interestingly, GBC a while ago shared a video from their archives with group of actors which included Dr Ben Abdallah, then minister of arts and culture. May Allah grant him pardon and jannah.”
Alhassan Yaminu
Ahmed Mohammed said, “May Allah forgive him and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
Iddrisu Salifu said, “May Allah accept him and forgive his shortcomings.”
Dr. Mohammed Ben Abdallah’s passing is a loss for Ghana, Africa, and the global theatre community. But his life also offers enduring lessons: that theatre is not a luxury but a necessity; that creativity must be rooted in culture as well as in innovation; that scholarship and moral conviction matter.
As Ghana mourns, the best tribute is not silence but action, ensuring that his vision lives on in new stories, new stages, and the continued commitment to the playwright’s calling: to use performance to reflect society, to question, to heal, and to imagine better futures.
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