‘Land of a million magicians’ resurfaces in Ghana again?

The present pre­vailing economic hardships and suffering that is facing Ghana­ians recalls to mind the satirical play which was written and produced in the early 1980s by Dr Mohammed Ben Abdallah, the renowned Ghana­ian and African playwright and dramatist.

“Land of A Million Magicians portrayed implicitly and explicitly, the hard economic situation that faced Ghanaians during this pe­riod of time of Ghana’s political history.

It is of no doubt that this un­pleasant and negative atmosphere has resurfaced in Ghana again; challenging Ghanaians to live de­cent cost of living and standard of living.

All Ghanaians at all levels on the social ladder are feeling the pinch of this hard economic situ­ation and are trying in all ways to survive the severe impact of this hard economic situation.

To this end, all Ghanaians have devised various means which works like magic to make ends meet at the end of every month with their low monthly salaries and wages that they receive.

Dr Mohammed Ben Abdal­lah displayed an intelligent and good skill in the writing of the “Land Of A Million Magicians” to depict this Ghanaian situation which received a very high pop­ularity in the early 1980s when the erstwhile Provisional Defence Council (PNDC) was in reign of power.

It is interesting to note that Dr Mohammed Ben Abdallah was a Minister of Education and Culture serving under the PNDC government during this period of time; and when he was about to direct and put this play on the Ghanaian stage for Ghanaian audience, he was dissuaded by friends and lovers, because they thought that he would be endan­gering his life as that time was very unsafe and dangerous for anyone who showed any dislike and hatred against the govern­ment in power.

Abdallah however ignored the advice of his friends and lovers and went ahead to produce his play on stage for Ghanaians; and surprisingly enough he was praised as his “Land of A Million Magicians” received much popu­larity and praise in the Ghanaian situation at that hectic and turbu­lous time.

Writers and playwrights are like prophets or seers; and they observe and see things which the ordinary people in the society are oblivious of.

In this way, they are inspired to write about issues prevailing in the society during their time, the past and the future of the society.

That is why writers and play­wrights (both small and great) such as William Shakespeare, the greatest of all playwrights of all time had gone down in the history of the human race as the evergreen playwright, because Shakespeare’s plays are very alive, kicking and relevant since his time up to this day.

The theme or message of “Land Of A Million Magicians” is economic hardship which is very relevant at this period of time in the Ghanaian political history.

“Land of A Million Magicians” is set at Nima, a slum area of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. And the characters in Land Of A Million Magicians are behaving with life styles that reflects the title of the play.

They are characters of low stature of the social ladder of the Ghanaian society who are por­traying the severe economic situa­tion by their trades, professions and calling through the dialogue that they exhibit.

”Land Of A Million Magi­cians” is amusing and provides a lot of humor and laughter for au­dience; and it is a typical political satire by genre.

The structure of “Land Of A Million Magicians” revolves around the protagonist Mumuni, who lives at Nima and sells water to earn his living.

The inhabitants at Nima are by majority northerners who hail from the Northern parts of Ghana.

They live very hard lives and earn their living by various menial jobs and callings. Most of the young women folk are street workers.

In a narrative style, Abdallah begins the play with the hero Mu­muni in a speech directed to the audience that gives a vivid insight into the environment of Nima and its general life style.

Shortly after this episode the gods made up of the Cardinal, Imam and Okomfo come on to the scene on a visit to Nima to appraise the living conditions over there.

On entering Nima, the city within a city, the gods made up of the Okomfo, Cardinal and Imam enter into conversation with, Mumuni the water seller.

This conversation is centered on the general living condition and life styles of the people of Nima.

In my opinion, the theme or message of “Land Of A Mil­lion Magicians” by Abdullah is reminiscing at the present time in Ghana; and Ghanaians are earning their living in a hard and severe way to make ends meet.

The government of the day at the present time is trying very hard to make living bearable for all Ghanaians in the midst of the severe economic hardships that prevails.

In conclusion, I assert that as the star of Africa, and a bless­ed country, Ghana will soon surmount all economic challeng­es that are facing her, to make Ghanaians live once again, happy life styles and contribute positive­ly to the continual developmental process of the country, for Gha­na has a great destiny to fulfill in African affairs and politics.

BY MICHAEL AKENOO: THEATRE CRITIC