For over a decade, Ansah has used theatre as a tool to confront difficult social issues in Ghana. His productions, which often centred on sensitive themes such as gender-based violence, have resonated deeply, particularly with women who see their own experiences reflected on stage. 

Beyond entertainment, his plays educate, empower and spark conversations many hesitate to have publicly.

Recounting one of the most memorable encounters of his career, Ansah told Graphic Showbiz on Friday, November 28, during his play In the Pants of a Woman, a moment after the performance reaffirmed his purpose.

“After the show, a member of the audience came to me and said she had been raped before, but no one knew because she couldn’t speak up. After watching the play, her healing process began. 

“That made me feel so proud, knowing that my play could help heal someone who had been a victim of rape,” he said.

He noted that many women in the audience were visibly moved during the performance. “The reactions were amazing. Women were empowered, and to me, that is all that matters. I saw some of them tear up while the play was going on. This is the power of storytelling,” he said.

Ansah’s approach to theatre goes beyond evoking emotion; he crafts his stories to inspire action and encourage audiences to confront difficult truths.
 

“I write and direct my plays in such a manner that our audience finds them relatable and relevant to present circumstances. This places them right in the middle of the story so they can take the needed action to effect change,” he explained.

This year, Ansah expanded his impact beyond Ghana’s borders when he headlined a major theatre season in Milan, representing the country and sharing his insights on art as a catalyst for social change. The experience, he said, was eye-opening.

As the only Ghanaian creative at the festival made the moment even more meaningful. “It was a great feeling. African storytelling has come of age, and this is the best moment to explore all the global opportunities out there.

“It was such a great experience to connect with like-minded professionals from the other side of the world. My takeaway lesson was that most of the issues we discuss in our plays here in Ghana also occur elsewhere. Challenges people face are universal,” he said.

According to him, audience feedback in Milan affirmed that topics such as rape, corruption and the struggles around reporting abuse cut across cultures. 

“Humans are the same everywhere. Culture may divide us, but we face the same mountains. No wonder we have the same problems despite the development gap between us,” he said.

On how the arts could help address these challenges, Ansah stressed that storytelling remained a powerful tool for justice.

“The solution is to keep fighting injustice; however, we can through our body of work. The fight never ends until the most vulnerable in society have become the most empowered. I try to do this with every piece of mine on stage. I write to empower, educate and entertain.”

With Christmas around the corner, Ansah and his team are preparing to present another of their annual productions—a fresh, imaginative retelling of the nativity story to the “Westside”.

“Every Christmas, we put together a production about the nativity story dubbed And God Came Down in Takoradi. We tell the Christmas story from a very different perspective. It will come off on Tuesday, December 23, at Central Assemblies of God, Takoradi,” he shared.