Efo Kodjo Mawugbe laid to rest

The mortal remains of the distinctive playwright Efo Kodjo Mawugbe, was on Friday laid to rest at the Osu cemetery after an elaborate burial service at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.

Efo, as he was affectionately called, was given a state burial in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of culture, art and drama in the country.

Sympatisers, who mourned the illustrious son, could not hold back their tears as numerous touching tributes were paid by the family, loved ones, government and international institutions.

In attendance were dignitaries from the arts, academia as well as politicians, notable amongst them were the writer and poet, Professor Atukwei Okine, Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association.

The late Mawugbe until his demise was a professional, who explored the art of theatre to bring out socio-economic, educational as well as political issues of national concern to the fore for discussion.

He had to his credit 19 plays including “A calabash of Blood“– Radio Drama-GBC in 1978, “Aluta Continua” – drama produced for radio, stage and TV distributed in Africa by URTNA (1979) and in 1980, “The Unbending Branch” Radio Drama (GBC).

Efo held various positions including the Executive Director, National Theatre of Ghana, Western and Eastern Regional Director, Centre for National Culture, the Artistic Director, National Theatre of Ghana, Director of Programmes and International Relations at the National Commission on Culture charged with the responsibility of planning, monitoring, co-coordinating and evaluating national culture programmes of all regional centres of cultures.

For almost 30 years, he dedicated his time to pushing young men and women in the industry to accomplish their goals as well as use their full potential and was never judgmental.

Reverend Dr Nii Amoo Darku, Member of Council of State, in a sermon based on Ecclesiastics 11:12-13, admonished the congregation to make conscious efforts to serve and obey the commandments of God before their day of darkness.

He said the judgment of God was sure therefore, there was the need for everyone to be adequately prepared in order not to offend God.

Rev. Darku urged the youth to draw inspiration from the life story of Efo, who though came from a less privileged family, but strived to achieve worldwide recognition through his dent of hard work, patience, humility and God fearing character.

Efo Mawugbe was born on April 21, 1954 in Kumasi to Madam Comfort Tulasi, and the late Michael Ayivi Mawugbe, who both worked at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology  (KNUST).

He attended Mawuli School, Ho, where he obtained his secondary education to the sixth form and later to the University of Ghana where he studied Theatre Arts, majoring in playwriting from 1975 to 1978.

Later in 1991, he did a certificate course in senior management development at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and studied at the British Council, Glasgow and London, where he did certificated programmes in Theatre Management and Audience Development.

From 1979-1984, he served as a Senior Research Assistant – African Theatre at the KNUST Centre for Cultural Studies where he helped students in the developing and production of plays.

Between 2001 and 2002, Efo Mawugbe was a part-time Assistant Lecturer (Playwriting) at the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Ghana, where he supervised final year students in playwriting.

He was survived by a wife and five children.

Source: GNA