Central University is set to stage yet another glitzy literary and jazz event on Wednesday April 26 at the Trinity Square, Miotso Campus.
Aptly named ‘Poetry Under the Eagle’, the jazz and poetry showpiece takes place at the majestic eagle statue which forms a magnificent landmark of the university’s main campus. Now in its 4th year, the extracurricular activity involves performers from the general public, and aims to provide the platform for staff and students of the university to showcase their talents in poetry recitals, acting, song ministrations and other forms of art.
Last year’s show featured Professor Kofi Anyidoho – a literary scholar, poet and professor of English from the University of Ghana who serenaded the audience with nuggets of native wisdom in word and song. The event also saw the Vice Chancellor of Central University, Prof. Bill Puplampu, performing some of his own poems to a delighted audience.
Also dispensing delicious dishes of jazz music was Prince Hakeem Williams. His melodious interludes rocked patrons on and off their seats making them look forward to the next show. And indeed, the jazz artiste is making his return to the Miotso event.
Under the running theme ‘Poetry as Song, Song as Poetry’, this year’s show will feature Chief Moomen of WogbeJeke fame as the main Guest Performer. The Guest Poet is one of the most recognisable faces of performance poetry from Ghana, having been performing for the past 15 years on various national, corporate, social, entertainment and international platforms. He is a master storyteller, able to hold his audience captivated with exciting narratives.
Chief Moomen is also the Chief Creative Officer of Bambu Centre, a creative communications company with interests in theatre and multimedia productions, publishing and education. He is the writer and producer of the acclaimed Heritage Theatre Series (WogbeJeke), which is an ambitious project to reenact the history of Ghana and Africa through a series of spectacular plays.
In November 2018, Chief Moomen created the opening and closing ceremony performances with a cast of 500 for the Total Africa Women’s Cup of Nations held in Ghana.
Chief Moomen has indicated that his vision, of which he has dedicated his lifetime, is to package and present Africa’s history heritage through theatre, films and publications in exciting ways to engage current and future generations. He intends for his work to also challenge stereotypical narratives of Africa by producing and promoting edifying and inspiring content about the continent. At Wednesday’s event, the multi-talented artiste is expected to take patrons on creative journeys along the themes of the African reality.
Also expected to animate the audience with her creativity is Prof. Adelaide Kastner, Dean of the Central Business College, who will perform some poetry. In an evening that promises to be full of variety of entertainment, some students, lecturers and administration staff will also mount the stage.
‘Poetry under the Eagle’ is held once every year and has become a feature in the social events’ calendar at Central University. It is organised under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Creative Alliance, a vibrant creative arts group on Miotso Campus. The event is envisioned to help promote the image of the university in addition to helping members of the university community release stress and develop their creative talents.
