Celebrating the Centenary of Efua Sutherland
27th–28th March, 2025 | Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana
The Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana, in collaboration with the Mason Gross Theatre and the Center for African Studies at Rutgers University, successfully hosted a two-day international conference from March 27 to 28, 2025, to mark the centenary of the renowned Ghanaian scholar, playwright, and cultural activist, Efua Sutherland. Under the theme “Efua Sutherland and the Creation of African Scholarly Paradigms Since 1960: Continuity or Rupture”, the conference brought together academics, artists, students, and researchers to reflect on Sutherland’s legacy and the development of African-centered knowledge systems.
The conference opened with keynote addresses by the renown Prof. Kofi Anyidoho titled, “The Ancestral Path must never be Lost” that also touched on Sutherland’s pivotal role in establishing the Institute of African Studies alongside other intellectual giants. Discussions within the conference centered on her contributions to theatre, education, and institutional development, as well as her commitment to validating African knowledge as a foundation for scholarship. Participants explored how African knowledge paradigms have evolved or remained consistent since the 1960s.
Thematic sessions over the two days featured panels on the transformative power of theatre, African historiography, oral traditions, archives, Pan-Africanism, and decolonial thought. Presenters engaged with ideas of epistemic justice, postcolonial critique, cultural preservation, and the role of universities in advancing African scholarship. A creative showcase highlighted the ongoing influence of Sutherland’s vision through performance, children’s literature, and artistic abstraction.
The event concluded with a closing plenary dialogue on “Who But Us?: Assessing the State and Future of Collaborative International Higher Education”. This closing section reiterated the importance of sustaining African scholarly legacies. There was an evening performance dubbed, “This is Efua!- An Evening of Theatre in Honour of Efua Sutherland” which took place at the Efua Sutherland’s Drama Studio. The IAS looks forward to future collaborations to build on the momentum generated and ensure that Efua Sutherland’s pioneering vision continues to inspire generations of African thinkers and creators.
