CHARLES Amankwa Ampofo, playwright, poet and dramatist who for more than two decades has thrilled television viewers and listeners on radio with his skills in drama, has conducted a research into structures and cultural symbolism of clan society in various Akan ethnic groups.

Connotative symbols of these clans, whose meaning have a bearing on character, nature and originality of its people have pre-occupied this playwright for some time now.

Speaking to Times Weekend he said his aim and objective now is to codify some of these customs and practices identified with these clans and get them streamlined.

Practices of these customs exhibited in most of his drama have inspired him to undertake this project.

He said by writing more scripts laced with these customary practices and rites, Ghanaians will become familiar with the cultural heritage of their clan by the virtue of nature phenomena and history. This he said should be another form of self discovery for members of the clans.

He has carved a niche for himself to become a household name on both radio and television and attained positions of assistant controller of programmes and head of Akan Section in local news in Twi language.

His enormous wealth of rich experience in drama, both acting and writing scripts has helped him to define the cultural personality concept in our society.

The gift of poetry and insight into Akan culture has also held him in good stead to write scripts for Akan and Ga youth magazines.

A regular host of Breakfast Show in Akan on GTV every Monday, he also hosts other programmes such as Mmofra kyepen, Yen ara konkonko, a radio theatre programme Dawohoso literally meaning "watch these things" on Mondays, Thursday and Fridays.

Asaasewa literally meaning anything goes’ is a special and unique programme which runs at Unique Radio 95.7 FM.
literally meaning anything goes’ is a special and unique programme which runs at Unique Radio 95.7 FM.

His brainchild ‘Friday Flash’ has lately helped to build bridges bringing foreign and local guest artistes together at the GBC Club House where the station’s band plays to support these artistes.

This programme, which is tremendously pulling fans to the venue, and interspersed with commercial breaks, also serves as a medium to advertise products, is hosted by himself and supported by Doris Ansah.

He described this programme as a gold mine to GBC, noting that have considered it a good platform on which to communicate to the viewing public about their advertised products, services and social programmes.

The multiple award winning star revealed that he has refused frequent attempts being made by other other stations to woo him from the premier station of the nation, GBC.

His Akan Drama on TV for which he has written countless scripts, and also played roles as an actor, has made him a star.

His honours include an award by the Ghanaian community in Canada presented to him for his meritorious contribution to the progress of local drama in 1999.

At a world festival of youth and students in 1978 in Havana, Cuba and seven years later in the Soviet Union in 1985, respectively Charles Ampofo represented Ghana.