West African Theatre and Performing Arts Journal (WATPAJO)

Abstract

The West African Theatre and Performing Art~ Journal (a.k.a WATPAJO), which is the first Journal of Theatre and Performing Arts in Africa, was conceived and birthed by Professor E.G Kofoworola during his sabbatical leave at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. By its creation, the journal has provided the long awaited platform for critical discourse of theatre and performing arts in the West African sub region. WATPAJO explores Theatre and Performing Alts with the aim of re-defining the culture and folklore of the people of West Africa. The conceptual framework of the journal hopes to advance the metaphoric ramification of theatre to re-orientate the peoples of West Africa and Africa in general, towards knowledge, progress and development. As a product from academic interaction between resourceful and fertile minds, I am delighted to note that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and the University of Cape Coast, Ghana continues to yield good fruits for the benefit of mankind. This journal is the third publication emanating from the collaborative efforts. It is my sincere hope that this laudable initiative of the Performing Arts Department, University of Ilorin and Theatre Studies Department of the University of Cape Coast will serve as a model for other faculties and departments in both universities. I observed that the articles contained in this maiden edition of the journal were reviewed by recognised authorities in the field of theatre and performing arts, with an array of accomplished academics from across the world on the editorial board. I therefore wish to congratulate all those whose articles had been selected for publication. Finally, while wishing the editorial board good success and Godspeed, I sincerely hope that this journal will continually be a veritable reference point for scholars and students of theatre and performing arts in Africa and the world at large.