Celebrated playwright and theatre director Uncle Ebo Whyte has called on Ghanaian men to accept the growing reality of women becoming financially successful, stressing that it should not threaten harmony in marriage.
He made the remarks at the premiere of his latest production, I Do I Don’t, a play that explores modern relationships, changing gender roles, and the importance of appreciation within marriage.
According to him, the production is inspired by recurring issues he has observed over the years in marital counselling and real-life relationships, particularly how couples respond to success and shifting financial dynamics.
He explained that at the heart of the play is the idea that many relationship challenges are driven by perception, communication, and appreciation between partners.
“There are women who are earning more than their husbands. They don’t go out and proclaim it or make noise about it. Yet for some reason, some men can’t deal with that,” he said.
Uncle Ebo Whyte stressed that financial differences should not redefine love, respect, or harmony within marriage.
“I think Ghanaian men must learn to accept the possibility that my wife may climb higher than me, may earn more than I do, and it is okay. It doesn’t make her better than me or more powerful than me. She is still my wife, and we can make it work and have a very harmonious relationship,” he explained.
He noted that the play is intended to challenge deeply rooted cultural beliefs about gender roles and success within marriage, while encouraging couples to rethink how they define value and mutual respect
“Our tradition is so steeped in this belief that ‘bad things happen’ when a woman rises. But we all cherish our mothers. I cannot understand why we disrespect women when our mothers will fight anyone for us,” he said.
The premiere drew a strong audience to the National Theatre, with theatre lovers filling the auditorium to watch the latest production from Roverman Productions.
Audience members, particularly women, praised the production for tackling a theme they described as timely and highly relatable, with many saying it reflected real-life marital experiences.
“Honestly, this play has spoken to me. It reflects what many women go through but don’t say out loud,” one female audience member said.
Some male patrons also shared similar views, noting that the production had challenged their thinking on marriage and financial dynamics within relationships.
“I’ve learnt a lot tonight. It has changed how I see my role in marriage and how I should respond to my partner’s success,” one male audience member added.
At a time when concerns have been raised about a decline in theatre and film production, Uncle Ebo Whyte continues to position stage drama as a vibrant and sustainable space within Ghana’s creative industry.
Year after year, Roverman Productions has built a strong reputation for consistency, delivering performances that keep theatre audiences engaged while reaffirming the relevance of live storytelling.
The company’s latest production, I Do I Don’t, will be restaged on May 1 at 6:00 pm at the ICGC Zoe Temple in Tema Community 5. Early bird tickets are priced at GH¢250, while gate admission will be GH¢300.
