The Cedi Conference Centre at the University of Ghana hosted the National Film Dialogue organized by the National Film Authority (NFA) under the theme “Accelerating Industry Development.” The event brought together government officials, industry stakeholders, academics, filmmakers, and investors to deliberate on the future of Ghana’s film sector.
In her opening remarks, Kafui Danku, Executive Secretary of the NFA, emphasized the urgent need to overcome systemic barriers, particularly in financing.
“The NFA was established to build a sustainable, globally competitive film ecosystem. To achieve this vision, we must bring everyone to the table—governments, executives, development partners, and storytellers—to challenge the bold impact for the people of Ghana,” Danku said.
“The dialogue is a call to action to unlock innovative financing models that empower filmmakers to dream and deliver at scale, build meaningful partnerships, and expand Ghanaian stories to global, regional, and local markets.”
She further stressed that the choices made today would shape the future of Ghana’s creative industries, noting that collaboration and solution-driven dialogue are critical to progress.
Government’s Commitment to Creative Arts
Representing the Ministry of Communications, Deputy Minister Mohammed Adams Sukparu spoke passionately about film as a vessel of heritage and a bridge to the world.
“Through film, our stories of resilience, beauty, complexity, and hope deserve to be told not only within our borders but across continents. The government recognizes the creative arts sector as a vital contributor to national development. It has the potential to create sustainable jobs, promote tourism through storytelling, attract foreign investment, strengthen national identity, and fuel economic growth,” he stated.
Sukparu also extended an invitation to investors, affirming that Ghana is open for business in film production, distribution, training, and digital innovation.
Innovation and Technology in the Spotlight
Adding to the government’s position, Hon. Yussif Issaka Jajah, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, underscored the need to align the industry with 21st-century economic demands.
“The government is committed to building a reliable and service-oriented business environment. In film, this means strengthening content creation, post-production, and production itself to position Ghana’s industry for global competition,” Jajah noted.
He highlighted the role of strategic partnerships with corporations and international collaborators, referencing how digital production studios in South Africa and Nigeria have already attracted global co-producers. Ghana, he said, must not be left behind.
“Emerging technologies are shaping the industry. Blockchain is being used to track royalties and ensure fair commerce for creators, while artificial intelligence tools are beginning to support editors by automating tasks and making content more accessible to wider audiences across Africa,” he added.
Charting the Future
The Dialogue brought together experts from finance, media, brand marketing, directing, and distribution, with all emphasizing collaboration, sustainable funding, and policy alignment.
The event closed with a reaffirmation of the NFA’s commitment to building a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive Ghanaian film industry that serves both cultural and economic aspirations.
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
