The Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has issued a call to action for filmmakers and creative industry professionals to engage in the inaugural National Film Dialogue.

The event is scheduled to be held at the Cedi Conference Centre at the University of Ghana, Legon.

In a video address disseminated on the ministry’s official social media channels, the minister underscored the critical nature of this dialogue and the significant, yet untapped, capacity of the film sector to act as a major contributor to national development.

“It’s important to have this conversation because I urge you to go onto the internet, and you will find that film contributes over 90 billion to the global economy,” she said.

The minister outlined several challenges hindering the progress of Ghana's film industry, noting its intricate history necessitates focused attention and comprehensive reform.

“The story of filmmaking in Ghana has been one that is convoluted, and we must get to a point where it takes its place of pride, promoting our culture, promoting our heritage, promoting our very existence and also our tourism,” she said.

Hon. Dzifa Gomashie extended an invitation to all industry stakeholders to join the conversation and provide robust ideas and policy recommendations that will guide the future trajectory of the sector.

“We want to have a holistic conference where all stakeholders come together and assist us to position this dialogue on a platform where we can make a policy decision that drives this sector and especially the domain that we are speaking about,” she explained.

She elaborated on the industry's vast potential, stating it could serve as a powerful engine for job creation, stimulate growth in adjacent creative fields, and serve as a unique tool for international engagement.

“This domain has the potential for employment and also brings along all the other sectors in the creative arts space. Through film alone, we can have a diplomacy with the rest of the world, one that creates opportunities for investors to come into our country and leave their money here for us to be able to develop at the speed that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama wants us to go to,” she emphasised.

In her concluding remarks, the minister appealed to sponsors and investors for their support of both the dialogue and the National Film Authority to ensure the sustained growth and development of Ghana's film industry.

Lucy Mawufemor Kpeglo