The National Film Authority (NFA) has set a medium-term target to increase the film sector’s contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current 0.2 percent to at least one percent.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, said the target formed part of efforts to reposition the film industry as a commercially viable sector capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and expanding Ghana’s presence in regional and international content markets.
She disclosed this at the Government Accountability Series engagement in Accra on Monday to account for the Ministry’s performance and outline its outlook for the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors.
Ms Gomashie said the film industry was a vital component of Ghana’s creative economy, contributing to employment, cultural expression, tourism promotion and national branding.
Although the film industry’s direct contribution to GDP remained relatively small, she said its wider economic impact extended to hospitality, broadcasting, advertising, events, logistics, digital platforms and tourism.
She said the sector was also a significant employer of young people, with a majority of practitioners below 35 years.
The Minister said the NFA had implemented programmes across the film value chain aimed at stimulating production, expanding markets, developing skills and improving revenue generation.
She said the NFA was also strengthening the regulatory and business environment through improved film and television content classification systems, streamlined licensing and compliance processes, as well as the development of national film databases and practitioner registries.
“These measures are aimed at improving content standards, protecting audiences, supporting intellectual property and increasing investor confidence, while encouraging industry growth,” she said.
Ms Gomashie said the Government had allocated GH¢20 million in the 2026 Budget for the establishment of a Film Development Fund to help address financing challenges within the industry.
The Fund would support film development and production, distribution and exhibition initiatives, capacity building and skills development, as well as innovation in animation, digital storytelling and new media.
She said the Fund was expected to catalyse production, improve content quality, create jobs and strengthen Ghanaian intellectual property for domestic and international markets.
The Minister said modalities for operationalising the Fund were currently being worked on at Parliament.
She said the Government’s objective was to transform the film industry into a stronger commercial and industrial sector that could contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
