The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has disclosed that the National Film Authority (NFA) has set an ambitious medium-term target to increase the film industry’s contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current 0.2 percent to at least 1 percent.
Speaking at the government’s Accountability Series on Monday, August 10, 2026, Abla Dzifa Gomashie said the target forms part of government’s initiative to strengthen the commercial aspects of the film industry in a bid to attract investment and create job opportunities for the youth.
The minister noted that although the film industry’s direct contribution to GDP is relatively small, government has recognized its budding economic potential and its impact across other sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
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“Although the film industry’s direct contribution to GDP is still evolving and emerging, its indirect economic impact is significant, spanning hospitality, broadcasting, advertising, events, logistics, digital platforms and tourism. The sector is also a strong employer of youth,” she said.
Abla Dzifa Gomashie explained that the NFA, working in tandem with her ministry, has set clear targets to boost the industry’s share of the economy.
“Under the ministry, the National Film Authority has set a medium-term objective to grow the film sector’s contribution to at least 1 percent of Ghana’s GDP from 0.2 percent. This ambition positions film as an industrial and commercial sector capable of driving jobs, attracting local and foreign investments and increasing Ghana’s presence in regional and global content markets.”
As part of this plan, government has established a GH¢20 million Film Development Fund in the 2026 Budget to support production, distribution, exhibition, skills development, and innovation in animation and digital storytelling. Parliament is currently working on modalities for its implementation.
The NFA is also strengthening regulatory measures, including improved content classification systems, licensing and compliance processes, and the development of national film databases and practitioner registries. These reforms are intended to create a more structured and competitive industry environment.
She also disclosed that government is adopting innovative approaches to promote Ghanaian dialects and culture among children through locally produced animated cartoons. According to her, the initiative is being pursued through the Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) as part of efforts to preserve indigenous languages and ensure younger generations remain connected to cultural heritage.
“In our efforts to preserve our mother tongue, the ministry, through BGL, marked the Ghana Languages Festival in July 2025. This annual event on our calendar is to educate Ghanaians on the need to speak our languages and pass same to our children as our parents did for us,” she said.
At a time when children are increasingly exposed to foreign languages and content on social media, Gomashie emphasized the importance of cultural pride.
“We take the opportunity to invite you all to join the ministry every year on February 21 so that we celebrate this day in commemoration of the various languages that we have. The BGL is undertaking the animation of our Ghanaian languages and the rationale is to introduce our culture to Ghanaian children through cartoons,” Abla Dzifa Gomashie stated.