The National Film Authority (NFA) has launched the CinemaTrain programme as part of efforts to expand access to cinema and create a sustainable revenue stream for Ghana’s film industry.
The initiative was unveiled on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Silverbird Cinemas in Accra. The programme seeks to address longstanding challenges within the local film industry, including limited cinema infrastructure, inadequate exhibition platforms and revenue-generation constraints for filmmakers.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFA, Kafui Danku, said the programme was developed in collaboration with key industry stakeholders to address limited access to cinemas, inadequate exhibition opportunities for filmmakers and Ghana’s film industry’s challenge of generating sustainable returns from local productions.
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“We cannot build a sustainable film industry if we produce films without creating pathways for people to watch them. That is why we are launching the CinemaTrain initiative today,” she said.
According to her, the programme goes beyond film screenings by creating an ecosystem that connects filmmakers and distributors with audiences while helping exhibitors attract more patrons.
As part of the initiative, the NFA has launched an online platform, www.cinematrain.com, where users can purchase tickets and access information on available Ghanaian film screenings nationwide.
Kafui Danku also disclosed that the Authority is pursuing plans to expand cinema infrastructure across the country. She said the NFA had partnered with the National Commission on Culture to identify suitable locations that could be refurbished into cinema exhibition centres, particularly in areas where such facilities are scarce.
She stressed that the success of the initiative would largely depend on public participation and encouraged Ghanaians to support the industry by purchasing tickets and attending local film screenings.
“Buying a ticket is very important. We can all start by buying a ticket, watching a movie and encouraging somebody else to do the same,” she said.
The NFA CEO further appealed to corporate organisations, sponsors and investors to support the initiative, noting that their involvement would create more opportunities for exhibitors while strengthening the commercial viability of Ghana’s film industry.
NFA Board Chairman, Mr Ivan Quashigah, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s film industry, noting that the Cinema Train Initiative supports its broader goal of encouraging one per cent of the country’s population to patronise local films.
He explained that the initiative is designed to unite four key stakeholders in the film value chain: producers, distributors, exhibitors and audiences.
The initiative received backing from industry players at the launch, with film producers including Shirley Frimpong-Manso and Ampong Kwaku Kwakye of Kornerstonez pledging their support.
Representatives of cinema operators and exhibitors, including Silverbird Cinemas, Ozone Cinemas and The Trust Sports Emporium Limited, also endorsed the programme.