‘Ghallywood’ Hub
Former President John Mahama, the 2024 presidential hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rolled out an ambitious blueprint aimed at catapulting Ghana’s stagnant film industry, known as Ghallywood, into a contemporary film village under his potential future administration.
Mahama’s comprehensive strategy, comprising 20 key points, revolves around the creation of a dedicated film village, procurement of a specialized television channel to showcase local cinematic and theatrical productions, and the facilitation of financial assistance through accessible loans for filmmakers.
Highlighting the creative arts industry as a vital job creator, Mahama envisions harnessing the immense talents of Ghanaian youth by fostering an enabling environment for their artistic expressions.
In a policy dialogue session, Mahama articulated his forward-looking vision for the sector, advocating for innovative revenue streams such as a paid television channel exclusively devoted to presenting cultural events, empowering artists to monetize their creative endeavors beyond conventional ticket sales.
This groundbreaking strategy emerges amidst criticisms of the incumbent Akufo-Addo administration’s policies, deemed responsible for stifling Ghana’s cinematic landscape with burdensome taxes and partisan influences, notably in Kumawood, the Ashanti Region’s film nucleus.
While Mahama’s agenda seeks to rectify the perceived shortcomings inflicted on the sector, including tax encumbrances and political biases, by the current government, it promises a comprehensive transformation of the creative arts sphere.
The proposals entail budgetary allocations for cultural ventures, the proclamation of a ‘Golden Age’ for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, revitalization of cultural hubs, overhaul of copyright regulations, and backing for local artists spanning diverse disciplines of film, music, drama, and fashion.
Under Mahama’s blueprint, initiatives such as international trade expositions, establishment of a film village with accessible equipment, rejuvenation of cultural infrastructure, and incentives for creative practitioners like tax waivers and pension support epitomize a robust commitment to nurturing Ghana’s cultural lineage and amplifying its global footprint.
Moreover, plans to leverage public venues for artistic displays, incorporate arts education into school syllabi, reinvigorate cultural festivities, and foster collaborations between the public and private sectors underscore a holistic vision geared towards propelling Ghana’s creative economy to new echelons.
With an array of ambitious projects on the horizon, ranging from revitalizing tourism endeavors to crafting artistic enclaves along the Volta River, Mahama’s agenda signals a transformative approach to steering Ghana’s creative arts domain towards prosperity, underscoring culture’s pivotal role in propelling national advancement and engendering socio-economic progress.