The government has allocated GH¢20 million in the 2026 Budget to establish a Film Development Fund aimed at addressing financing challenges confronting Ghana’s film industry and stimulating growth across the creative sector.
The intervention by the President John Dramani Mahama-led administration, is expected to provide financial support for film development and production, distribution and exhibition initiatives, as well as capacity building and skills development.
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, said this at the government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday.
She said the Fund would also support innovation in animation, digital storytelling and new media, with the broader objective of strengthening Ghanaian creative content and intellectual property for both domestic and international markets.
The modalities for operationalising the Fund are currently being worked on at Parliament, with stakeholders expecting its implementation to boost production activity and create employment opportunities within the industry.
The Government was also working to rejuvenate the National Theatre and maximise its contribution to the tourism, culture and creative arts sector, she said.
“As part of the intervention, a Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030 has been developed to guide the management and operations of the National Theatre of Ghana and ensure its optimal contribution to the creative economy,” she said.
The plan is expected to provide a framework for improving the facility’s operations, enhancing patronage and positioning it as a major centre for cultural and artistic activities.
The Minister said the government also secured support from a German theatre group, which donated a 40-foot container containing lighting and sound equipment to the National Theatre.
The equipment was made available to the Theatre following the facilitation of its clearance by the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Deputy Sector Minister and the Ministry of Finance, Madam Gomashie said.
She noted that the Management of the facility had also instituted a rigorous maintenance regime to prevent further deterioration and improve the condition of its rental spaces.
The Exhibition Hall, Foyer, Main Auditorium and Folks Place have received attention under the maintenance programme, making the facility more attractive and welcoming to clients and patrons.
“The interventions have contributed to a 15 per cent increase in patronage of the National Theatre as of July 2026, reflecting growing public and institutional interest in the facility,” she said.
The Tourism minister said security at the Theatre had also been strengthened through the deployment of additional security personnel, introduction of uniforms and issuance of security tags to staff.
It had further taken delivery of a 1,000-kVA standby generator through support from the Ministry to provide reliable electricity and ensure uninterrupted operations, Madam Gomashie said.
Meanwhile, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is supporting the renovation and modernisation of the National Theatre, reaffirming the longstanding cultural cooperation between Ghana and China.
Following discussions between the Tourism Ministry and the Chinese government, a high-level Chinese delegation conducted a technical assessment of the facility in December 2025 to determine the scope of the proposed renovation.
This is expected to restore and modernise infrastructure, improve technical facilities and reposition the National Theatre as a world-class centre for Ghanaian arts and culture.
GNA