Ghanaian film producers have been urged to promote the good image of the country to make it the film tourism hub on the continent for foreign film makers as their prefer choice to shoot films for the international market.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Film Authority, Mrs Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante made the call in Accra on Tuesday during an engagement with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Creative Arts and visiting students from the Creative Media Institute of the Georgia State University, United States of America.
The engagement was to discuss how to tap into each other’s space, learn bestpractices in the creative arts and film industries.
According to her, film had the power to promote the country unlike any other medium therefore, making Ghana the film hub in Africawould boost the tourism sector and increase the country’s gross domestic product.
She said the country’s film sector was extremely resilient and ready to step forward into a position where film makers across the world would make Ghana their destination for shooting.
“Ghana is very well positioned, we have everything. We have great locations, great skillset, good landscape and cost of production is relatively low compared to other parts of the world.
“We are working on tax incentives as well, and we hope by the end of the year we’ll be done to enable investors make more return on their investment,” she added.
The CEO said Africa was going to be the youngest continent in some few years to come since the global youth would by 2050 increase by 40 per cent saying “creating content for Africans, by the global black community and narrating our stories ourselves to the world is very crucial to the conversation.”
She expressed excitement about the visit of the students called for more collaborative effort to promote ‘film tourism’ as a concept to rejuvenate Ghana’s film industry while promoting tourism.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer, GTA, Mr Ben Anane Nsiah, underscored the need for Ghana to shape its destination opinion and portray the good image of the country to encourage people to consider the destination worth visiting.
“Be proud of what you do. The influence of film, as in the soft things that make life exciting has a lot to do in changing minds and perspective. And you have a great job to do as you become great producers and film makers. Remember that you have a mission to portray the African continent in the way it must be,” he said.
Ms Juddifer Pearson, Georgia State University, commended the Authority for giving them the opportunity to come and exchange ideas on the film industries in both countries.
“We have been here for the past few days and we are ready to collaborate, share energies, and tap into whatever opportunities there were to make the industry better,” she added.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
