The leadership of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), a foremost advocacy group for the creative industry and a catalyst for the creative economy, has welcomed the decision by Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to establish a 17-member committee aimed at reviving the Kumasi movie industry, popularly known as Kumawood.
On March 4, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, inaugurated a 17-member ministerial committee tasked with revitalizing the region’s declining film industry, popularly known as Kumawood.
With Kumawood facing a downturn in recent years, the committee has been charged with developing a strategic framework to rejuvenate the industry and create sustainable employment opportunities for industry players.
The committee chaired by Bishop Ofori-Adu comprises representatives from various sectors of the film industry, including veteran actors Oheneyere Mercy Asiedu and Bill Asamoah.
According to FOCAP, this initiative is a step in the right direction, as Kumawood has played a crucial role in countering the influx of Nigerian and other foreign films, thereby promoting Ghanaian movies and content.
Speaking to Citi News, FOCAP President, Kojo Preko Dankwa, encouraged other regional ministers to adopt similar measures to support the film and creative arts industries in their respective regions.
He emphasized that such efforts would contribute significantly to the overall revival of the industry and, in turn, boost the economy.
“I think Dr Amoakohene’s call or decision to set up a ministerial committee to look at Ghana’s film creative act like Kumahood in the Ashanti Region, generally to purposely drive growth and transformation within the movies industry is a good one.
“On the side of the committee, accessing the current state of the industry and identifying the key challenges is one of the key things that I believe that if the committee can come up with a strategic way to solve them, it will help.”
He further called on the National Film Authority to actively engage in this space to strengthen the industry’s growth.