On Wednesday, Could 20, 2026, after years of advocacy, coverage growth, and stakeholder agitation, the Movie Growth Fund was launched.
This can be a fund aimed toward reviving Ghana’s movie trade by way of analysis, coaching, infrastructure and monetary assist for particular tasks.
A committee was additionally fashioned on this regard. The committee consists of Mr. Samuel D. Clarkson Achiampong, Mr. Augustine Abbey, Mr. George Bosompim, Mr. Selassie Ibrahim, Mr. Michael Owusu Ansah, and Mr. Kofi Adinkurah.
On 13 November 2025, Minister of Finance Cassiel Ato Forson introduced that the federal government had allotted GH¢20 million to the Movie Fund as seed cash to assist the restoration of the movie trade, together with Kumawood and different entities. At present, GH¢5 million of the budgeted quantity of GH¢20 million has been put into the fund. The federal government grant will function seed funding for the trade’s first movie fund.
Though it has been introduced that the Fee will concern tips on the eligibility of the Fund, there are already provisions in Articles 29 to 32 of the Movie Growth and Classification Act 2016 (Act 935) on what the Movie Growth Fund needs to be used for, who’s eligible to entry the Fund and the way a lot the beneficiaries are entitled to obtain.
10 vital issues to know concerning the Movie Growth Fund
1) It isn’t a “wonkeni” fund. Those that obtain assist for his or her tasks are anticipated to pay it again. It isn’t free cash.
2) Not all filmmakers profit from that. Moreover, not all kinds of movie tasks are eligible for assist.
3) Based on the Movie Regulation, the fund is meant to supply monetary assist not just for quick and medium-length movies, but in addition for the event and manufacturing of full-length characteristic movies, that are the core of the fund. Public schooling on angle change and cultural values. Tv applications akin to dramas, animated collection, sitcoms, soaps, and comedies that intention to encourage constructive attitudes and behavioral adjustments among the many folks. Growth of cinemas in regional and district capitals. Promotion of characteristic movies by way of public relations supplies and radio and tv promoting.
4) It additionally goals to assist the coaching of analysis and trade professionals in private and non-private coaching establishments.
5) A portion of the fund may even be used for its administration and operations.
6) To qualify for this fund, you have to be a movie show developer. Filmmakers, producers, distributors, entrepreneurs, or tv professionals. TV manufacturing firm. Or a film manufacturing firm.
7) Candidates should additionally belong to an identifiable skilled group within the trade, such because the Actors Guild, Movie Producers Affiliation of Ghana (FIPAG), Ghana Academy of Movie and Tv Arts (GAFTA), Movie Administrators Guild of Ghana (FDGG), or the Movie Distributors Affiliation.
8) Most significantly, the applicant have to be registered below the Ghana Income Authority Act 2009 (Act 791). This implies you have to have a TIN and be tax compliant. Candidates should even have a license from the Nationwide Movie Authority (NFA).
9) The Board shall approve as much as 60% of the full finances estimate submitted for help.
10) Movie producers, firms and corporations below the Nationwide Movie Board are anticipated to pay a levy to assist increase the fund. This is likely one of the strategies of financing the fund required by Act 935. Subsequently, the Movie Growth Fund comes with obligations.
I’ve seen a video of actor Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly often known as Lil Win, asking for a share of the fund. His argument could appear misguided, however he is not alone in his pondering. Many filmmakers do not actually perceive what this fund is about. Many individuals do not even know there’s a levy they’re anticipated to pay to assist the fund develop. Some folks could not know that there’s a quick code (*713*8888#) that permits people to donate to assist the fund.
I sincerely hope that the federal government’s GH¢5 million seed cash will not be distributed to film folks. This quantity is already too small to have any significant influence if distributed instantly to particular person filmmakers. Reasonably, funding ought to stay the inspiration on which a movie growth fund is constructed. It is seed cash. Do not eat the seeds!
The Nationwide Movie Authority (NFA) ought to deal with increasing the fund by way of levies, partnerships, donations and fundraising earlier than main spending begins. Extra sources have to be mobilized to make the Fund sustainable sufficient to assist the trade in the long run.
The institution of this fund marks a significant milestone for the Ghanaian movie trade. Advocacy and lobbying began a very long time in the past, so it is heartening to see it lastly come this far.
Nevertheless, I do not suppose any filmmaker would complain about not receiving a lower of the cash. That is how good work is being undermined on this nation. Reasonably, we want to consider the way to elevate extra money to make the fund stronger and extra sustainable into the longer term.
In regards to the creator
Kwame Dadzie is an arts and tradition journalist at Multimedia Group Restricted. He’s the host of Pleasure FM’s GJA award-winning leisure evaluation program. arizona showbizco-host of Ghana’s largest leisure morning present, phrases of daybreakon Hits FM.
