Why Ghana’s Film Industry Stakeholders Met with the U.S. Embassy’s Cultural Attaché Representatives

I was recently invited to participate in an entertainment industry stakeholders meeting at Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

The creative arts industry is one of the most important parts of promoting a country to the world. Through film, music, fashion, culture and art, a nation is able to brand itself to the world.

The United States has been genius at selling their nation to the world through movies. We see it all the time where the American saves the world from destruction in some action or sci-fi flick. The strategic placement of the American flag waving as victory prevails and the lead character is standing somewhere that makes him appear as the savior of the world while the flag is blowing in the wind near him. These types of scenes in film subconsciously train us to believe something about their country. It's a brilliant way to execute the marketing of a nation.

As Ghana continues to be a cultural hotspot, with more and more travellers choosing the country for vacations or as a place to relocate, it's important to engage with the key stakeholders in the creative arts. It's through the arts that Ghana can also brand itself.

On May 10th, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, William Manful, Director for the Americas Bureau, brought together members of the industry to have a conversation about best practices to promote and engage Ghana with foreign industry players who may have a keen interest in potential collaborative efforts.

The National Film Authority is the first port of call for those in the international film industry seeking to produce projects in Ghana. With more people expressing interest in filming movies in Ghana their office has been engaging in dialogue with some American Productions seeking to make movies in Ghana. Producer/Actor Idris Elba has expressed his desire to build a film studio and produce content in Ghana. Discussions are also underway to possibly film the movie, Girl's Trip 2 in Ghana.

Two representatives of the U.S. Embassy's Cultural department, Ginny Elliottt and Laneice Brooker, were also in attendance at the meeting to add their contribution to the conversation. They clarified that the U.S. Embassy does not have regular contact with celebrities. They do have ongoing programs to grow and develop cultural activities in Ghana including the Women in Motion film festival they had in March of this year to promote women in Film.

Industry stakeholders at the meeting included the National Film Authority office, Producer Agbeko Bex Morty, Casting Director/Actress Nancy Bomah, Ghana Culture Forum Chairman, Fiati Kenneth Senyo, and TV Presenter Alexis Laura Daniels.

The meeting was prompted after the recent visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris came with a delegation of high profile people in the creative arts industry including Award Winning Filmmaker, Spike Lee. It was after a media interview where Lee claimed he was not aware of Ghana having a film industry because he would have liked to connect. That statement triggered many in Ghana's film/TV industry to express disappointment and even outrage that they felt they were not included in possible engagement.

It was known that the Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President was a key in having information on the visit of Spike Lee. Director of Diaspora Affairs, Akwasi Ababio, was also at the meeting along with Einstein Ntim who does Diaspora Engagement at that office. Mr. Ababio shared insights on the disconnect with Spike Lee on his visit to Ghana. He said he made the efforts to connect with the CEO of the Creative Arts Council, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo to make efforts in connecting. He said Spike Lee's time in Ghana was so limited with the itinerary of VP Harris, it left no room for meetings.

Frank Owusu, Deputy CEO of Creative Arts Council shared many insightful ideas during the meeting including the suggestion for an arts representative within the Ghana Embassies and Consulates in the U.S. to identify who is coming into the country that may be of interest for the creative community.

The value of engaging with institutions and stakeholders to support growth in Ghana's creative industries is important.

The meeting came to a close with the suggestion to continue dialogue and pushing engagement with the necessary stakeholders in order to build an industry that collaborates with its foreign counterparts.