Accra:Madam Dzifa Ablah Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has reiterated the Ghanaian government's dedication to supporting initiatives that bolster the growth and sustainability of the country's audiovisual and creative industries. In a speech delivered on her behalf during the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage celebration in Accra, she emphasized the importance of preserving the works of pioneering filmmakers and continuing to support and train the next generation of industry practitioners.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts plans to implement programs and policies that will strengthen the creative economy and expand opportunities for Ghanaian creatives to reach wider audiences. Madam Gomashie highlighted the government's commitment to fostering an environment where creativity is rewarded, talents are nurtured, investment is encouraged, and cultural heritage is protected.
The theme for the 2026 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, "Your Window to the World," aimed to emphasize the necessity of protecting films, videos, recorded sounds, and digital media to ensure their long-term availability and accessibility. The event, organized by the Faculty of Digital Media and Design of the University of Media, Arts and Communication-Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) in partnership with UNESCO, also honored the works of Reverend Dr Chris Hesse, a veteran filmmaker and former presidential cinematographer to Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Madam Gomashie called for investments in the audiovisual industry, emphasizing the need for skills development and partnerships to enable practitioners to compete in the global digital content space. She also mentioned the Ministry's intention to strengthen the audiovisual industry's value chain, from content creation to distribution, exhibition, marketing, and preservation.
Dr Jim Fara Awindor, President of the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), highlighted the challenges facing Ghana's audiovisual heritage, including inadequate resources and outdated technology. He urged partners and stakeholders to support the preservation of historical materials and called for trained personnel, sustainable digital storage systems, and technical expertise for the transfer, cataloging, restoration, and maintenance of video recordings.
Mr Edmond Moukala, Head of the UNESCO Office in Accra, praised Dr Chris Hesse for his contributions to preserving Ghana's audiovisual heritage. He noted that UNESCO is implementing a project titled "Advancing the Preservation and Accessibility of African Documentary Heritage at Risk" to enhance institutional capacity and raise awareness about the importance of documentary heritage.
Dr Rebecca Ohene-Asah, Dean of the Faculty of Digital Media and Design at UniMAC-IFT, stated that the University will continue training students in emerging archival methods and programs that meet the demands of audiovisual preservation. She mentioned that the government, through the 24-Hour Economy Authority's 'Show24' sub-programme, has secured funding to digitize Ghana's audiovisual materials stored in obsolete formats, including celluloid. She encouraged students to prioritize digital preservation while creating exciting content for future generations.