Minister for Tourism Launches 2026 EU Film Festival Ghana

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has launched the European Union Film Festival Ghana 2026, describing the initiative as more than a film festival but a celebration of culture, creativity, dialogue and friendship between Ghana and the European Union.

The launch ceremony, held in Accra on Monday, October 5, 2026, brought together members of the diplomatic corps, EU Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Rune Skinnebach, Chief Executive Officer of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku, filmmakers, creative industry practitioners and stakeholders in the tourism and cultural sectors.

Addressing guests at the ceremony, Abla Gomashie said the growing global recognition of the role of culture and creative industries in national development makes such partnerships particularly important for Ghana.

“Tonight’s gathering, in addition to being the opening of a film festival, is also a celebration of a beautiful culture, creativity, dialogue, and friendship between Ghana and the European Union,” she said.

According to the Minister, Ghana’s culture remains one of the country’s greatest national assets, contributing significantly to national identity, employment, entrepreneurship, tourism and international engagement.

“Our culture is one of our greatest national assets and contributes not only to our national identity, but also to employment, entrepreneurship, tourism, and international engagement. Creative industries provide opportunities for many people and especially our young people to develop their talents and participate meaningfully in the economy,” she stated.

She stressed the importance of partnerships in developing Ghana’s creative sector, particularly collaboration between government and industry, Ghana and other countries, as well as local creative communities and international partners.

The Minister said the government’s responsibility is to create an enabling environment where talent and opportunities can thrive, adding that the government, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, is working towards that objective with the support of stakeholders and development partners such as the European Union.

She welcomed the growing cultural and creative cooperation between Ghana and the EU, noting that the partnership could open up opportunities for co-productions, capacity building, knowledge exchange, technology transfer, cultural dialogue and increased access to international markets for Ghanaian creative works.

“There are opportunities for co-productions, capacity building, knowledge exchanges, technology transfer, cultural dialogue, and greater access to circulation of Ghanaian creative works to international markets. We are not in short supply of talents. What we are in short supply of are opportunities for these talents to be shared with the world. And I’m grateful that the European Union is taking the lead and creating a platform,” she added.

Abla Gomashie said the EU Film Festival would bring together different cinematic traditions while demonstrating how film can serve as a bridge between societies and cultures.

She also highlighted the European Union’s support for the revision of Ghana’s Cultural Policy, which she presented during the event.

“The revised Cultural Policy of Ghana provides an important framework for strengthening Ghana’s cultural sector and positioning culture and creativity more firmly within our national development agenda,” she noted.

The Minister further expressed appreciation to the EU for its commitment under the Sankofa II project to support the national sensitisation and dissemination of the revised Cultural Policy.

“This is especially important because a policy becomes meaningful when its vision, objectives, and opportunities are understood and embraced by the people who are expected to implement and benefit from it. We therefore look forward to working closely with the European Union and other partners as we take the policy to stakeholders across the country,” she said.

Encouraging Ghanaian filmmakers to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, the Minister urged them to tell their stories boldly and authentically, reflecting Ghanaian realities while connecting with audiences across Africa, the diaspora and the wider world.

“Remember, we have the opportunity to tell the story from our perspective. I urge you to recall the adage that says, until the lion learns to tell its own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter,” she said.

She assured creative industry practitioners that government would continue engaging stakeholders to identify barriers affecting the sector and develop practical interventions to unlock new opportunities.

The Minister thanked the European Union for the initiative and expressed hope that the films screened during the festival would remind audiences that despite differences in culture and background, the ability to dream, create, tell stories and connect remains universal.

The EU Film Festival Ghana 2026 is expected to feature a selection of European and Ghanaian films over several days, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, networking and collaboration among filmmakers and creative industry practitioners.

Source: GBC