Government has allocated GH¢40 million as seed money to establish the Creative Arts and Film Fund to boost investment and sustainability within Ghana’s arts, culture, and entertainment industries.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, announced this when he presented the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government to Parliament on the theme: “Resetting for Growth, Jobs and Economic Transformation.”
He said, “Government has also allocated an amount of GH¢20 million to the Creative Arts Fund as seed money for the arts, music, fashion, food, and other creative sectors,” Dr. Forson stated.
“Similarly, GH¢20 million has been allocated to the Film Fund to revive the film industry such as Kumawood and other film associations.”
He said the government recognised the creative sector as a powerful driver of national identity, youth employment, and foreign exchange earnings, hence the renewed investment in cultural industries.
The Minister also announced that in 2026, the government would rehabilitate the National Theatre in Accra and commence site acquisition and design works for a second National Theatre in Kumasi, to decentralise cultural infrastructure and support regional artistic growth.
“The tourism and creative arts sector continue to drive national identity, youth creativity, and foreign exchange earnings. The Ministry’s focus is to modernize infrastructure, promote cultural heritage, and expand the creative economy,” he added.
Highlighting recent achievements in the sector, Dr. Forson said the 2025 National Heritage Photo Competition engaged young Ghanaians under 25 years old to showcase the nation’s heritage through photography and design an initiative that helped foster youth appreciation of culture and creativity.
He also noted that restoration works on six forts and castles had begun in line with UNESCO standards, with plans to expand the rehabilitation to other heritage sites in 2026 to strengthen Ghana’s global tourism appeal.
As part of efforts to link tourism with Ghana’s cocoa heritage, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in partnership with COCOBOD and the Cocoa Processing Company, organised the 20th National Chocolate Week to promote domestic cocoa consumption.
The Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), he said, also launched several initiatives, including the Fleet Pool Car Rental, Tourism Marketplace, and Eco-Chest Science Tour, to improve transport services, promote investment, and expand educational tourism.
Dr. Forson further noted that the National Film Authority (NFA) hosted the first National Film Dialogue with over 550 participants, strengthening collaboration, creativity, and investment in the film sector.
“In 2026, the Ministry will deepen support for creative entrepreneurs and expand incentives that help position Ghana’s film and arts sectors as global contenders,” he said.
The 2026 Budget, he added, placed strong emphasis on cultural preservation, creative innovation, and tourism development as vital pillars of Ghana’s post-recovery growth strategy.
Source: GNA
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