Renowned British actor and filmmaker Idris Elba has expressed his commitment to revitalising Africa’s film industry by proposing a partnership with the Ghanaian government.
His vision is to establish a state-of-the-art film and creative village near Osu Castle, aimed at training and employing creatives while fostering local storytelling.
During his visit to Ghana, Elba met with President Mahama at the Jubilee House to discuss the initiative. He emphasised the importance of a dedicated creative hub to drive employment and education within the sector.
“We are hoping to build on this conversation,” Elba said. “You have been very focused on the creative sector. By working with you on ‘Beasts of No Nation’ not long ago, we remain dedicated to fostering Ghana’s creative industry. We have identified an opportunity near Osu Castle to establish a centre that will include schools and creative facilities, ultimately serving as a home for the creative sector.”
He stressed that the project is designed to provide training and create job opportunities for Ghanaian creatives. “It is centred around education and infrastructure, helping to build a skilled workforce while promoting local talent,” he added.
President Mahama welcomed the idea and highlighted the historical significance of Osu Castle, noting that while it is a UNESCO heritage site, it can be restored to its original state. “The castle has been abandoned for quite a while,” he said.
“There are historic places within it, such as where Rawlings and other leaders once stayed. It would be interesting for tourists to visit these places, including the Queen’s bedroom.”
The President also shared plans to develop a crafts market alongside the project.
“We are looking to establish a market where people can buy African crafts and jewellery. Ghana, once known as the Gold Coast, has a rich tradition of jewellery-making, and we want to create a space to promote Ghanaian and African craftsmanship.”
Idris Elba further emphasised the need for competitive policies to attract international productions to Ghana. “I have been in the industry for 30 years, and I am at a point where I can bring work to places that matter to me,” he stated.
“For Ghana to be a viable destination for international film projects, we need policies that facilitate smooth operations from equipment imports and tax regulations to insurance and labour laws. If I want to shoot a film set in America but film it in Ghana, we must ensure the necessary infrastructure and policies are in place.”
President Mahama concluded by acknowledging the potential increase in activity around Osu Castle, stressing the need for urban planning. “We need to do some urban planning around the castle because of the traffic this project will bring to the district,” he said.
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