NEWS

TOURISM MINISTER ORDERS OCCUPANTS OF ABANDONED COMMUNITY CINEMAS TO VACATE FOR RENOVATION WORKS

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has ordered people residing in deserted community theatres around the country have been ordered to leave to make room for the planned renovation and revitalisation of regional cinematography.

During her two-day working tour of the Ashanti Region, where she visited several tourism, cultural, and creative arts locations and engaged stakeholders on enhancing the sector, Mrs Gomashie issued the directive.

According to the Minister, the abandoned cinemas contain enormous potential for community development and the expansion of the creative arts.

One of the biggest challenges to the government’s rebuilding plan, according to her, is the unapproved occupation of the structures.

“These community cinemas are key assets for reviving our film culture and boosting local creativity. We cannot proceed with renovation works while people continue to occupy them unlawfully. They must vacate immediately,” the Minister stated.

She also emphasised that the restoration of these institutions is a component of a larger strategy to boost community entertainment, promote film production, and build the nation’s creative economy.

The Minister visited with Kumawood actors, leaders in the hotel sector, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) during her engagements. Strategies to strengthen the creative arts value chain and increase tourism appeal in the Ashanti Region were the main topics of discussion.

The General Secretary of the Kumawood Actors Association, Mr Emmanuel Anane, also raised major concerns affecting the movie industry, including heavy taxation by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

“One of our biggest challenges is the high taxes imposed on filmmakers after movie premieres. These charges are crippling and make it difficult for the industry to grow,” he lamented.

As part of the government’s efforts to promote tourism and the creative arts as important contributors to national development, Mrs. Gomashie is anticipated to continue her regional tour.

 

 

NKONKONSA.com

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