President Akufo-Addo
Cinema houses and theatre owners on Monday afternoon engaged with Presidential task force on COVID-19 on protocols that could be put in place to enable the easing of restrictions in the film industry.
Cinemas and theatres have been closed since March 2020. Last week, during the launch of the Presidential Film Pitch, President Akufo-Addo announced that engagements were ongoing.
Monday afternoon’s meeting was attended by Dr. Asamoah Baah and Dr. Nsiah Asare of the Presidential Task Force, officials of the Ministry of Tourism, and officials of the Ghana Tourism Authority, which is the regulatory agency for cinema houses and theaters, and some key cinema operators in Ghana.
Sources at the meeting indicated that further engagements have been lined up and are confident that it will pave the way for the easing of some of the restrictions in the industry.
Since July 2020, filmmakers have been clamouring for cinemas to be opened. But the cinemas remained closed as part of government measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. However, stakeholders have been pressured to allow the film industry to function by the opening of cinemas, but with adherence to COVID-19 protocols just as it is done in offices, churches and at conferences.