Kafui Danku
The government has released GH¢5 million out of the GH¢20 million allocated to the Film Development Fund but the National Film Authority (NFA) says not every filmmaker will have access to the money.
The amount, which forms part of the government’s commitment to revive Ghana’s film industry, has been paid into the NFA’s account.
The Executive Secretary of the NFA, Kafui Danku, has reportedly confirmed in an interview that the government had so far released GH¢5 million of the GH¢20 million promised in the 2026 Budget.
While many industry players have welcomed the release of the funds, the NFA has cautioned that the money is not available to all filmmakers.
According to the Authority, only eligible applicants and qualifying projects will be considered for support under the scheme.
“It is not a ‘wonkye nni’ fund,” the NFA explained, stressing that beneficiaries will be required to repay funds received for their projects.
The Authority noted that the Film Development Fund has a specific mandate under the Film Act and is designed to support selected feature films, television productions, cinema theatre development, research, training and public education projects.
To qualify, applicants must be licensed by the NFA, belong to recognised industry associations and be tax compliant. Filmmakers must also meet other requirements outlined under the fund’s guidelines.
In addition, the Board of the fund can approve support for only up to 60 per cent of a project’s total budget.
The GH¢20 million allocation was announced by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in the 2026 Budget as seed funding to help revive Ghana’s struggling film industry, including Kumawood and other film sectors.
With only GH¢5 million released so far and strict eligibility requirements in place, many filmmakers may have to wait to see whether they qualify for support under the new initiative.