Idrissa Akuna Elba, a British actor, paid a courtesy call to his Ghanaian roots and made a promise to President Akufo-Addo to improve the country’s film industry, beginning with his film, which he intends to bring to Ghana.
Many diasporans, including international celebrities, have taken a keen interest in Ghana as part of the Year of Return and Beyond the Return schemes.
Idris Elba is the latest celebrity to set up shop in Ghana, intending to shoot in Ghana, help fine-tune film policies, and establish a film school to honor his Ghanaian roots (Idris Elba was born to Sierra Leonean Creole man and a Ghanaian woman).
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Idris Elba paid a courtesy call to the Jubilee House during his visit to Ghana, where he spoke with the president about his plans for the motherland.
According to Idris Elba, a thriving film industry begins with policy. He noted that countries such as South Africa, Europe, Greece, and Morocco have invested in policies because they understand the monetary value of the film industry.
“I have a film that I'm directing and hoping to bring that film or at least some of that film to shoot in Ghana. That film will be here in December” – Idris Elba to Prez Akufo-Addo pic.twitter.com/DFIoYKPwzq
— Nαɳα Kɯαɱҽ (@NanaKwame_off) February 4, 2023
Speaking of Ghana’s film industry, Idris Elba thanks the NFA for assisting in the production of his upcoming ‘Ghanaian’ film.
“The National Film Authority has completed the task. Create a comprehensive strategy to propel Ghana to the forefront. It must be strong. It must be competitive. We are certain, and I know you believe in the legacy you want to leave behind, that Ghana should take the initiative to begin attracting those filmmakers.
“What I want to do is that I have a film that I’m directing, and I’m hoping to bring that film, or at least some of that film, to shoot it in Ghana. The film will be released in December. In August, we will begin pre-production. Some of the films will be in Ghana by December in two or three weeks.”
According to Idris Elba, this initiative will demonstrate to the world that Ghana is open for business!
