Let’s not project a poor image of Ghana in movies –Tourism Minister urges filmmakers

THE Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, has called on Ghanaian filmmakers to shift their focus away from portraying the vulnerable aspects of the country in their productions.

The deputy minister expressed concern that showing the country's negative side in movies and other productions does not present Ghana in a positive light to the global community and defeats the efforts of promoting Ghana as an attractive and vibrant tourist destination.

Mr Okraku Mantey made this call at a recent stakeholder engagement organised by the Ministry of Information and other state agencies, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) and the Creative Arts Agency (CAA).

The meeting was aimed, among others, to gather insights from creatives and other players in the creative space for the promotion of the #playghana initiative.

According to him, a positive portrayal of the country would enhance its appeal as a tourist destination. “Other countries are not showing their weaknesses so we should not dwell on the bad but project the good. If you go to Nigeria and other sister countries, you will see that they have put an end to this habit of showing their weaknesses to the world.

“They always want you to see the positive side and not the negatives. Let us be intentional about showcasing the unique attributes and positive cultural experiences of our beloved country in our movies.

“Show Ghana anyway possible, either physically, virtually or any other means in a very positive light so that people will see the good things we have in this country,” he added.

As the December festivities in Ghana kick off, Mr Okraku Mantey also called for a more hospitable approach from the public.

He emphasised the importance of treating tourists and Diasporans with warmth and kindness, highlighting that their positive experience in the country could significantly impact Ghana's tourism industry.

"Let's sell hospitality this season and be nice to the people who are coming in. Their presence in the country is a big boost for our tourism industry. Creating a sense of belonging for visitors will encourage them to consider Ghana as their next tourist destination,” he