Location for National Film Village not decided yet – Tourism Minister clear the air

Minister for Tourism, Arts And Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi has dismissed claims by the Creative Arts Forum in the Ashanti Region over the relocation of the proposed film village from Kunsu to Sekyere in the Region.

The Minister in a stakeholder meeting in Kumasi, Friday, September 18, 2020 said the Government of Ghana among other agencies partnered for the construction had not settled on a site for the film village yet.

“A decision has not been taken yet on the exact site for the Film Village yet although we know it would be built in the Ashanti Region. We have so far been presented with three (3) sites including Hemang, Sekyere and Kunsu” thepublisheronline.com quoted her to have said.

The construction of the film village has become a topical issue in the Creative Arts Industry with many Industry stakeholders opposing the venue for the construction.

A few days ago, it emerged that two stakeholder groups have clashed over the location of the project which has seen FIPAG threatening to demonstrate if the project is not sited at Kunsu on a land Mercy Asiedu’s husband has promised to gift the government.

Film Producers Association of Ghana threaten demonstration over Film Village relocation

Also, members of the Creative Forum Ashanti led by broadcaster Austine Woode held a press conference last Wednesday, September 16, 2020, to register their displeasure over the relocation move after traditional rulers in Hemang and Sekyere also presented free lands to the government for the same project.

Where Exactly Is The Film Village Going To Be Built? – Creative Forum, Ashanti Questions Minister

Madam Barbara Oteng Gyasi however assured industry players off plans to assist the already existing film village in Kunsi to access the Ghana Tourism Development Project Fund for site developers to help them continue production ahead of the intended new project.