Judge Louis Lamis, an actor and producer of the popular “Kejetia and Makola” series, has shared his thoughts on President Mahama’s recent statements regarding plans to include the creative arts industry in the 2026 budget, following what many perceived as an initial snub.
In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb‘s Joseph Henry Mensah during the National Film Dialogue on September 16, 2025, Louis Lamis noted that it’s unfortunate that the creative arts industry was not included in the earlier budget.
He explained that the government’s initial decision to ignore the creative art space from its budget sends a disturbing message to the industry.
He added that they will not be pleased with the government if it allocates a small budget despite its delay.
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“It’s unfortunate and it says a lot… They are all politicians and business people, and understand the concept of scale of preference. This sends a message that maybe our politicians do not sense the urgent need to build the creative space, but we still have time.
“Sometimes it is better late than never, so we are looking at what they bring. If they bring and it is good, we will overlook the delay, but if they bring and it is the usual, then it will be very offensive to the industry,” he said.
Louis Lamis further called on the government to pay enough attention to the creative art space.
“If I go on set, sometimes I engage not less than 100 people, and very few companies in Ghana can do that, so enough attention should be paid to people like us,” he added.
On September 16, 2025, the Ghana Film Authority held its National Film Dialogue at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, under the theme “Accelerating Industry Development.”
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The event attracted a broad mix of participants, including government officials such as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Yussif Issaka Jajah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, development partners, and professionals from across the creative arts ecosystem.
Discussions focused on innovative financing models, corporate partnerships, and enhancing global visibility for Ghanaian cinema.
Panel sessions featured industry leaders such as Ivan Quashigah (NFA Board Chair), Razak Abdulai (Chair, Film License and Accreditation Committee), and George Bosompim (Chair, Film Policy Committee).
Key topics included digital innovation, emerging film trends, financing mechanisms, and expanding distribution networks.
Organizers and stakeholders expressed optimism that the dialogue would be a catalyst for policy reforms, targeted investments, and collaborative efforts to unlock the full economic and cultural potential of Ghana’s film sector.
JHM/EB
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