Accra is set to become a major hub for Africa’s television and creative industries this July as an ambitious professional development and creative economy program launches.
The 2026 Ghana Creative Economy Initiative was developed and curated by Dorina Amina Abubakar, a Ghanaian-British producer, film programmer and creative industries strategist, who also serves as the Program Director of African Creative TV. The program brings together an international coalition of filmmakers, technology companies, investors, cultural institutions and industry leaders to strengthen professional and commercial connections.
The program is anchored by three pillars: an intensive Directing Lab for established producer-director teams from across the continent, a series of free public masterclasses for Ghanaian creatives, and a high-level Creative Economy Summit convening industry, investors and policymakers.
From 14 to 23 July, the Directing Lab will convene eight established producer-director teams from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa for an intensive 10-day workshop. Participants, whose credits span Netflix, Showmax and Amazon Prime Video, will work through an advanced curriculum covering directing methodology, visual storytelling, on-set leadership and producer-director collaboration, culminating in a live production day.
Leading the Directing Lab are acclaimed television director Rachel Raimist, whose directing credits include Elsbeth, Bel-Air, Queen Sugar, CSI: Vegas and Fantasy Island, alongside award-winning television writer, producer and creator Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, best known for creating the global hit CBS drama S.W.A.T. and for his work on Friday Night Lights, The Get Down and Sleepy Hollow.
The Pan-African cohort includes established talent Nicole Amarteifio, Maame Adjei, Princess Nkrumah, Gene Adu, Judith Audu, Uyoyou Adia, Adeniyi Joseph Omobulejo, Precious Okpala, Brian Munene, Likarion Wainaina, Mkamzee Mwatela, Louiza Wanjiku, Phuthi Nakene, Vivek Mehta, Nomusa Nzima and Athi Petela.
Running from 20 to 24 July at venues including Google Accra, Silverbird Cinemas, Akuna Pod and the American Spaces Library, the Local Community Engagement program will offer Ghanaian filmmakers, producers, writers and emerging media professionals free public-facing masterclasses on development, pitching, packaging, micro-dramas, mobile cinema and pathways to market, led by Quan Phung, Paul Garnes and Sidra Smith.
The centerpiece of the program will be the Creative Economy Summit on 22 July at Google Accra. The summit will convene filmmakers, investors, technology companies, corporate leaders, policymakers and cultural institutions to explore how storytelling, digital innovation and strategic investment can accelerate Ghana’s creative economy.
Participating and supporting organizations across the initiative include Google, Akuna Group, MultiChoice (a Canal+ Company), MTN, AfroFuture, The Black Star Experience, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana’s National Film Authority and Global Media Alliance. Also involved as an implementing partner is Sahihi Africa, led by Becky Muikia.
Speaking ahead of the program, Dorina Amina Abubakar said: “Africa is producing extraordinary creative talent, but the next chapter of growth depends on building stronger professional networks, developing globally competitive projects and creating meaningful pathways to investment and international collaboration. As a Ghanaian, I have seen firsthand that Ghana has all the ingredients to become a leading creative economy hub, and this initiative is about bringing together the people, ideas and partnerships that can help accelerate that future.”
She continued:”This is more than a one-off summit or event. It is a platform for long-term collaboration between global experts and African creators, industry leaders, technology companies, investors and institutions. We want creatives to leave not only inspired, but better connected, better equipped and better positioned to compete on the global stage.”
The program reflects a growing recognition that Africa’s creative industries represent one of the continent’s most significant economic opportunities. As global demand for African stories continues to rise, initiatives that combine professional development, international collaboration and investment are becoming increasingly important in shaping the future of the industry.
For Ghana, the arrival of some of the world’s leading television creators represents another milestone in the country’s emergence as a destination for creative excellence, innovation and international partnership.
Further programming details, including the Creative Economy Summit agenda and confirmed panelists, will be announced in the lead-up to the event.
