Ghana has launched the 2018 Beijing Top TV Drama & Movies Broadcasting Season in Africa, at a ceremony held in Accra over the weekend. The thrilling and colourful event which took place at the forecourt of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), showcased Chinese culture ranging from food, ancient costume, calligraphy and Chinese martial arts. It was witnessed by the media, diplomats, government officials and a section of the general public.
The programme, organized by Chinese multinational media company, StarTimes Group is aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa.
Since its inception in 2014, the event has been held across to Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar and other African countries, bringing a visual and cultural feast to millions of people.
Deputy Minister for Information, Pius Enam Hadzide speaking at the launch in Accra underscored the need for the country to use the creative arts and culture industry as the engine to drive Ghanaian tourism to its socio-economic destination.
He added it was essential for both Ghana and China to collaborate in creative and film arts and challenged China to make room for Ghanaian movies.
Hadzide reiterated governments intention to make the creative arts sector more functional as indicated by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta as he presented the 2018 budget statement earlier this year to Parliament.
“Government will continue its initiatives to improve the Creative Arts sector with the establishment of a fully functional Creative Arts Secretariat and the commencement of feasibility studies to set up a Creative Arts Fund,” he stated.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Wang Shiting said Chinese TV dramas and movies have become an important new cultural bridge in building relations between the two countries.
Vice President of StarTimes Group Ms. Guo Ziqi in her remarks thanked government for its longstanding corporation with China which symbolizes the beginning of a Sino-Ghanaian cultural exchange.
StarTimes, with subsidiaries in more than 30 African countries and with almost 10 million subscribers, has partnered with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press, Radio, Film and Television to broadcast television series.
Over the years, related events have been held in many African countries, such as the Swahili dubbing competition in Tanzania and the Caravan of Chinese films and TV Dramas in Zambia. More events are expected to be held in Pan-African countries while Chinese representatives also gear up towards hosting African-related events in China in the near future.
By Mawuli Ahorlumegah