The Vice Chancellor of the University of Media Arts and communication (UniMAC) has called on government to prioritize investment in creative arts education following new budgetary allocations to the sector.
Speaking at the Institute of Film and Television’s Open Day in Cantonment, Accra on Friday, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah said Ghana’s ambition to reposition its creative economy must begin with strengthening the institutions that train its workforce.
The event, themed “Reel connections, telling our stories together!” brought together dignitaries, faculty members, creative leaders, industry professionals, alumni, students and parents. Among the distinguished guests was the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, whose presence underscored the government’s growing interest in the creative sector.
Prof. Opoku Mensah remarks followed the 2026 Budget Statement delivered in parliament on Thursday by the Finance Minister Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.The budget includes GH 20 million each for a film fund and a Creative Arts Fund to support sectors such as film industry, fashion, music, and food.
While applauding the initiative, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that UniMAC-IFT must be prioritized as the training hub for the sector’s future workforce.
“A film fund without a strong film school will yield only half its potential,” Prof. Opoku Mensah said. “A creative Arts Fund without investment in the training institution that supplies the human capital will not reach its full impact.”
He described UniMAC-IFT as the “engine room” of Ghana’s creative future and the need to prioritize its development. “IFT is not just another school; it is the hope of Ghana’s creative future.” He added. “If Ghana is truly committed to repositioning the creative economy, then the training hub, the engine room, the place where the story tellers, cinematographers, producers, animators, editors, sound engineers, and creative leaders are formed, must be strengthened and that place, without any contradiction is UniMAC-IFT.”
However, he noted that the institute currently operates from a rented facility.
“IFT must be seen as a critical national asset, not a peripheral institution, a nation’s strategic institution can not remain in a rented premises while it trains the labour force for a sector government seeks to expand, modernize and use to drive the national identity agenda.” He said.
He appealed to the government to prioritize investment in the institution’s development.
“ We are ready, we are prepared, we are positioned. We only need government to match our readiness with the needed investment.” He stated. “We therefore humbly appeal to the government to send some of these allocations to IFT’s way to revamp the creative arts education.”
Prof. Opoku Mensah said the school’s contribution to national identity and youth development must be recognized through sustained funding and infrastructure.
The Open Day featured exhibitions of student work, interactive sessions with faculty and guided tours of the campus.
As Ghana seeks to reposition its creative economy, UniMAC-IFT’s leadership insists that sustainable growth must begin with strategic investment in education and training.
UniMAC IFT is part of the University of Media Arts and Communication, which was formed to consolidate Ghana’s media and creative arts training institutions. The institute has produced several award-winning film makers and media professionals.