Ghana outlines 20% tax rebate for film productions

Ghana has announced a 20% tax rebate for film production, a first for the nation. 

The new law was announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo during a State of the Nation address on Tuesday February 27.

In his address, President Akufo-Addo said, “Government, through the National Film Authority, is committed to supporting the production of world-class content and films, as well as increasing the cinema infrastructure in Ghana and, by extension, on the continent.

"To that end, the favourable fiscal tax regime for cinema projects including including income tax and VAT incentives, import duty exemptions on film production equipment, and 20% film tax rebate for strategic film production and financing reliefs is being elaborated by cabinet which should be out-doored very soon, and should provide another tangible reason for Ghana as a film production country." 

The National Film Authority of Ghana, led by Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, has sought to make a name for Ghana as a leading film production location through initiatives like the Shoot in Ghana campaign, which endeavoured to up infrastructure and crew skills at a local level, with the Ghanian National Film Authority aiming for inward investment productions to employ 80% of crew from Ghana.

The campaign resulted in securing an NFL ad 'Born to Play', directed by Andrew Dosunmu and produced by Julia Paskert and Zach Fortin of Method Studios. 

Notable high profile productions to shoot in Ghana include portions of Tri Star's The Woman King and the BBC series Black Earth Rising starring Michaela Coel.