A bold new chapter in Ghanaian cinema is unfolding with the production of King of T3ma, an ambitious crime drama rooted deeply in the culture, struggles and spirit of Tema, one of Ghana’s most dynamic port cities.

Produced by Anibok Studios and directed by Kobina de Graft-Johnson, the film is crafted as a gritty, character-driven story that goes beyond genre tropes to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, power, faith and ambition in an urban Ghanaian setting.

At its core, King of T3ma follows young men caught between survival and moral peril—such as Paa Kwesi, who is forced to work for a notorious criminal overlord to save his sick mother from the brink of despair. This narrative arc reflects the economic and social tensions of life in a city where every choice carries weight, portraying characters whose personal journeys mirror wider community challenges.

The production brings together a powerful ensemble cast that includes veteran actor Fred Amugi, leading man Kingsley Yamoah, rising star David “Big Tim” Osabutey, Kweku Elliott, Mynna Otoo, Melvin Dain, Naya Pratt and others, blending seasoned talent with fresh faces to convey the story’s emotional and cultural depth.

De Graft-Johnson has said the project is “not just a story about crime; it is a story about Ghana, about Tema, about us,” noting that authentic African narratives deserve to command a place on the world stage.

The film is conceived, written, directed and produced by voices rooted in the very community it depicts, marking a milestone as one of the first major features conceived entirely by a Tema native.

Music and sound play central roles in shaping the film’s atmosphere, with Tema-born music producer White Gold—who has collaborated on Billboard-charting tracks with American rapper Eminem—contributing to the soundtrack. Award-winning composer Pascal Aka also provides a score that fuses underground hip-hop energy with cinematic gravitas, reinforcing the story’s urban pulse and emotional resonance.

King of T3ma is being positioned not only as a compelling local drama but as a cultural export capable of resonating with global audiences.

Ghana’s cultural and creative industries have earned global recognition, with the country placing 9th in the world for Cultural and Creative Services Exports in the newly released Global Innovation Index 2025.

The recognition is a remarkable achievement that highlights the expanding influence of Ghanaian culture, music, fashion, film, and art on the international stage.

While Ghana’s overall Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking stands at 101 out of 139 economies, the standout performance in the creative sector shows a growing strength in innovation outputs where culture meets commerce.

Ghana’s Global Creative Impact

The Cultural and Creative Services Exports metric tracks how countries sell creative outputs — such as music, film, design, and digital content — across borders. Ghana’s top-10 placement reflects not just the popularity of its cultural exports but also the economic potential of its creative ecosystem.

This rise comes amid broader growth in the global creative economy, which is estimated to generate more than $2 trillion annually, accounting for approximately 3.1 percent of global GDP. Africa alone is estimated to employ millions in cultural and creative roles, driving job creation and economic diversification.

Ghana’s creative rise includes achievements in several key areas:

• Music and Entertainment: Ghanaian artists such as Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Black Sherif and Amaarae continue to build global audiences through streaming platforms, collaborations, and international tours — amplifying the country’s cultural footprint.
• Fashion and Design: Ghanaian fashion designers are gaining global visibility, merging Afrocentric aesthetics with contemporary design, attracting attention from international markets and fashion weeks.
• Film and Visual Arts: Ghanaian cinema and visual artists are increasingly featured on global platforms, contributing to cultural storytelling that resonates with diaspora and international audiences alike.
• Digital and Creative Media: Content creators leveraging platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram are building global followings, expanding both cultural influence and export value.

Why This Matters for Ghana

Experts and industry stakeholders see Ghana’s top-10 ranking in creative exports as a sign of structural transition — from cultural production being primarily local consumption to becoming a major economic driver with global reach.

“Ghana’s creative industry is fast becoming a vibrant engine of culture and commerce,” noted a recent Business & Financial Times analysis that highlighted the need for deeper investment to fully scale the sector’s potential.

Initiatives like the Fidelity Cultural and Creative Fund are being introduced to help bridge financing gaps and support long-term growth in creative sectors.

This recognition also complements broader innovation and digital transformation efforts in the country — including strategic investment in tech and creative clusters — designed to position Ghana as an innovation hub across Africa.

Challenges and Forward Momentum

Despite the spotlight on creative exports, Ghana’s overall innovation performance suggests room for improvement in areas such as research and development, technological innovation, and infrastructure investment — key drivers that can further strengthen the ecosystem supporting cultural exports.

Yet, experts argue that the cultural sector’s momentum offers a blueprint for sustainable, export-oriented growth that combines creative expression with economic impact.

A Global Audience, A Growing Market

As Ghana celebrates its top-10 ranking in cultural and creative exports, the message is clear: the country is not just a consumer of global trends, but a generator of cultural value with global resonance.

With sustained investment, supportive policy frameworks, and continued grassroots innovation, Ghana’s creative economy is poised to play an even greater role in the global economic and cultural landscape.

What has been billed as a “world-class tourism enclave” along the capital’s coastline is slowly moving forward after years of delays, funding challenges and community concerns.

The Accra Marine Drive Project, a US $1.2 billion waterfront redevelopment initiative, is intended to transform more than 240 acres of prime beachfront property into a mixed-use commercial, cultural and leisure hub — but progress has been uneven, and uncertainty remains about when full construction will begin.

A Vision Years in the Making

Originally conceived decades ago and formally approved by Cabinet in 2016, the Marine Drive Project aims to stretch from Christiansborg Castle in Osu to the Arts Centre in the Ga Mashie enclave, reimagining Accra’s beachfront as a global-standard tourism destination. The masterplan — developed with input from world-renowned architect Sir David Adjaye — envisions a sweeping promenade linking national landmarks, a National Concert Hall, green public spaces, cultural villages, hotels, shopping centres, and other mixed-use developments designed to boost tourism, jobs and foreign direct investment.

Officials have described the scheme as the largest tourism investment project in Ghana since independence, with the potential to create thousands of jobs and elevate the country’s regional and global profile.

Yet despite the ambition, actual construction work has progressed slowly. The project has faced longstanding hurdles — from financing setbacks and land compensation disputes to misapplied funds and changing political priorities — that have stalled momentum. In 2023, the government acknowledged that the project’s accounts were depleted and that work was lagging due to funding gaps, while nearly GH¢386,296 in misused funds still had not been recovered.

Renewed Push for Accountability and Results

In mid-December 2025, Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie inaugurated a new Board of Directors tasked with energising project implementation and restoring public confidence. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Gomashie urged board members to deliver “timely results, accountability and transparency,” warning that the prolonged delays are no longer acceptable for what she described as a “flagship national investment.”

“The public expects results,” Gomashie said, placing the initiative at the heart of Ghana’s economic transformation strategy.

She urged board members to align closely with government priorities, safeguard value for money, and act swiftly to attract private capital and create jobs.

Deputy Tourism Minister Yussif Issaka Jajah, who chairs the new board, welcomed the directive and pledged to review existing proposals, establish a technical committee and begin early-year stakeholder engagements to reposition the project for success.

Hopes, Concerns and Community Impact

While government officials point out the economic benefits, the project has drawn criticism for its potential impact on local livelihoods and cultural heritage. Past reports warned that more than 3,000 artisans and workers at the historic Arts Centre faced displacement as the waterfront enclave was prepared for development, raising questions about how to balance modernization with community preservation.

Urban planners and civil society voices have also questioned whether the pace of work reflects Ghana’s broader needs amid fiscal pressures and competing development priorities, or if the project risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive. Still, proponents argue that the Marine Drive could catalyze broader coastal regeneration and enhance Ghana’s appeal as an international destination.

A Global Ambition with Local Stakes

The Marine Drive is not just a domestic endeavour — it sits at the intersection of urban planning, tourism competitiveness and global investment flows. By linking Accra’s historic core with world-class waterfront amenities, the project’s success could signal Ghana’s readiness to lead in high-value tourism infrastructure in West Africa.

Critically, the renewed focus from the Ministry and the new board’s mandate for accountability reflect broader efforts within government to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and align flagship projects with tangible outcomes for citizens and investors alike.

As 2026 unfolds and with a new board in place, the world will be watching closely to see whether Accra’s Marine Drive can finally match its grand vision with grounded progress — and whether its long-awaited transformation of Ghana’s coastline will at last become reality.