Sparrow Studios and OldFilm Productions have unveiled a three-film slate to commemorate Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary in 2027.
Dubbed “The 70 Slate: A Cinematic Celebration of Ghana at 70,” the projects were announced on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a press launch at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
The slate comprises The Return of Makunse, Nkrumah’s Red, Gold and Green, and a modern remake of Bob Cole’s classic I Told You So.
The Return of Makunse is scheduled for release in December 2026 and explores themes of migration, broken promises and the illusion of a better life in the diaspora.
Nkrumah’s Red, Gold and Green is set for a July 2027 cinema release. The film recounts the final 24 hours leading up to Ghana’s declaration of independence in March 1957, offering a dramatic portrayal of the events surrounding the country’s historic transition from colonial rule to independence.
The final project, I Told You So, will offer a contemporary interpretation of Bob Cole’s 1970 classic and is scheduled for release in December 2027.
The three productions are intended to entertain audiences in Ghana and abroad while deepening diaspora engagement, promoting tourism and positioning Ghana as a leading force in Africa’s evolving film industry.
Ghana will celebrate 70 years of independence on March 6, 2027, marking seven decades since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1957.
Leading Ghanaian filmmakers involved
The projects bring together some of Ghana’s prominent filmmakers, with Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Peter Sedufia, Araba Praba and Ken Attoh leading various aspects of the productions.
The initiative is executive-produced by Selassie Ibrahim and Dede Chancelor.
The cast includes established Ghanaian actors such as Adjetey Anang, Joselyn Dumas, Fella Makafui, Kwame Dzokoto, Naa Ashorkor, Augustine Abbey, Lydia Forson and Andrew Adote-Tandoh, among others.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders in Ghana’s film and creative industries, including the Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku-Pitcher, and the Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, was represented by her aide, Dr Richard Commey Fio.
National Film Authority pledges support
Speaking at the launch, Kafui Danku-Pitcher pledged the National Film Authority’s support for the initiative.
“We are not here simply to observe. We are here to support through facilitation, through regulatory clarity, through classification support, and through the platforms we have built to ensure that work of this scale gets the visibility it deserves, both locally and on the international stage,” she said.
Dr Richard Commey Fio and Kofi Okyere Darko also extended their best wishes to the production team and commended the initiative.
They said the three-film slate had the potential to contribute significantly to the growth of Ghana’s creative economy while using cinema to celebrate the country’s history, culture and identity.
With its combination of historical storytelling, contemporary themes and star-studded casts, “The 70 Slate” is expected to form part of the major cinematic activities marking Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary in 2027.
