Written by Joe Jackson on May 18, 2022. Posted in General Interest

USD350 million film studio will be developed in Ghana

A major new film studio and production house is being built in Ghana. The construction will be located across approximately 321 acres, creating one of the first major studios of its kind in Africa. Entrepreneur Nana Dakrabo I – also known as Michael B. Pratt – is leading the development of this state-of-the-art facility. He will partner with musician and producer Koby Maxwell, actor Michael Blackson and Washington DC’s WEG Studios, aiming to invigorate Ghanaian media production.

“Entertainment is my biggest passion,” explains Dakrabo I. “I was born in Los Angeles and raised around celebrities and executives. Essentially, I was raised around Hollywood and now I get to bring Hollywood to Ghana. My vision is to develop a Hollywood ecosystem in Ghana. Beyond the film studio, I want to see professionals in all creative industries realise their ‘Hollywood’ dreams without leaving the continent and to see a thriving entertainment industry, that attracts talent and attention from all over the world.”

The world-class studio complex - named Dakrabo 1 Studios - will feature seven soundstages and a 240-acre backlot as well as a blue-screen water tank, recording studio, and concert hall. There will also be screening theatres, office spaces and pre-/post-production facilities alongside a hotel for cast and crews and a specialist film and music school.

“Our education and technology partners are working together to create an educational experience that allows industry-leading teachers from Los Angeles to teach virtually in Ghana,” Dakrabo I adds. “It’s critical that we properly educate aspiring professionals on best practices and techniques directly from the industry’s best. This will allow us to create content at a calibre that rivals a Hollywood blockbuster.”

It is anticipated that the USD350 million development will generate thousands of jobs for Ghanian citizens. Nigeria’s Nollywood is among the largest film industries in the world, and streamers such as Netflix and Disney Plus have been investing in Africa in recent years (which we covered in our latest issue of makers magazine, pp. 28-30). With investment incoming to support the construction of the new studio complex, Dakrabo I and his team hope to transform Ghana into a continent-leading entertainment hub.

Images: @nanadakrabo