Mahama Vows to Ban Foreign Films from Presidential Jet in Support of Local Film Industry

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to remove foreign movies from the entertainment system aboard Ghana’s presidential jet, reaffirming his strong support for the local film industry.

The President made this announcement during the launch of the “Black Star Experience” held at the Black Star Square on May 1, 2025. He emphasized that this is not a new stance, recalling that he issued a similar directive during his first term in office.

President Mahama explained that once the presidential aircraft returns from servicing, he will officially instruct that only Ghanaian films be screened on board. “Back in my previous term, I gave the order to stop showing foreign movies on the presidential jet. I plan to reinstate that policy. Once the plane is back, I’ll ask that the foreign films be replaced with Ghanaian ones,” he said.

Drawing on his early exposure to performing arts as a student at the University of Ghana, Legon, Mahama recounted the vibrant drama and choreography performances he witnessed and supported. “We had a small drama studio and our students would put on these beautiful African performances. We paid to watch them, and they did well — it showed the strength of our culture and talent,” he reminisced.

He also shared a fond memory of watching a Kumawood film featuring actors LilWin and Van Vicker. The storyline, he said, involved LilWin and his wife stumbling upon Van Vicker after an attack, humorously mistaking him for a white man who had fallen from a plane. “These are creative, entertaining stories. We have the talent and the stories — we just need to support our own,” the President said.

Mahama’s comments underline a broader push to promote Ghanaian arts and culture, especially in media and film, as part of a national identity and economic development effort.