Ghana will celebrate its 70th Independence anniversary next year with a new cinematic project called The 70 Slate. The initiative, unveiled on 8 September at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, brings together two of the country’s most celebrated filmmakers, Shirley Frimpong‑Manso of Sparrow Studios and Peter Sedufia of OldFilm Productions, to produce three feature films that trace the nation’s journey.
The three movies, slated for release in 2026 and 2027, are The Return of Makunse (December 2026), Nkrumah’s Red, Gold and Green (July 2027) and I Told You So (December 2027). The first film follows a migrant’s search for a better life and the promises left behind, the second revisits the final 24 hours before Ghana’s independence in March 1957, and the third re‑imagines a popular music‑comedy show for a contemporary audience.
“We wanted to tell Ghanaian stories from different perspectives, celebrate where we have come from, reflect on where we are today and imagine where we are going,” said Peter Sedufia. He added that the slate is “our way of using cinema to celebrate Ghana at 70 while creating films that can travel beyond Ghana and connect with audiences around the world.”
Shirley Frimpong‑Manso echoed the sentiment, noting that the project “is intended to encourage Ghanaians to reflect on our history and identity, inspire pride and unity, and examine who we have become as a society.” She also highlighted the importance of global distribution and diaspora engagement.
The collaboration is backed by the National Film Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Diaspora Affairs Office of the President. Executive producers include Dede Chancellor of Chancellor Productions Africa and Selassie Ibrahim of Smartys Production. Brand partners feature Nestlé Ghana, GLICO and Silverbird Cinemas.
A diverse cast is already in the works, with veteran actors such as Fela Makafui, Augustine Abbey, Kojo Boakye, Joselyn Dumas, Naa Ashorkor Mensah‑Doku, Adjetey Anang, Kwame Dzokoto and Priscilla Ahiable, alongside emerging talents. Casting calls remain open for actors interested in joining the project.
With the first film set to open the slate in December, The 70 Slate promises to transform Ghana’s 70th anniversary into a cinematic celebration that reaches audiences at home and abroad, positioning the country as a growing creative force in Africa’s film industry.
