In a bold move to spur job creation and unlock creative potential, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang has hosted renowned U.S. philanthropist Dr. Marie Lemelle and Hollywood actor Dr. Hassan Rasheed, best known for his role as a King’s Guard in Black Panther for strategic discussions on arts-led development in the constituency.
Together, they are working to establish one of Africa’s largest movie studios in Abuakwa South, a transformative initiative aimed at creating employment for the youth, nurturing local talent, and contributing to Ghana’s broader economic growth.
As part of their visit, the delegation toured the prestigious Ofori Panin Palace, where they experienced the rich culture and traditions of the Akyem Abuakwa state.
The visit was both symbolic and strategic in reconnecting diasporans with their roots while exploring creative industry partnerships in Abuakwa South to unlock employment opportunities for the Ghanaian youth.
Dr. Marie Lemelle who is a renowned philanthropist and publicist affirmed her strong commitment and desire to supporting the constituency’s creative arts sector.
She revealed that plans are well advanced in establishing one of the continent’s biggest movie studios and expressed optimism about selecting Abuakwa South as the location for the ambitious project.
She noted that the proposed arts hub will train practitioners in areas such as costuming, sound, and video engineering to meet international standards.
The ultimate goal, she said, is to position Ghana and Africa on the global creative arts stage, drive economic growth, and tackle youth unemployment across the continent.
Dr. Hassan Rasheed described the visit as a powerful emotional and cultural reconnection. He urged Africans in the diaspora to return and contribute to development efforts, highlighting the vast potential in communities like Abuakwa South and pledging continued support to help attract global attention and investment to the local creative economy.
The MP, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang however expressed deep appreciation for the visit and described the partnership as a transformational collaboration. He emphasised its potential to position the constituency as a center for economic empowerment and cultural pride.
MP for Abuakwa South further highlighted the constituency’s strategic location between Ghana’s administrative capital, Accra, and its commercial hub, Kumasi. Dr. Agyemang assured that his office stands ready to facilitate land acquisition and provide the necessary documentation to expedite the project, creating meaningful job opportunities for the youth and contributing significantly to national economic growth.
