There is the need for the state to support the movie industry in order to elevate the status of Ghanaian actors and actresses to attract the same attention as their colleague counterparts in other countries, Catherine Afeku, Minister-designate for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has said.

According to her, if Hollywood actors and actresses are able to attract attention with people travelling from all over the word for their autographs, Ghanaian actresses and actors should also be able to attract such attention.

Ms Afeku made these comments when she, together with some actors and actresses, paid a visit to veteran actor Emmanuel Armah, who is currently bedridden at the 37 Military Hospital battling an unknown ailment.

She said: “We are praying hard for our uncle Emmanuel Armah to recover from his sickness and get back to the screens to entertain Ghanaians.

“We need to support the actors and actresses just as other countries have supported their actors and actresses to achieve a respectable status in their countries. People travel for autographs from Hollywood and so we can also support our actors and actress to attract same attention.

“We have to cherish our own and I am happy I came to show solidarity. We will pray for him to recover. His condition has given an idea that there should be a welfare [scheme] for the actors and actresses. We know that the past government started [something] but it should be properly constituted with the Creative [Arts] Council.

“Hopefully when approved, we will look at this to support our movie players. We should be happy that we are Ghanaians. I am a proud Ghanaian and I am willing to serve my country.”