The University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) has received state-of-the-art studio equipment package from the Elba Hope Foundation, the international charity founded by acclaimed Hollywood actor Idris Elba and his wife, Sabrina Elba. The gesture, hailed as a historic milestone, is expected to strengthen film training and inspire the next generation of Ghanaian and African storytellers.
The equipment, which included high-end cameras, cinema lenses, tripods, lights, wireless transmitters, monitors, and post-production accessories, were formally presented at UniMAC-IFT’s Cantonments campus on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Welcoming the representatives from the Elba Hope Foundation, management, faculty and staff, the Rector of UniMAC-IFT, Prof. Samuel Manasseh Yirenkyi, expressed that, “on behalf of Management, Faculty, Staff, and Students of UniMAC, I warmly welcome this historic moment. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration for the mutual benefit of industry and academia.
Addressing the audience on behalf of the Foundation, Madam Mariam Kaleem Agyeman-Buahin, the Chief Operating Officer of Akuna Group, Ghana and the local representatives for the Elba Hope Foundation, explained that the initiative was part of a broader strategy to unlock Africa’s creative potential. “This is part of our wider commitment to education and employability across Africa,” she said.
“We see creative industries as a powerful pathway for economic development, innovation, and cultural leadership. Partnerships like this are how we translate hope into action: working alongside institutions like UniMAC, local communities, and international partners to create real, lasting impact.” She noted.
What initiated this kind gesture was that earlier this year, Idris Elba visited UniMAC-IFT, where he shared his vision for Africa’s creative future and pledged support to equip the Institute. At that meeting, a short film entitled “Ebu” by one of UniMAC-IFT’s students, was screened for him and his team, an experience that inspired his commitment. On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, that promise has been fulfilled.
Present at the event was the Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah. He described the event as a remarkable day in the history of UniMAC. In his address to the gathering, he emphasised that the donation was both timely and transformational, reinforcing UniMAC’s mission to produce world-class professionals. “This act of generosity is not only an investment in UniMAC, but an investment in the dreams, talents, and aspirations of countless young people who will go on to shape the global film and creative industry,” he said. “With these state-of-the-art equipment for our facilities, coupled with our integration of Artificial Intelligence in training, our students are being positioned to dream boldly, experiment fearlessly, and tell Africa’s stories with global resonance.”
Prof. Opoku Mensah further issued a call to action for governments, NGOs, and industry players to join forces with academia to nurture Africa’s creative economy.
Receiving the items alongside the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yirenkyi, described the donation as, “an investment in the future of creative education and professional training.” He added that, “this gesture by the Elba Hope Foundation is not just a donation, it is an act of confidence in UniMAC-IFT’s role as the cradle of film and television excellence in this country.”
Prof. Yirenkyi also called on well-meaning individuals and institutions to emulate the example set by the Elba Hope Foundation to support the development of Africa’s next generation of filmmakers.
Formerly known as the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), UniMAC-IFT has, for nearly five (5) decades, served as Ghana’s only premier training ground for film and television professionals. Alumni of the Institute have gone on to shape the creative industries locally and internationally, cementing its reputation as “the cradle of film education in Ghana.”
The arrival of new studio equipment marks another leap forward in its journey to become a world-class film training hub. Students and faculty welcomed the resources with joy, describing them as “a bridge to the future” where African creatives can master their craft with the same tools used by international creatives.
As the Elba Hope Foundation continues its mission of empowering youth through education and creative expression, its partnership with UniMAC-IFT stands as a powerful symbol of what can happen when promises are kept and when hope is translated into action.
Drafted by Makida El Husseini
Level 400 Broadcast Journalism Student, UniMAC-IFT