Make Ghana’s Film Industry globally competitive – President Akufo-Addo to NFA Governing Board

President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the Governing Board of the National Film Authority (NFA) to work hard to make Ghana’s Film Industry globally attractive.

Addressing the Board of the National Film Authority (NFA) at the Jubilee House after administering the Oaths of Office and Secrecy to swear them into office, President Akufo-Addo said with the talented and skilled personnel the industry in Ghana is gifted with, such as producers, promoters, directors, technicians, and with the requisite support of government and the private sector, the Authority should be able to put the Industry on the Continental and Global maps.

“We are told that the Nigerian industry, Nollywood, earns annually, one billion United States dollars ($1,000,000,000.00) for Nigeria. Ghallywood, the Ghanaian industry should be able to do likewise for Ghana” President Akufo-Addo stated.

“I urge industry stakeholders and all of us to rally behind, work with and support the Governing Board of the Authority” President Akufo-Addo added.

Creative Arts Bill

President Akufo-Addo in his address indicated that the Creative Arts Bill is currently before Cabinet for consideration and once passed by Parliament, the Act will establish the Creative Arts Fund, and an agency to promote the industry in order to assist government to create an enabling environment through which direct and indirect support for industry practitioners can be channelled. He reiterated government’s commitment to the creative arts industry.

“Our commitment to the development of Ghana’s creative art industry is absolute,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Chairman of the NFA Governing Board

Chairman of the NFA Governing Board, David Dontoh, in Response to the charge of the President indicated that the inauguration of the Governing Board is a strong indication that government wants to develop the film industry in Ghana. He proposed that some avenues of financial assistance be established to assist the industry players since film making is a capital intensive venture. Furthermore, Mr. Dontoh suggested that government should consider establishing one “Multipurpose Theater” in every district in Ghana so the industry can screen their films there in order to reach all communities in Ghana.

The Board

The Board is chaired by Mr. David Dontoh, a nominee of the President. The members are Madam Julet Yaa Asantewa Asante, Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Madam Yaa Attafua, Representative of the Copyright Office nominated by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Madam Josephine Ohene-Osel of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts, Mrs. Dora Darkwa-Mensah, Ministry of Communications. Dr. Samuel Anyetel Nai of National Film and Television Institute, Mr. Samuel Fiscian, Ghana Actors’.

The rest are Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, Film Producers’ Association of Ghana, Mr. Koffi Nartey, Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts, Mad. Akofa Edjeani, Women in Film and Television, Mr. Kofi Ohemeng Owusu, Collective Management Organization of Audio Visual Rights Owners, Mrs. Ankrah Ruklyatu Naa Ayikaley, Film Distributors and Marketers, Mr. Samuel Gyandoh, Film Crew Association of Ghana and Mr. Ernest Boateng, Television Stations Nominee.

Act 935 and the Film Industry

The Development and Classification of Film Act (2016) Act 935, mandates the establishment of the National Film Authority who’s functions amongst others are to supervise an economically self-sustaining and culturally conscious film industry in Ghana, advise the Minister on matters affecting the film industry, facilitate the establishment of circuit for the distribution and marketing of Ghanaian films throughout the country and internationally, ensure the development and administration of a code of ethics for the film industry, oversee the film development fund, and set standards for training and accreditation of practitioners in the film industry.