Players in the Ghanaian film industry are demanding the immediate establishment of the National Film Authority (NFA) after three years of what they say has been a promise and fail on the part of the government.
The players picketed at the premises of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on Tuesday, December 10, to express their displeasure at the delays in setting up the authority.
Dressed in red and black outfits and singing Jama songs, the practitioners including actors, actresses and film producers such as Roselyn Ngissah, Akofa Edjeani, Eddie Nartey, Oscar Provencal, James Gardiner, Ken Fiati, George Bosompim and Ola Michael assembled at the Ministry at 8 a.m. hoping to meet the sector Minister, Madam Barbara Oteng Gyasi.
A number of them carried placards which had inscriptions such as “Actors are jobless because of NFA,” “The film industry needs a father # now,” “We cannot wait any longer,” “We need structures,” “Enough of the excuses” and “3 Years to establish a board.”
After a four-hour wait, the Minister finally arrived and the group quickly went to present their petition to her.
Radio presenter, Kojo Preko Dankwa, who led the group told the minister the establishment of the NFA was long overdue.
According to him, Ghanaian actors could not die as paupers whiles telenovelas were taking over TV screens.
He explained that the establishment of NFA will do a lot of good adding that the group will hit the streets on December 20 if their demands are not met.
Addressing the group, Madam Barbara Oteng Gyasi said she would see to it the NFA was established by the end of the year.
“We have had an extensive engagement with stakeholders and we addressed every issue affecting the industry. By the end of the year, the NFA will be established to address issues affecting the movie industry,” she said.
Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Kojo Preko said it was about time the NFA was established so that movie producers can access funds and regulate content on TV stations.
“I know the benefits the establishment of the NFA will bring to the film industry. We have suffered for far too long and the time to act is now.
“This is not the first time we have been promised the establishment of the NFA but we are prepared to hit the streets this time around,” he said.