Filmmakers in Ghana are demanding that government institutes the board of the National Film Authority.
They also want President Akufo-Addo to appoint an executive secretary for the National Film Authority as soon as possible.
The practitioners on Tuesday picketed at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to make these demands.
James Gardener, Oscar Provencal, Akofa Edjeani Asiedu, Ama K. Abebrese and others picketed.
These actors and producers said the film bill which was passed into law in 2016 created new structures such as the National Film Authority and its governing board, the Film Development Fund as well as the Film Classification Committee.
According to the filmmakers, government has failed to make appointments since 2016 and this has made it difficult for the activities of the sector to be streamlined.
“For me as somebody in film making, it’s important that when the outside world even comes in to collaborate that we have our Act in place functioning so that we can also be key industry players,” Ama K. Abebrese said.
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, who received the practitioners, pleaded to be given up to the end of December to deal with the issue.
Barbara Oteng Gyasi assured them the president has minuted on a document on the matter and forwarded it to the Council of State for advice.
“The president has played his part, he has nominated the executive secretary as well as the board chairperson. The entire constitution of the board has now been submitted to the Council of State for approval…once that is done, the board will be inaugurated and they will be ceased with addressing all the issues affecting the industry,” she revealed.
Ghana’s film bill was passed into law in 2016 during former President Mahama’s administration.
