Nana Addo Swears In National Film Authority Board

The incessant calls from stakeholders in the film industry and a section of the media for the creation of the National Film Authority has been heard and answered.

The president over the weekend inaugurated the Board with a charge on members to develop the industry into a profitable venture. He said such a goal could be achieved if members adopted the right strategies by putting their expertise to play.

The board, which is chaired by ace Ghanaian actor, David Dontoh, is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring an economically self-sustaining and culturally conscious film industry.

Other team members includes Juliet Asante, Madam Yaa Attafua, Mrs. Dora Darkwa- Mebsah, Dr. Samuel Anyetei Nai and Mr. Samuel Fiscian. The rest are Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, Mr. Koffi Nartey, Madam Akorfa Ejeani, Mr. Kofi Ohemeng Owusu, Mrs. Rukiyaty Ankrah, Mr. Samuel Gyandoh and Mr. Ernest Boateng.

President Akufo-Addo administered the official oath and the oath of secrecy to the 14-member board and said: “In Mr David Dontoh, one of the leading actors of this generation, I believe we have a person who fully satisfies the requirements of the stature and who can be trusted to see to the implementation of the functions of the authority.

“We have a lot of talented people across all the spectrums of the industry — actors, actresses, promoters, producers, directors, technicians — and with the requisite support from the government, the banks, and the private sector, the authority should be able to put our industry on the continental and global maps.”

The President said the Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, earned over $1 billion dollars annually, saying Ghallywood, the Ghanaian industry should be able to do likewise.

The formation of the National Film Authority is in accordance with Section 4 (1), (2) of the Development and Classification of Film, 2016 (Act 935).

This National Film Authority, with the aid of the film act, will serve as a regulatory body as far as Film making is concerned and provide the legal framework for the production, regulation, nurturing and development of the Ghanaian film industry, and for the distribution, exhibition and marketing of films and related matters.