As the president of the Film Crew Association of Ghana and a former board member of the National Film Authority (NFA), Samuel Gyandoh has broken his silence to address the challenges and controversies surrounding the NFA and Juliet Asante’s Allegations. In a bid to promote progress and positivity, Gyandoh sheds light on the establishment, achievements, and challenges faced by the NFA, as well as his recommendations for the way forward.

*Establishment and Achievements*

The NFA was established on December 19, 2019, after years of advocacy by film guilds and associations. Despite facing significant challenges, including a lack of startup funding, the board achieved several milestones, such as:

– *Film Classification Guidelines & Committee*: Establishing a committee to draft classification guidelines, leading to the formation of the Classification Committee.
– *Licensing Committee & Guidelines*: Forming a Licensing Committee to draft guidelines for permits and licenses for film practitioners.
– *Legislative Instrument (L.I.) Finalization*: Successfully pushing the L.I. towards completion, crucial for proper governance and enforcement of Act 935.

*Challenges and Controversies*

Gyandoh highlights several challenges and controversies that plagued the NFA, including:

– *Lack of a Board Secretary*: The absence of a dedicated secretary hindered operations.
– *Unauthorized Committees*: The formation of a Local Content Committee without board approval.
– *Unnecessary Industry Rebranding*: An effort to rename the industry without proper stakeholder consultation.
– *Governance Issues & Petitions*: Board members petitioned the Minister regarding governance challenges with the Executive Secretary.
– *Financial Transparency Issues*: The board was left uninformed about funds received by the Executive Secretary.
– *Unauthorized Appointments*: The appointment of a Director of Classification without board approval.
– *Poor Communication & Disregard for Protocol*: The Executive Secretary frequently bypassed the board and Ministry.

*The Way Forward*

Gyandoh welcomes the appointment of Madam Kafui Danku as the new Executive Secretary and Mr. James Gardner as her Deputy. He recommends the following to build a thriving film industry:

– *Foster Board Collaboration*: The new ES and Deputy must work closely with the Governing Board.
– *Strengthen Distribution & Marketing Channels*: Focus on local and international distribution to ensure the sustainability of Ghanaian films.
– *Invest in Capacity Building*: Continuous training and development for film practitioners.
– *Establish a Film Development Fund*: Implement the fund to support film production financially.
– *Pass the Legislative Instrument (L.I.)*: Ensure the passage of the L.I. for proper governance and enforcement of Act 935.
– *Appoint an Experienced Board Chairman*: The President must appoint a respected and knowledgeable filmmaker to lead the board effectively.

By addressing these challenges and working together, Gyandoh believes that Ghana’s film industry can thrive and become a vibrant and sustainable sector.