Of what could best be described as a show of solidarity, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of National Film Authority (NFA), Kafui Danku has graciously responded to her predecessor, Juliet Asante’s post on Facebook.
Earlier today, Juliet Asante lamented about the challenges she faced in her role including using her home to operate as an office.
In the long post, Juliet shared personal struggles, including being attacked and insulted online and offline, while dealing with her mother’s illness and hospital bills.
She expressed her gratitude to those who supported her during her tenure, including staff volunteers who worked without pay. She also congratulated her successor, Kafui Danku, and offered words of advice.
She, however, noted that her only regret was that she couldn’t finish her work.
Kafui Danku wrote under the post. “Sis… It’s rather unfortunate, we’ll definitely reach out. Our industry will thrive again”.
Right after Juliet’s post, Association of Ghanaian Creatives, a group of arts stakeholders, is petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the appointments of Kafui Danku and James Gardiner to the National Film Authority.
However, in a change.org petition, Association of Ghana Creatives is requesting that the President rather considers other options.
According to them, Kafui and James don’t have the competent skills to handle the position.
“We, the undersigned members of the Association of Ghanaian Creatives, urge the government to appoint qualified, visionary leadership at the NFA. The institution must be helmed by a technocrat with deep industry knowledge, supported by a board of experienced creative professionals who can steer the sector toward revitalization and global competitiveness,” the petition states.
The petition also expressed that, “neither Kafui Danku nor James Gardiner possesses the industry experience or expertise required to lead such a vital institution. Their backgrounds, limited to low-budget productions and social media branding, fall woefully short of the strategic vision needed to navigate Ghana’s film sector toward growth.”
The group intimates that “the appointment of an underqualified CEO signals a departure from excellence, particularly when contrasted with the legacy of Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, a Harvard-trained industry leader who brought groundbreaking initiatives to the NFA and successfully brokered distribution deals with major players like MTN.”
They suggested the following film professionals to be given the positions:
1. George Bosompin (National Film Institute, GAFTA)
2. Jim Awindor (Film and television strategist)
3. Akofa Edjeani Asiedu (veteran filmmaker and policy maker)
4. Professor Linus Abraham (Media and communication expert)
5. Akosua Abdallah (Film education and policy expert)
6. Ms. Nicole Amarteifio (Pioneering filmmaker and industry advocate)
However, three members of the Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), Dr. Jim Fara Awindor, George Bosompim, and Professor Linus Abraham, have distanced themselves from a petition calling for the cancellation of two recent appointments to the National Film Authority, despite being listed as potential candidates for the positions.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the above mentioned names have disclosed that they were not privy to any discussion regarding the petition.
They describe the said petition being signed by some industry people as “mischievous” and “scandalous”.