Dzifa Gomashie celebrates three Ghanaian films
Former actress and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Art, Dzifa Gomashie has celebrated three Ghanaian films that have made strides on the global scene.These are Children of the Mountain by Priscilla Anane, Silver Rain by Juliet Asante and Nakom by Isaac Adakudugu.
Ms Gomashie was speaking at the Creative Arts Player’s dinner and awards night organised by Values For Life (VFL), an NGO in Accra.The event was to recognise and celebrate films and film makers, who are promoting the image of the country on the international stage.
The citation for the films read:” Values For Life Appreciates your impressive strives to put Ghana’s Creative Arts on the global market. You have walked beyond a mile stone and raised a hill from a valley, At last, your Praise song we shall keep, forever, on our Praise tongue.”
The deputy minister said the country needs to celebrate and support the young film makers, who are receiving recognition on the continent and around the world.
“It is only in celebrating those who dare to project our sector in such positive lights that the world will remember us for our role in shaping the story of African Film,” she added.
According to her, the organisation is dedicated to promoting the creative arts, performing arts and culture among the youth. She said the organisation would continue the tradition of celebrating industry players, who have done well, are doing well, and hopefully inspire others to do well in the sector.
She said according to the AU and informed by evidence on the continent, the African continent is positioning itself to grow the Film Industry from $5 billion to $20 billion industry that employs over 20 million people.
She said FEPACI, a Pan African Federation of Filmmakers is leading the crusade to have the AU set up studios and schools and funding for the development sector.
The Deputy Minister said Government has ratified seven UNESCO Conventions including Diversity of Cultural Expressions, safeguarding of intangible heritage and Protection of underwater cultural heritage, Prohibition and preventing the illicit import.
The rest are stolen or illegally exported cultural objects, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property, protection of cultural property in event of armed conflict with regulations for the execution of the convention protection of producers and photographs against unauthorised duplication of their phonograms.
She said the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Communications are poised to support the initiatives of the industry players.
“We are very happy to be supporting the Black Star International Film Festival with plans for this celebration are far advanced towards a historic film festival,” she added.
The Deputy Minister appealed to Corporate Ghana to come on board and support the laudable initiative, which by all standards is going to put the country on the world stage.
She said the Ministry and its stakeholders are anxiously waiting for Parliament to pass the Film Bill into an act for the expected growth in the Industry to be realised and harnessed for the benefit of Ghana as a whole.
She, therefore, called on Ghanaians to appreciate and patronise films produced in the country, saying: “We cannot continue his way, when we want the country to develop.”
She advised film makers to continue to produce films with high standard and professionalism to march the international market.
Ms Juliet Asante, a film Maker told the Ghana News Agency that the industry is an amazing one and needed to be supported to grow and develop.
Mr Isaac Adakudugu, a Producer and Co-writer of Nakom said the event was an opportunity to showcase the cast and the film to Ghanaians.
He expressed gratitude to the Deputy Minister of organising the event to recognise film makers.
The event was used to recognise film makers like Akofa Edjeani-Aseidu, Juliet Asante, Dzifa Glikpoe, Adjetey Anang, Elikem Kumordze, Grace Omaboe and Kwaw Ansah among others.
