Accra (Greater Accra)
19 November 2002- Mr. Kofi Sakyiama, Director of the Ministry of Information,
on Monday called on the film industry not only to produce films to entertain, but
also to focus attention on promoting government policies and programmes through
imagery for national development.
He said the industry
wielded enough power to effectively communicate government policies and
programmes as well as educate the public on pressing development issues through
its productions.
Mr Sakyiama was
speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Television and Film
Institute's (NAFTI) 13th Film and Television Festival.
The four-day
celebrations would be showcasing different film productions by NAFTI and
educate students on pressing national issues like the HIV/AIDS pandemic, breast
cancer and politics.
Mr Sakyiama said
African movies of late, were too much centred on witchcraft, wizardry,
imaginations and fiction, leaving the other side of communication that would
help develop the minds of audience and challenged them to aim at development.
He stated that the
Cinematography Bill that was before Parliament intends to address the loopholes
that currently exist in the old law to control and check the production and
showing of films in Ghana.
Mr. Sakyiama further
explained that the Bill seeks to check the production of hasty and cheap films
and ensure that every film producer had a certificate from a recognised film
institute. "It will specifically check the showing of films by television
stations as well," he added.
He assured NAFTI of
the ministry's support in all its programmes and said the ministry has included
NAFTI in its communication and development programme to help preserve and
restore films.
Mr Martin Loh,
Director of NAFTI, said the institute was faced with a number of challenges
that included financial constraints and breakdown of its equipment.
He said NAFTI was
therefore, compelled to hire equipment for its productions. He said the
institute has been able to secure funding from some organisations to purchase
new cameras and other equipment for its productions.
Mr Loh advised
companies and individuals who sponsor the production of certain films to ensure
that they do not sponsor cheap films.
He called on the
public, especially those who are into film production, photography and actors
to take advantage of NAFTI's training facilities to polish up their knowledge
and skills in filmmaking.
Mr Alpha Suberu,
President of the Students Representative Council, called for sponsorship from
companies, organisations and individuals to honour those who excel in the
production of films.
GRi…/
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