Development of film industry dear to Govt.

Development of film industry dear to the hearts of the NPP government-says Ghana's envoy in the UK

HE Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK has said in London that the development of the local film industry was very dear to the heart of the NPP Government. He therefore called on filmmakers to make their views known on how to regenerate the hitherto vibrant sector.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by Mr Kwaw Ansah, Executive Producer of Film Africa Limited, Mr Osei praised Ghanaian pace-setters of the industry and appealed to him to continue to lead the crusade for the production of quality films which had enabled him win international film awards and the hearts of audiences throughout Africa.

He stated that there was the need to protect the local film industry from the influx of cheap films, which continued to be dumped on the Ghanaian market.

The High Commissioner appealed to financial institutions and friends of the industry to support the good work being done by film-makers in order to help rebuild a buoyant film industry for the country.

Mr Ansah, who is also a member of the National Media Commission, told the High Commissioner that Film Africa Limited would continue to intensify its efforts to produce home-grown videos and films in line with the cultural and social background and the aspirations of the people.

Mr Ansah, recently decorated at home and abroad with the “Flag star, National Order of Burkina Faso” and the Living Legend”, said the focus of his television channel, TV Africa, would be on the production of dramas, reviews, insight, news magazines and other programmes that would uplift and enhance the image of the African on the continent and in the Diaspora.

He expressed regret about the demise of the Ghana Film Industry Corporation which had hitherto produced a variety of inspirational films on national issues and hoped that every effort would be made by Government to salvage master copies of films produced by the Corporation since 1948, some of which were kept in various places in conditions which were not ideal.