Information Minister dissolves Film review board

Accra, May 20, GNA - The Minister of Information, John Tia Akologu, on Thursday dissolved the Cinematograph Board of Control charged with the previewing of films and approving their exhibition in the country. A statement signed by the Minster and copied to the Ghana news Agency noted that the decision was taken after a review meeting with the Board i= n Accra. It said a new Board would be formed with the mandate of ensuring th= at all the requisite laid down laws and conditions were met before a film wa= s approved for sale or exhibition in the country. "The establishment and inauguration of a new Cinematography Board of=

Control, the Minister per the powers vested in him under the Cinematograp= h Act of 1961, has taken over the role of previewing and approving for exhibition all films in Ghana," it said. The statement stressed: "I think that the time has come for us to ensure the protection of the Ghanaian culture and brand through a more effective and vigorous film classification process, and I expect the new Board when inaugurated to live up to expectation and contribute to the growth of the film industry".

It said, "The Ministry has taken note of the various concerns of the=

viewing public generally about the standards of our films and some of the=

disturbing scenes that are contained in foreign productions that find the= ir way onto our television networks and sold on the streets." The statement, however, reminded all television stations, distributo= rs of foreign films, retailers of films and film producers that any film tha= t had not been previewed and approved by the Ministry should not be shown, displayed, exported out of the Ghana or sold in the country. "The Section 281 (1a) of the Criminal Code, Act 29, makes it an offe= nce for anybody to distribute, publicly exhibit, make, produce or have in the= ir possession for the purposes of or by way of trade, any one or more obscen= e writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters,=

emblems, photographs, cinematograph films, or any other obscure objects."= , it said. The statement added that "The preview and approval process also cover= s the posters that are used to advertise a film, and it is important that a= ll take note of these provisions."

It further said foreign film producers who desired to shoot movies i= n Ghana were also required to request for accreditation from the Ministry o= f Information. The statement urged the public, media owners and film producers to appraise themselves with the provisions of Section 281 in order not to go=

contrary to the law.