Filmmakers cry foul

... call for restriction of Nigerian films
The Video Producers? Association has appealed to the Government to consider restricting the importation of films, particularly Nigerian films.

Participants at a forum organized by the Association in Kumasi recently to discuss the copyright bill, called on the government to put a check on such films because they adulterate the Ghanaian culture and norms.

According to them, most of these foreign movies currently floating in the nation?s film market are tax free.

Apart from the tax exemption, these video cassettes and DVDs are smuggled in, in singles only to be duplicated in several copies for sale, thereby outwitting personnel of CEPS.

The president of the Association, Alhaji M.G. Mohammed said since members were operating in the same market at the same fixed price with these tax/duty evaders (Nigerian film makers/producers), local investors in the film industry had been put on competitive disadvantage, resulting in the collapse of most film productions.

Backing his claims, he stated that between 1992 and 1996, about 30 local producers were in the film business in Ghana, but which has reduced to seven because of high capita intensity in producing quality film compared to their Nigerian counterparts who produce at low cost.

According to him, it takes ?9 million for an importer of video to make 70 copies while same copies would cost a local producer, ?40 million. This great disparity enabled the importer of the foreign films to recoup his investment with a few copies sold.

The Executive Director of Timatape Production limited, Mr. Kwasi Badu confirmed that most of the foreign (Nigerian) films were not censored, hence the adulteration of our cultures.

He also collaborated the fact that most of these films did not attract duties on entry into the Ghanaian market and called on the government to protect and sustain the film industry.

Badu observed that it was not easy for a Ghanaian film to penetrate into the Nigerian market due to regulations and restrictions in place by their government and appealed to the Ghana government to do same for local film makers.

?We are prepared to produce quality films but we need backing from government, not just the copy right bill? he stressed.

He also suggested that film and music be placed under the Ministry of Trade and Industry for its sustenance.