Juliet Asante, the immediate past Chief Executive of the National Film Authority (NFA), has opened up about her struggles while leading the agency.

From financial constraints to personal attacks, her journey was fraught with challenges. Here are the biggest revelations from her statement:

1. She Started with No Resources

Asante revealed that when she took on the role in 2020, she had no office, no funds, and only a piece of paper outlining her responsibilities. “With just two staff members, we started working from my home,” she shared.

2. The NFA Had Almost No Funding

The agency was allocated just GHC1,000 ($100) in its first year and GHC10,000 ($1,000) in the second year. “Neither my staff nor I received salaries for two years,” she disclosed, adding that they had to fund operations from their own pockets.

3. She Faced an Antagonistic Board

From the onset, Asante said she encountered opposition from the NFA board. “They told me upfront that I wasn’t who they wanted,” she recalled, noting that many of her initiatives, including efforts to gather industry data, were blocked.

4. She Endured Verbal Attacks and Harassment

Asante described being subjected to a five-hour verbal assault by the board. “I was screamed at to keep quiet and insulted for two weeks straight on three WhatsApp platforms,” she recounted.

5. She Struggled with Workplace Misconduct

One of the most disturbing revelations was an incident with two senior male officials. “One lifted me up and shoved me into the arms of another, insisting I give him a hug. The other hugged me and said, ‘Maybe I’m the one who will marry you,’” she revealed, adding that the experience left her feeling “dirty.”

6. She Received Her First Salary in 2022

After two years of unpaid work, Asante and her team finally started receiving salaries in 2022. However, the challenges continued, as they still lacked a proper office, work vehicle, and essential equipment. “Everything you’ve seen online was edited on my personal machine,” she noted.

7. She Faced Attacks from Other Women

Asante recounted an incident where a female industry figure verbally abused her over an event. “She called me stupid, insulted me in ways I can’t even repeat, and banged the phone on me,” she said. “May a woman never do this to another woman.”

8. She Funded Government Work with Personal Money

With no government support, Asante relied on personal funds and external help to keep the NFA running. “Some people even bought me flight tickets to conduct government work,” she shared.

9. She Questions Her Sudden Dismissal

Following the appointment of Kafui Danku as the new NFA Executive Secretary, Asante expressed her disappointment in how her exit was handled. “Please send me my layoff letter. It’s only respectful to notify a sitting CEO in writing before appointing another,” she stated.

10. She Has No Regrets, but Wishes She Could Finish the Work

Despite everything, Asante remains optimistic. “If there’s any regret, it’s that I couldn’t finish the work,” she admitted, but added, “Freedom has come!”

Her statement highlights the systemic challenges within Ghana’s film industry and raises questions about support for leadership in the creative sector.

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