A coalition of arts stakeholders under the Association of Ghanaian Creatives has called on President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the recent appointments of Kafui Danku and James Gardiner as Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretary, respectively, of the National Film Authority (NFA).
In a strongly worded petition, the group urged the government to prioritize “qualified, visionary leadership” at the NFA, stressing that the institution should be led by a “technocrat with deep industry knowledge” and supported by an experienced board to drive the sector toward global competitiveness.
They argue that “neither Kafui Danku nor James Gardiner possesses the industry experience or expertise required to lead such a vital institution.
Their backgrounds, limited to low-budget productions and social media branding, fall woefully short of the strategic vision needed to navigate Ghana’s film sector toward growth.”
READ ALSO: We Will Drive Growth, Innovation, and Global Recognition – Kafui Danku Promises
The association further lamented what they see as a decline in leadership standards at the NFA, particularly in comparison to its previous head, Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante.
“The appointment of an underqualified CEO signals a departure from excellence, particularly when contrasted with the legacy of Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, a Harvard-trained industry leader who brought groundbreaking initiatives to the NFA and successfully brokered distribution deals with major players like MTN,” they stated.
As an alternative, the group has proposed a list of experienced professionals they believe are better suited for the roles. These include:
- George Bosompin (National Film Institute, GAFTA)
- Jim Awindor (Film and television strategist)
- Akofa Edjeani Asiedu (Veteran filmmaker and policy maker)
- Professor Linus Abraham (Media and communication expert)
- Akosua Abdallah (Film education and policy expert)
- Ms. Nicole Amarteifio (Pioneering filmmaker and industry advocate)
As debates over the appointments continue, it remains to be seen whether the government will heed the concerns of industry players or stand by its decision.
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