NAFTI Students to reflect on the objectives institute

By Frank Atiase

Accra, Matriculantes at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) have been advised not to forget the reasons for which the Institute was founded.

Professor. Esi Sutherland-Addy, Head of the Language, Literature and Drama Section of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, called on the students not to sink into complacency at the joy of being formally accepted into institute.

Prof Sutherland-Addy said this at the 13th matriculation ceremony, where sixty-one, level 100 students including one foreign student matriculated with one student admitted into level 200 in Accra on Wednesday.

She called on students who were talented and already experienced in the field of cinematographic arts, to be careful of things that could be a hindrance to them, if they think they know it all.

Prof. Linus Abraham, Rector of NAFTI, said the students were be admitted at a very promising time where the Institute has experienced great growth over the last couple of months with regards to its training programme.

He said “NAFTI is gradually, but systematically, realising its aspiration of becoming a centre of excellence in film and television training in Ghana and Africa, with the ultimate aim of improving the levels of professionalism in the filmmaking industry.”

The rector said the institute has revamped its undergraduate curriculum to make it more African centred.

According to Prof Abraham, the Institute has expanded and enhanced the liberal arts aspects of its curriculum for greater scholarly development in support of a more professional training.

He announced that the institute would introduce a Certificate Programme together with a Professional Masters Programme in Media Arts next year.

Mr. Kwaw Ansah, Chief Executive Officer of Television Africa urged the Matriculants to look around them for stories, saying stories that make great movies, have a impact on the African society.

He entreated the students to deal with the story they were familiar with, noting that there were stories around them but were blinded with farfetched story, which has no impact on the African continent.

Prof. Mahama Duwiejua, Executive Secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), congratulated the institute on its efforts to re-equip itself and restructure its curriculum to face the challenges of the contemporary media training environment.

He pledged support to the institute’s drive to migrate from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Education in order to have the deserved recognition and access to funding available to educational institutions.

Prof. Mahama encouraged the Matriculants to make good use of the opportunity given them, since a combination of words and pictures creates very powerful images with lasting effects on the mind.

NAFTI currently runs a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree Programme and periodically organises short courses for media practitioners.