FIPAG to ban ‘Tonga’ movie?

Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) has hinted that its outfit is yet to find out a movie with the title ‘’Tonga’’ which is a profane word in the country.

‘Tonga’ has become a debatable word in the country after Ghanaian musician Joey B released his song ‘Tonga’ which featured BET award-winner Sakodie. After the release of this song, most entertainment critics across the country criticized and called for the ban of the song on radio and other public platforms but nothing has prevailed. According to these critics, the song was composed with profane words which make it a non-commercial music.

However, Ghanaian actor cum director, Samuel Ofori and his production crew has capitalize on the word ‘Tonga’ to produce a movie which according to sources will be released soon.

The Best Actor Twi/English at the 2013 Kumawood and Akoben Movie Awards, Samuel Ofori has been accused of promoting nudity in majority of his movies like ‘Fake London Boy’ and others.

The cover of the yet-to-be-released movie clearly shows that the movie might have some explicit scenes. The assistant National Secretary of the Film Producers Association of Ghana, Mr. Eugene Murat has stated that the association will collaborate with the Classification Board and scrutinize the movie to see whether it has any dishabille scenes.

Mr. Eugene Murat who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of E&E Production told E-Zone on Ashh Fm that the board which comprises of the information minister, representative of Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, the Film’s Producers and Distributors Association will not hesitate to hold the movie from public use if they find any adult content in it.

According to him ‘’there are classifications of movies that come out: one, there are movies that both kids and the adults can watch together. Two, there are movies for only adults, like persons who are 18years and above. Aside that, there are movies that are meant for private consumption, like those with vulgar words and explicit scenes.”

“In the case of this movie, we will check and see whether it has the above qualities so that we will see what we can do. The board will hold an emergency meeting about this movie and call on the producers to question them”, he noted

Meanwhile, on the issue of imposing ban on the showing of local movies in long distance buses across the country, Mr. Murat said plans have been made but it Ha not been implemented.

Few weeks after publications went viral that effective 1st February 2014, long distance bus operators would be banned from showing movies in their buses as a result of the Film Producers as well as the Film Distributors Association of Ghana and the leaders of the various transport unions’ ineffective attempts to reach an agreement, VIP bus drivers in the Ashanti Region asked FIPAG to reconsider its decision.

In an interview with Nana Amoako on E-Zone Show in Kumasi on Ashh FM, the Assistant Secretary of FIPAG explained that, it has always been illegal for their movies to be shown for commercial purposes but leaders of the association thought it is time the interest of its members are fought for.

He said they are looking forward to meet the leaders of the various transport unions across the country before they enforce the law.

“We are still waiting for them to meet us; I think we have few weeks to go, so if they fail to show up then we will not falter to implement the ban.” He added