Filmmakers set to revive industry

Accra, Aug. 24, GNA - Ghanaian filmmakers and actors on Wednesday launched a programme aimed at making the film industry vibrant. The programme dubbed: "Ghallywood" is supposed to be an umbrella organization for actors, filmmakers and producers to develop strategies that would help to make the industry vibrant.

Under the programme, a place that would be named "African Village" would be built for renowned actors to aid the shooting of films. African Village would have good looking houses, hospitals, police stations, eating places and almost everything needed in a community to stop situations where film producers had to beg for beautiful houses to be able to shoot their films.

Mr William Akuffo, President of Ghallywood, said they would also institute a film festival to reward every Ghanaian actor, who had acted in a Ghanaian film from 1987.

He said such festivals would help boost the tourism industry since it would attract tourists to the country.

Mr Akuffo noted that the film industry could become a non-traditional export and earn substantial foreign exchange. He explained that the films could be sold to Ghanaians living abroad. He identified piracy as a major problem faced by the industry and called on the Government to help to halt it.

Mr Geido Mohammed, President of the Video and Film Producers Association, said video filmmaking had come of age and reiterated the need to revive the industry.

He blamed actors and producers for the loss of interest in the industry, saying: "The pioneers pursued money instead of excellence." Mr Mohammed urged players in the industry to unite to be able to move forward and said there was the need for a shared vision and mission.

He challenged academicians to come up with interesting scripts to help filmmakers compete favourably.

"Let's insist on excellence, quality and the need to cooperate," he said.

Ms Grace Omaboe, who represented actors, urged the media to highlight the problems facing the film industry and called for Government's support.

She said Ghanaian actors were discriminated against when acting with Nigerians, adding, "they are always given preferential treatment; they sleep in the best hotels and eat the best dishes". Mr Victor Anti, Chairman of GAMA Films, urged the actors to use the past to develop the future, as the revival of the film industry was possible.

"Let's make Ghallywood a success," he said.