Information Minister Cites Influx of Bad Foreign Movies and Lack of Ideas

Last Thursday, 20th May, Ghana’s Minister For Information, Mr. John Tia Akologu, issued a statement, as per the Cinematograph Act of 19(Act 76), dissolving the film Previewing Board, otherwise known as the Ghana Cinematography Board of Control (CBC).

Basis of the statement was that he wasn't satisfied with the performance of the old board hence taking over the duty of movies classification till a new board was inaugurated.

When Hi Newspaper called on the deputy Information Minister, Mr. James Agyenim Boateng to find out more on the issue and what the industry should expect from the new board, he said: “Members of the old board have done their bit. They have contributed their quota to the industry. Most of them have served on the board between 10 and 30 years. It is time we introduced new blood into the system. The film industry is growing and we need people who are conversant with the changing trends. We need dynamisms in dealing with an industry as vibrant as film (or movie).”

The statement also said it was time to ensure the protection of the Ghanaian culture and brand. What that meant, Mr Agyenim Boateng explained, “In every environment, there are professional standards one ought to aspire to attain. The ministry is aware of the industry's numerous problems, including dumping onto our market, movies with bad content, and others that have been banned in other countries. Over elaborative sex scenes, violent scenes, crime scenes, rape scenes etc are just not accepted. You can't just do anything and expect it to be accepted in Ghana. The trend our movies are taking is worrisome; and there has been a serious call for action to be taken to protect the country's image.”

The former radio broadcaster (Radio Gold Morning Show) said the ministry was not against people producing movies. “You can relocate your equipment and go anywhere and shoot, all we are saying is there are laws in this country and people cannot just come and do anything they want here.”

On the issue of concerns raised by film producers about their inability to access state properties (eg Prisons, Police Stations, Law Courts etc) for movie shooting (locations), he said, “There are limits as to how far the government can go in offering state properties for film making. Obviously, we can't give national security buildings or the castle to filmmakers. Else, I don't see any reason anyone using the right channel to access any state properties should be refused”.

Reaction from Movie Producers... Reacting to Mr. Agyenim's comments, the Public Relations Officer of the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Mr. Socrates Safo applauded the move by the government to 'check' the film industry. “We (film producers) have called for this for some time now. We've had series of meetings with the Minister; the last one was held 3 weeks ago. We actually called for the reconstitution of the film board and we are elated he finally did.”

FIPAG, according Mr. Safo, “is very convinced the decision by the minister is in the right direction”. He said, “People are looking at the whole thing from only one angle. How about the angle that addresses foreign producers shooting in Ghana? That is one of the things we are happy about. Now they have to seek and be granted permission to shoot movies in Ghana.”

The controversial producer/director who recently released “Hot Fork” doesn't think the Minister's decision to preview movies would affect them negatively because, “he is only going to classify movies not ban them. Under the 1992 Constitution, we only have a Classification and not a Censorship board. So he is just going to classify movies.”

Although most of the producers Hi Newspaper spoke to agreed with the FIPAG PRO, some expressed degree of skepticism about the whole thing.

Mr Ahmed Bandah, CEO of Bandex Productions thinks movie release process “may delay nevertheless, it may help reduce corruption in the system. Because the dissolved board has been sitting for far too long, and may have their favourite producers, which is likely to be different with the minister in charge now”, he said.

Mr. McDavies Pascal Odikah, producer of “Shakira” hinted Hi Newspaper that, his movie, “Shakira” and Venus Production's “Heart of Men” had to be re-edited and some scenes removed before he was allowed to sell them in Nigeria. In Ghana, it was only rated “X”, meaning they could only be sold to individuals above 18 but couldn’t on free-to-air TV and other public places”. He believes the move by the minister would bring some sanity into the game.