Veteran Ghanaian actor, David Dontoh, believes the sale of the Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC) has become a huge disservice to the film industry.
The Best Actor ECRAG Award 1984,1989 and 1992, who appeared on SS on Thursday, July 20, in the wake of his new feature project which he calls a ‘touristic movie’ said Ghana is good for the movie business for the peace except when the government sold the Ghana Film Industry Corporation to hinder the progress of the movie industry.
He added that the GFIC had the biggest equipped studio in Africa but has been sold and now it is being used to shoot reality shows and this action has taken a lot from the industry.
The legendary actor shared a fond memory that keeps his heart in gloom anytime it comes to mind, he shared that after the Kwekrateme in Greater Accra, the Director of Photography from Germany told him if only they had such a studio in his country they would have been competing in Hollywood but now it’s gone.
The government of Ghana in 1964 established the Ghana Film Industry Corporation after it inherited the industry from the colonial masters. Among others, it trained the industry’s promising filmmakers purposely for education and socio-economic development.
In 1996, however, the Ghana government sold 70% of the equity in the GFIC to a Malaysian television production company, Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad of Kuala Lumpur.
Mr. Dontoh indicated that stakeholders, keyholders, and the industry players can be blamed for this mayhem but yet again Ghana has no proper structures in place for the film industry.
Also, he intimated that the legislative act governing the movie industry is still a work in progress.
David Dontoh further moted that the legislature will take time and urged Ghanaians and movie lovers to exercise exercise
Coming to Africa, welcome to Ghana has won the best costume design at the Black Star Festival and premises in Accra at the Silverbird Cinemas Accra Mall and the West Hills Mall Wejia on Friday, 21st July 2023, with tickets selling at 80 Cedis at 8 pm GMT prompt.
By: Edem Etsa Dorvlo | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
