The National President of Film Directors Guild of Ghana (FDGG), Mr. Richard Yaw Boateng, who is also the Chairman of the National Planning Committee of the Ghana 60 Years-On Film Summit 2018, has on Friday, July 20, 2018 paid a courtesy call on the Rector of National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI).
The visit was to render FDGG’s sincere apology to the NAFTI Rector, faculty and management for not consulting them on the decision to choose the name GOLLYWOOD for the Ghana Film Industry.
The name GOLLYWOOD was unveiled at the Accra International Conference Centre during the Ghana 60 Years-On Film Summit 2018.
Mr. Boateng, together with the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of FDGG, Mr. Haruna Seidu Soale, popularly called Zoree expressed their apologies for that error and said it was not intentional.
“It was not intentional. I wouldn’t want to explain further, which may look like I’m defending or justifying what has happened. On behalf of the National Planning Committee of the Summit, I apologize to all of you. It won’t happen again,” Mr. Boateng said.
The Rector of NAFTI, Dr. Samuel Nai however commended Mr. Boateng for the humility, maturity and boldness with which he pursued to make things right.
He said: “I thought I will never see you again because of all the voices that rose against you, but here you are in front of me to apologize. I have been monitoring you and following the development of the issue. I watched you on Gh-One TV and also the repeated telecast of you and Ken Fiati on Zylofon TV, and I think you made a much matured move to apologize to all the stakeholders.”
Dr. Samuel Nai admitted that he was impressed about Mr. Boateng’s conduct and called on them to bury the hatchet and move on in unity.
“Let’s move on from here. I know there are so much fragmentations in the film industry in this country but one thing I have realized is that this incident has awaken the film industry and above all, it has brought a call for unity in the Ghana Film Industry. Let’s look at the positive side of the whole issue,” he said.
He also averred that everyone is calling for unity and that is the positive side of what the FDGG President and his team have done.
“Please let’s look at it from the positive side, let’s unite the industry and move forward,” Said Dr. Samuel Nai, the Rector of NAFTI.
On her part, Madam Ramatu Dadzie, the Dean of Academc Studies of NAFTI also commended Mr. Boateng for his courage saying, “You have done well for coming here. Learn to work together with the other stakeholders to move the film industry of this country forward. I’m looking forward to see you coming to further your education, here in NAFTI, to better yourself and your work. Richard, you are from here, so come back and let’s prepare you for the future of the industry.”
Also commended Mr. Boateng for his courage saying, “You have done well for coming here. Learn to work together with the other stakeholders to move the film industry of this country forward. I’m looking forward to see you coming to further your education, here in NAFTI, to better yourself and your work. Richard, you are from here, so come back and let’s prepare you for the future of the industry.”
Also, Haruna Seidu Soale, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of FDGG, took the opportunity to present Letter of Apology to the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), Mr. George Bosompim, who was the facilitator of the meeting and a lecturer at NAFTI.
Mr. Bosompim accepted the letter of apology on behalf of GAFTA and the Task Force Team, which consists of about 13 domain associations and guilds in the film industry in Ghana.
Task Force Team was formed by the Hon. Catherine Afeku, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, for them to work on the drafting of the L.I. for the full operation of the Film Act 2016 (Act 935).
By: PROSPER AGBENYEGA