GFI (GhanaFilmIndustry.com) paid
a working visit on the President of Film Producers Association of Ghana-FIPAG
Mr. Asare Hackman to find out on few matters on the Ghana film industry since
he had been in office and the year is gradually coming to a close.
In
the early part of this year there was a warning with a deadline to pay royalties
or ban the showing of Ghana films on buses, how effective has the ban been?
ANS: There has been a problem of
enforcement but 25 arrests were made in Kumasi. The body mandated to do that
was Audiovisual Rights Owners Society
of Ghana (ARSOG) which currently is facing administrative challenges.
Why
did you ban Big Akwes despite his apology and acceptance from Ghana Actors Guild?
ANS: Ban is a harsh word, Big
Akwes said ALL PRODUCERS, and he didn’t make any exception, so we advice our
members to halt working with him for two years. FIPAG can’t ban him. If anyone
who isn’t our member wants to work with him that’s fine.
He
has some films yet to be release before this FIPAG embargo, how do you intend
to handle that?
ANS: We have instructed for list
of these films to be made available so as to exempt them.
How
has been your relationship with the immediate past president of FIPAG, Aidikoko?
ANS: We are on very good terms. Currently,
in this administration he is playing a key role on the censorship board.
So
far how effective have you been in implementing your manifesto promises?
ANS: So far so good, from where I
pick up, just like a farmer you clear the land, plough the land and plant. We’ve
done all that, it now germinating. We now have a befitting office in Accra and
Kumasi. We have been to Tamale and soon we will have an ultra modern office
there as well with a secretary always at post.
There has been capacity building
workshop for members. We have another one coming slated for November 12, with
three lectures from Canada. Also we have
entered into an agreement with Donewell Insurance to cover all our members. The
slow movement of lion is not a mistake but calculated steps for accuracy.
Kumawood
films are rejected when submitted for international awards?
ANS: The problem has to do with
subtitle. I prefer you say Akan films than Kumawood. For me I see Ghana films
not glamour and Kumawood.
How
supportive has the current deputy minister for the Art and Entertainment been
to your administration Dzifa Gomashie?
We call on her office when the
need arise. We also receive invite from the office. It is a political office;
such issues are handled with much caution.
[Present at the time of our
discourse was the President of the Film Directors Association of Ghana- Mr.
Michael?- who interrupted- But Chairman why are you not adding that she was
your daughter, you brought her from Art center to the screen. Other names that popped
up who shared screen interest and later climbed the political ladder- Mike
Gizo, Nii Lamptey Vanderpuye, Fritz Bafour.]
How
far on your issues with Ghollywood (organizers of the Ghana movie awards)
ANS: Fred Nuamah is my friend,
when I first came to office he was the first person I called to discuss the way
forward for the awards because my members complained to me that they have receive
nothing since the inception of the awards. We met at Kumasi and he explained
his side of the issue concerning logistical constrains. We didn’t make any
significant progress after that. Finally we have to advice ourselves.
The
current impasse, how do you think it can be resolved?
Our doors are always open, when
the issue first came up I was expecting Fred to call me for a dialogue, but he
chose to do otherwise. However, there is nothing wrong with having multiple
awards. It brings about competition in the system and this brings about quality
in our works. We have the Kumawood award which is now Atenteben Awards to make
it more inclusive. There is nothing wrong with having more awards in the
system.
At this junction the time kicked
in for Mr. Asare to attend to next meeting, our chit-chat ended on that
note. Bye for now.
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