The recent appointments of actress Kafui Danku as Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA) and actor James Gardiner as her Deputy have sparked controversy within Ghana’s creative industry. A group of stakeholders, the Association of Ghanaian Creatives, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the decision, arguing that the appointees lack the necessary expertise to lead the institution.
In a petition circulated on change.org, the group insists that the NFA should be managed by individuals with deep industry knowledge and strategic vision. “We, the undersigned members of the Association of Ghanaian Creatives, urge the government to appoint qualified, visionary leadership at the NFA,” the petition reads.
According to the petitioners, neither Danku nor Gardiner has the industry experience or technical expertise required to spearhead Ghana’s film sector. They claim that the duo’s backgrounds in low-budget productions and social media branding are insufficient for leadership roles at the NFA.
The petition further contrasts the new appointments with the tenure of former NFA leader Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, a Harvard-trained industry expert who brokered major distribution deals and spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives. The group warns that appointing underqualified individuals could derail the progress made under previous leadership.
As an alternative, the Association of Ghanaian Creatives has proposed several names they believe are better suited for the roles, including veteran filmmakers, policy experts, and media strategists such as George Bosompin, Jim Awindor, Akofa Edjeani Asiedu, Professor Linus Abraham, Akosua Abdallah, and Nicole Amarteifio.
The petition has reignited discussions on merit-based appointments in Ghana’s creative sector, with some industry players supporting the call for change while others defend the new leadership. Whether President Mahama will heed the demands remains to be seen, but the debate highlights ongoing concerns about governance and professionalism in the film industry.
