The producers association of Ghana, FIPAG and Film Crew Association of Ghana, (FICAG) have all spoken strongly against a new name proposed for the Ghanaian film industry called, Gollywood.
The two groups in a press statement forwarded to Zionfelix.net said they are not in support of the new name Richard Boateng of the Film Directors Guild of Ghana (FDGG) put out during the second edition of Ghana 60 Years on Film Summit which was held on July 12, 2018 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Below is FIPAG’s press statement :
PRESS RELEASE
17/07/2018
FIPAG DISSOCIATES FROM MR. RICHARD BOATENG AS WELL AS HIS FDGG, GOLLYWOOD, M.O.U. WITH INDIANS AND HIS CLAIM AS A LEADER OF AN APEX BODY IN THE FILM INDUSTRY.
The FILM PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA (FIPAG) has decided to withdraw its support for activities undertaken by Richard Boateng of the Film Directors Guild of Ghana (FDGG). It is for that reason that FIPAG boycotted the recent Film Summit he organized.
This decision is based on a number of reasons that have come to light following initial discussions between the FIPAG executive members on the summit and related matters.
Before Richard Boateng and a few FDGG members traveled to lndia, we (the executive members of FIPAG) realized that Mr. Richard Boateng had failed to reveal a lot of crucial information to us with regards to the trip and the summit. He does otherwise when advised and it was clear that he was NOT thinking of a collaboration at all. It was realized that Mr. Richard Boateng was staging a one-man show. This is also evident on the awards presented. He is the only signatory. Even though, he was funded by our sector ministry, he insisted that FIPAG should fund its participation in the trip. He did not disclose the fact that the trip had been prefinanced. In view of his attitude, FIPAG broke away from the trip and stopped attending the pre-summit meetings. It is strange that he went ahead and unveiled the name “Gollywood” without recourse to FIPAG. This is a name which had been discussed on the FIPAG MEMBERS PLATFORM and it is yet to be endorsed by other industry players. Mr. Richard Boateng, we can all see as someone fighting for attention instead of thinking of the development and the well-being of our industry through effective and efficient collective consultation.
We condemn Mr. Boateng’s announcement of “Gollywood” as the name of the Ghanaian movie industry.
FIPAG has, therefore, stated categorically that we are NOT a party to any of the schemes of Mr. Boateng and his FDGG.
Finally, we would like to sound a word of caution to him to avoid holding himself as a sole representative of the Ghanaian movie industry.
Signed on behalf of the Executive Members and the General Members of FIPAG.
Augustine Abbey
( President )
Rosaline Osei
(Public Relations Officer)
Zakaria Abdulai
(General Secretary)
Below is Film Crew Association of Ghana’s press statement:
The National Executives and the entire membership of the Film Crew Association of Ghana, (FICAG) wish to DISASSOCIATE itself from the supposed new name for the Ghana film Industry.
We as an association had nothing to do with the planning, discussions or whatsoever that led to the conclusion on that name. We are very surprised, however, to hear our good name being associated with the events that led to the launch of the new supposed name of the film industry.
We wish to vehemently espouse our disdain for this new name and DISASSOCIATE ourselves accordingly from it.
We would like to reiterate that none of our members or executives have ever being part of any meetings or discussions that led to the realisation of this supposed new name.
Please disregard any information that metions FICAG as supporting this name.
Thank you.
Signed
Lious Saa Acquahman
Communication Dir.
0557725579
Cc
All media houses
All film stakeholders and associations
Ministry of tourism, arts and culture