The National Film Authority (NFA) has responded to the comments made by renowned American filmmaker and actor, Spike Lee, that he was not approached by anyone from Ghana’s film industry during his recent visit to the country.
Lee was part of the Creative Arts team that accompanied Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, during her three-day visit to Ghana.
During an interview on Asaase Radio, Lee expressed surprise at the existence of a thriving film industry in Ghana and stated that no one from the industry had approached him.
He added that he would love to meet people in the film industry but had not been approached.
In response to Lee’s comments, the National Film Authority released a statement saying that their efforts to meet the filmmaker during his visit were unsuccessful.
The statement read: “We have become aware of a circular on the visit of Mr. Spike Lee. As excited as we were to hear this news after he landed on air, the Authority’s CEO was on her way to meet Mr. Lee to reiterate the positioning when the Authority was informed that his schedule was busy for the evening”.
The NFA called on organizers of such trips to inform relevant agencies to ensure that Ghana maximizes all opportunities for the benefit of all.
Read the entire statement below;
The National film authority has for the past 3 years worked assiduously to position Ghana as a film and content destination and called on the world to shoot in Ghana.
The CEO of the Authority recently returned from a round table during the recent Oscar week to meet Industry to explore this very positioning…
We have become aware of a circular on the visit of Mr. Spike Lee. As excited as we were to hear this news after he landed on air, the Authority’s CEO was on her way to meet Mr. Lee to reiterate the positioning when the Authority was informed that his schedule was busy for the evening…
Given the circumstances, the Authority relayed a good will message from the CEO reiterating Ghana’s welcome and particularly the film industry and expressed our desire to commence a conversation.
We use the opportunity to call on all organizers of such trips to inform the necessary agencies to ensure that Ghana takes full advantage of all opportunities for the benefit of all.
