According to him, it was because the process was broadened to cover every stakeholder including children.

The National Film Authority (NFA) on Wednesday, December 8 announced ‘Black Star Films’ as the new name of the film industry, following a year-long process.

The change of name for the film industry, according to the Authority, is premised on the fact that having an identity as an industry is very important.

However, the new name has been greeted with several disapprovals from many stakeholders who didn’t take part in the voting process.

According to them, the name ‘Black Star Films’ bears a striking similarity to an award and film festival, ‘Black Star International Film Festival’ (BSIFF) founded by the National Film Authority’s Executive Secretary, Juliet Asante citing “conflict of interest.”

A group of stakeholders led by showbiz personality, George Quaye petitioned the Ministry of Tourism, Art & Culture over the new name.

It turned out that a 12-year-old poet, Nakeeyat Dramani, was one of the committee members who voted in the naming process.

Some persons have raised concerns about the decision to add a minor to the process.
But reacting on Hitz FM on Monday, Mr Sagoe, who is himself a committee member for the voting process, said he finds nothing wrong with the youngster taking part.

“We wanted ideas from all over, children, young people,” he noted.

When he was asked why young actors like Rahim Banda, Yaa Jackson etc were rather not part of the process, he said “Rahim is in the university, he is not a child.”

“Your problem is with the fact that a child is part of the process and I am saying that…your argument that it was wrong to have included a 12-year-old, that is what I am talking about,” he said.

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Addressing the newly inducted Governing Board of NFA at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo noted that with the abundance of talented and skilled personnel in Ghana’s film industry coupled with the requisite support from government and the private sector, the Authority should be able to make the film industry globally competitive.

Reiterating government’s commitment to the creative arts industry, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the Creative Arts Bill once passed by Parliament, will establish the Creative Arts Fund to help promote the film industry.

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The Fund, according to the president, will also enable government provide direct and indirect support for industry practitioners.

Responding to the charge, Chairman of the NFA Governing Board, David Dontoh, said the inauguration of the Governing Board is a strong indication that government wants to indeed develop Ghana’s film industry.

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He proposed that some avenues of financial assistance be established to assist industry players since film making is capital intensive.

He further suggested that, government considers the establishment of one Multipurpose Theatre in each district across Ghana to aid the industry screen films so as to be able to reach all communities in the country.  

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The aggrieved protesters on Tuesday stormed the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to express their displeasure with the government for the delay three years after the passage of the film bill into law.

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The industry players, who picketed the Ministry, demanded the president acts swiftly, adding that the constitution allows the new structures they are requesting for to be created.

Unhappy about the delays, actress Ama K. Abebrese urged the government to act accordingly to enable them become key players to help the industry move in the right direction.

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Reacting to the demonstration, sector Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi assured the group their needs would be met by close of December 2019.

According to her, President Nana Akufo-Addo has nominated the executive directors and board chairpersons and that the entire constitution has been submitted to the Council of State but is yet to be approved.