Venerated Ghanaian actress Dr. Akosua Abdallah, has dissociated herself from a petition requesting the revocation of two recent appointments made to the National Film Authority.
In a statement, Dr. Abdallah indicated that she is not involved in the said petition.
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Association of Ghanaian Creatives, a group of arts stakeholders, sent out a change.org petition urging President John Dramani Mahama to annul the appointments of Kafui Danku and James Gardiner to the National Film Authority.
This came a few days after Kafui Danku was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the NFA, with James Gardiner as her Deputy.
While arguing that Kafui Danku and James Gardiner lack the competence to handle those positions, the petitioners suggested the following film professionals as better fits: George Bosompim (National Film Institute, GAFTA), Dr. Jim Fara Awindor (Film and television strategist), Akofa Edjeani Asiedu (veteran filmmaker and policymaker), Professor Linus Abraham (Media and communication expert), Dr. Akosua Abdallah (Film education and policy expert), and Ms. Nicole Amarteifio (Pioneering filmmaker and industry advocate).
Three of the individuals listed—Dr. Jim Fara Awindor, George Bosompim, and Professor Linus Abraham—later issued a statement distancing themselves from the petition, stating they were not privy to any discussion regarding it.
Dr. Akosua Abdallah is the fourth person to publicly dissociate herself from the petition.
ALSO READ:
- Creatives petition Mahama to revoke Kafui Danku, James Gardiner’s NFA appointments
- GAFTA responds to ‘mischievous’ petition against James Gardiner, Kafui Danku
Read her statement sighted by myjoyonline.com below:
DISCLAIMER: MY NON-INVOLVEMENT IN PETITION REGARDING NFA APPOINTMENTS
My attention has been drawn to a petition circulating in the public domain regarding the recent appointments of Kafui Danku and James Gardiner to the National Film Authority (NFA), which regrettably bears my name.
I wish to categorically state that I have no knowledge of this petition, nor was I consulted or involved in its initiation, drafting, or circulation.
As a cultural and theatre expert, and in my capacity as the Head of the Ghana Chapter of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), my focus remains on promoting collaboration, capacity-building, and artistic excellence within the creative sector. I maintain a neutral and professional stance on matters of governance and appointments within state institutions.
At this stage of my career, I am not engaged in public or civil service, making any association of my name with this petition entirely unwarranted. Any inclusion of my name is without my consent and does not reflect my views.
Signed,
Akosua Abdallah (PhD)
Head, Ghana Chapter
International Theatre Institute (ITI)