The Film Directors Guild of Ghana (FDGG), is seeking to establish a bilateral relations with the South African film industry as a way of strengthening the industry in both countries.
The National President of FDGG, Mr. Richard Yaw Boateng, who paid a courtesy call on the South African High Commissioner, Her Excellency Madam Lulu Xingwana, on Tuesday 8th May, 2018, at her office in Labone, Accra said the was need for the exchange of programmes to develop the sector.
According to a statement by FDGG, the visit was also in connection with the second edition of the Ghana 60 Years-On Film Summit, which will be taking place on Thursday 12th July, 2018, at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The South African High Commissioner has been invited as one of the Guest Speakers for the summit.
The meeting discussed practical and diplomatic issues meant to establish a bilateral relationship between Gollywood, the Ghana Film Industry, and the South African Film Industry. Mr. Boateng proposed some activities that will strengthen the film industry of both countries to Madam Lulu.
Boateng requested an exchange programme with their South African counterparts and added that Ghanaian filmmakers will go to South Africa to help develop the film industry among the indigenous black South Africans who have not been fully involved in the film industry in the country.
“This bilateral relations between the two film industries is important because it is about time we tell our stories by ourselves and not foreigners telling our stories for us by twisting the stories to their favour as it has always been the case. The Africa heritage is well appreciated by Africans, and we as filmmakers are responsible for the continental integration of Africa by the preservation, protection and promotion of our African culture and history on films and television productions. The united future for Africa depends on the filmmakers in Africa coming together to integrate Africa through films and television programmes. This Dr. Kwame Nkrumah dreamt of in the 1960s.” Mr. Boateng said.
In her response, Her Excellency Madam Lulu Xingwana welcomed the request from FDGG and assured the body something will be done to encourage corporation among both countries film industry.
“I am very happy about what you have submitted to us. As politicians, we often forget the importance of what our children are exposed to by the films and the television shows they watch in our absence. I and my team will work on your request and make sure something is done about it so we can encourage the black South Africans and their Ghanaian counterparts to start telling our true Mandela stories and the Kwame Nkrumah stories, to Africa, etc. Who can tell those stories better than us? This is our heritage.” Madam Lulu Xingwana said.
Her Excellency Madam Lulu Xingwana expressed her deep appreciation for being invited as a Guest Speaker to the Ghana 60 Years-On Film Summit 2018. She promised to make it to the event since she will be in Ghana by the set date, Thursday 12th July 2018. She also promised to invite Mr. Boateng and his executives again to discuss further on the Ghana-South African collaborative film industry initiative.
At the meeting were Mr. Mapeete Kouame, the Deputy High Commissioner, Madam Thapelo Madumane, the Counsellor Political, and Madam Nompumelelo Bella, the Counsellor Economic.
Also, Mr. Richard Yaw Boateng was accompanied by the Acting General Secretary of the Film Directors Guild of Ghana (FDGG) and the Secretary to the National Planning Committee of the Summit, Rev. Ernest Ackom.
The 48 minutes meeting ended up with hopeful excitement, promising future for the initiative and a gallery of photography, as attached to this publication.
