The Association of Ghanaian Creatives, a coalition of industry stakeholders, is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the recent appointments of Kafui Danku and James Gardiner to the National Film Authority (NFA).

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Kafui Danku has been named as the Executive Secretary of the NFA, with James Gardiner serving as her deputy. However, the association has launched a petition on change.org, urging the government to select more qualified individuals for these key roles.

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“We, the undersigned members of the Association of Ghanaian Creatives, urge the government to appoint qualified, visionary leadership at the NFA. The institution must be helmed by a technocrat with deep industry knowledge, supported by a board of experienced creative professionals who can steer the sector toward revitalization and global competitiveness,” the petition states.

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The group argues that both Kafui Danku and James Gardiner lack the necessary expertise to lead the authority, stating that their experience in the industry is inadequate for such a strategic position.

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“Neither Kafui Danku nor James Gardiner possesses the industry experience or expertise required to lead such a vital institution. Their backgrounds, limited to low-budget productions and social media branding, fall woefully short of the strategic vision needed to navigate Ghana’s film sector toward growth,” the statement continues.

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Drawing comparisons to previous leadership, the petitioners highlight what they describe as a decline in leadership quality.

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“The appointment of an underqualified CEO signals a departure from excellence, particularly when contrasted with the legacy of Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, a Harvard-trained industry leader who brought groundbreaking initiatives to the NFA and successfully brokered distribution deals with major players like MTN,” they noted.

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As an alternative, the association has proposed several industry professionals they believe are better suited for the roles. Their list includes:

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George Bosompin (National Film Institute, GAFTA)

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Jim Awindor (Film and television strategist)

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Akofa Edjeani Asiedu (Veteran filmmaker and policy maker)

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Professor Linus Abraham (Media and communication expert)

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Akosua Abdallah (Film education and policy expert)

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Ms. Nicole Amarteifio (Pioneering filmmaker and industry advocate)

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