By Belinda Nketia
For over three decades, Ghana’s film industry struggled to establish a regulatory body, according to Ghanaian veteran film figure Oscar Provencal.
Now that the long-awaited National Film Authority (NFA) Act is in place, Provencal is urging stakeholders to set aside their differences and focus on moving the sector forward, following the disapproval expressed by some members over recent appointments to the NFA.
Appearing on GTV’s Breakfast Show with Kafui Dey on March 3, 2025, Provencal expressed his frustration over a petition from the Association of Ghanaian Creatives to President John Dramani Mahama, calling for the revocation of Kafui Danku and James Gardiner’s appointments to the National Film Authority.
According to Provencal, the feud, sparked by dissatisfaction over the appointments, threatens to undermine the progress made after years of struggle to attain the National Film Authority Act.
“We’ve been fighting for 30 years for a law that would regulate our industry, and now is not the time to start fighting again,” he said. “We need to focus on good governance and support the new leadership. Turning this into a circus only harms the industry, and nobody will take us seriously.”
Provencal also commented on Juliet Asante’s social media post, in which she shared the challenges she faced while heading the NFA.
While he acknowledged the struggles the former NFA Executive Secretary endured, he disagreed with her public airing of grievances, calling it a “preemptive strike“ that has now opened a “Pandora’s box.”
“If I were her, I would have kept quiet,” he added.
Ghana’s film industry’s decades-long battle for a regulatory framework came to fruition around 2017, according to Provencal. After years of advocacy, the NFA was finally established. However, he warned that internal conflicts and legal battles have continued to undermine the industry’s credibility.
“After 30 years of struggle, the law has been passed,” he said. “It’s time to focus on good governance, support the new leadership, and move forward.”
Looking ahead, Provencal reflected on his own milestone as he plans to celebrate 40 years in the Ghanaian film industry by the end of the month. He emphasized his desire to recognize the efforts of those working behind the scenes—the unsung heroes who ensure that actors and actresses look their best on set.
