Association of Ghanaian Creatives, a group of arts stakeholders, is petitioning President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the appointments of Kafui Danku and James Gardiner to the National Film Authority.

Kafui Danku has been appointed at the Executive Secretary of the NFA, with James Gardiner as her Deputy. 

However, in a change.org petition, Association of Ghana Creatives is requesting that the President rather considers other options.

According to them, Kafui and James lack the competence to handle those positions. 

“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.

They further indicate that "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 group intimates that "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 have therefore suggested the following film professionals to be given the positions:

1. George Bosompin (National Film Institute, GAFTA)

2. Jim Awindor (Film and television strategist)

3. Akofa Edjeani Asiedu (veteran filmmaker and policy maker)

4. Professor Linus Abraham (Media and communication expert)

5. Akosua Abdallah (Film education and policy expert)

6. Ms. Nicole Amarteifio (Pioneering filmmaker and industry advocate)

Check out full petition here.