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 released to myjoyonline.com, Akosua Abdallah indicates that she is not involved in the said petition.
Yesterday, Association of Ghanaian Creatives, a group of arts stakeholders, sent out a change.org link petitioning 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 at the Executive Secretary of the NFA, with James Gardiner as her Deputy.
While explaining that Kafui and James lack the competence to handle those positions, they suggested the following film professionals as better fits for the positions: George Bosompin (National Film Institute, GAFTA), Jim Awindor (Film and television strategist), Akofa Edjeani Asiedu (veteran filmmaker and policy maker), Professor Linus Abraham (Media and communication expert), Akosua Abdallah (Film education and policy expert) and Ms. Nicole Amarteifio (Pioneering filmmaker and industry advocate).
Three of the people listed as qualified candidates for the positions, Dr. Jim Fara Awindor, George Bosompim and Professor Linus Abraham, later issued a statement to dissociate themselves from the cause, stating that they were not privy to any discussion regarding the petition.
Dr. Akosua Abdallah is the fourth person to express her non-involvement in the petition.
Read her statement 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 do not know 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)
Source: Kwame Dadzie
