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Entertainment pundit and radio broadcaster Nana Romeo says the government’s GH¢20 million Film Development Fund could be wasted if it is not properly managed.
Speaking in an interview on UTV Ghana, Nana Romeo welcomed the initiative and commended President John Dramani Mahama for introducing support for Ghana’s film industry.
“This is something that has been long-awaited. Over the years, the creative arts industry has been lamenting neglect. Mahama is the only president who has taken the sector at heart,” he stated.
Despite praising the intervention, Nana Romeo stressed that the use of the fund would come under intense public scrutiny and warned that the National Film Authority now carries a major responsibility.
“People will be observing to see that the money is utilised properly. At the end of the day, we have to show what we have been able to bring back with the money and the returns,” he said.
“If the money is not utilised properly, the same people will say it has been a waste and will demand the money back.”
According to him, the fund should not be viewed as a free gift but rather as a financial responsibility that must produce meaningful results for the industry.
“Whether we use it well or not, the NFA will have to pay back in one form or another. It is basically a trap, if I should put it that way. It is not a gift, it is a loan,” he warned.
Nana Romeo also addressed Kafui Danku and James Gardiner directly, urging them to exercise caution in selecting filmmakers who will benefit from the fund.
“They should be cautious of who they give the money to. If they give it to an unserious filmmaker and the person wastes it, it will fall back on them,” he said.
“And looking at how the government has been adamant about recovering wasted funds, they will be chased.”
The Film Development Fund was recently launched as part of efforts to support Ghana’s movie industry, improve production quality and create more opportunities for filmmakers and industry professionals.
The initiative has been widely welcomed by many players within the creative arts sector, who have long complained about the lack of funding and institutional support for filmmaking in Ghana.
However, concerns have also been raised about transparency, accountability and how the money will be distributed among filmmakers and production companies.
Industry stakeholders continue to call for a fair and well-monitored process to ensure the fund benefits serious filmmakers capable of producing quality content and generating returns for the industry.
The comments by Nana Romeo add to the growing public discussion surrounding how the Film Development Fund should be managed to ensure long-term success for Ghana’s film sector.
