The previous administration of the Film Producer’s Association of Ghana (FIPAG) handed over the administration of the association to the current executives in October 9th, 2013, in Accra after the election was held in August 2013, in Kumasi.

With pressure mounting on the President of FIPAG, Mr. Steve George Hackman Asare, to make public, his first quarter report/achievements, GhanaCelebrities.Com contacted him and he gave us a copy of his achievements; to forestall all dubiety in the minds of the media or public.

In his own words, Mr. Hackman told GhanaCelebrities.Com “I am glad to say that the executives with their efforts and selfless altitude towards the association had chalked some successes. In the first quarter of our administration we were able to achieve the following;

• A. STAKE HOLDERS – Distributors, Marketers, Sellers, Artistes and the Crew Members, we were able to have constant meetings with other stakeholders to have common purpose to move this industry forward, one of them is the MOU which by the special Grace of God it will be signed today after final reading to this august body.

• B. TRAINING – We have concluded arrangements with National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) to have a special training program for our members who want to further their profession in film making.

• C. In this regards, NAFTI has come out with two certificate programmes, which comprise both practical and theoretical work for a period of 26 weeks; 1^st module: 16 weeks ( 14 weeks of teaching; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 2 weeks of examination) 2^nd module 10 weeks of internship. Admission requirement to these programmes is 1.  BECE. 2. Age 25 and above 3.Already in the industry with two years working experience.The fee is GHC2, 500 and the application form is GHC60.00. However, FIPAG is working hard to source funding from World Bank (SDF) to sponsor members to enroll free of charge.

• D. OFFICE: During this period we were able to give our offices in Southern sector, (Accra) state of the art facilities which befit the status of Film Producers and one in Northern sector Kumasi with the same facilities. This has made members in the Northern Sector seeking information or wanting to do any business with FIPAG hassle free.

• E.DATA COLLECTION: The on-going data collection is success fully being undertaking; and FIPAG is now online by a clique if a bottom.www.fipagonline.com.

• F. SPONSORSHIP– FIPAG is in talks with some funding agencies to seek funds to sponsor programmes of interest like training, film festivals, awards etc.

• G.PIRACY – To tackle piracy, as one of our main enemies, anti-piracy teams have been set up; one in the Northern Sector headed by the Vice-President, Zakaria Abdulai, and the one at the Southern Sector headed by Ismelia Gyamfi. These two groups within the space of one month in existence have done a tremendous work in Ashanti Region, Greater Accra Region, Central Region and Northern Region.

Let me take opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the following people: Pat Thomas, Paul Gee, Miracle Films, Liberty Films and Macho Production. These people supported the anti-piracy exercise with money especially in the northern sector. Information Service Department known as censorship board had been instrumental in these operations.

• H. WORKING RELATION WITH POLICE SERVICE: We have been able to have a meeting with the Police administration in Accra, to be precise Inspector General of Police office to discuss the possible involvement of the service in the war against the pirates.

The ban on the use of the Police accoutrements in our movies is being resolved with the IGP office. The Police has sent signal to the Regional Commanders to facilitate our anti-piracy exercises. We have been able to have several meetings with Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Ministry of Information.

• I. WELFARE – For our welfare, we are in discussions with DONEWELL INSURANCE to cover members in time of needs. They have worked out a scheme called GROUP PERSONAL ACCIDENT SCHEME. This scheme will cover members between the ages of 16 to 60 years. And those who are above 60 years we are working out to design a scheme for them.

Whatever value we put on a member, 10% of that will be paid as premium per year and you get 100% of that premium in case of 1. Death, 2. In case of hospitalization an insured member gets 1% per week to pay part of the bills. 3. Surgery- 5% of the capital value will be paid.  4. Loss of limb or any part of your body 100% of the capital value will be paid.

We are also in the process of insuring OUR ANTI-PIRACY AND MONITORING TEAMS IN THE LINE OF DUTY SCHEME.

• J.      LIABILITIES: We have been able to pay the of honorarium of some of the immediate past Executive Members left unpaid by the immediately past administration to Messrs Kwaku Twumasi and Michael Afranie.

• K. EXPANDING FIPAG FRONTIERS: We have been able to send an emissary to the three Northern Regions to talk to them of FIPAG, and the executive will soon visit the north. We hope to bring all film producers across the country under the umbrella of FIPAG.

• L. AFFILIATION AND PARTNERSHIP: FIPAG is working together with Producers’ Guild of Ghana, NAFTI, Ghana Cultural Forum and Ghana Media Commission. FIPAG has also entered into working partnership with organization such as ANGEL FM (Kumasi), MULTI TV – ADOM TV to work out incentive packages to advertise at reduced rates on their networks.

• M. THE FILM BILL: Our meeting with the Chief Director of Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts and Ministry of Information, we have had the opportunity to revisit the Film Bill, which is at the concluding part, have made an input into it.

• N. APPOINTMENTS: The following FIPAG members have been appointed to the following boards to represent FIPAG. Mr. Augustine Abbey – Film Preview and Classification Board, Richard Quartey – Ghana Media Commission, Alberta Hurkpoti and Zakaria Abdulai – Ghana Cultural Forum.

• O. BRANDING THE FIPAG IMAGE: In the immediate past news about FIPAG had been negative. However, we have been able erase that impression or perception about FIPAG. This had led to some associations and organizations which hitherto would not want to do nothing with FIPAG forging partnership with FIPAG.

CHALLENGES

• Our administrationis saddled with financial difficulties which seem to delay the progress of the association. We inherited almost empty coffers at the assumption of office.

•  Another issue that is confronting us as an association is the issue of Agya Appiah; we have not been able to fulfill our part of the bargain.

• Misinformation, unsubstantiated allegations and rumours have also bedeviled the industry, which seem to retard the efforts of our administration. We would plead that members’ visit or call any of the FIPAG offices when a member is in doubt to seek for first hand information.

GhanaCelebrities.Com gathers Mr. Hackman read the above accountability report to a section of the members of FIPAG some weeks ago. We at GhanaCelebrities.Com wish Mr. Hackman a safe journey in his tenure of office as the President of FIPAG. Until then…MOTWUM!!

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