Veteran Ghanaian actor Fred Amugi says the new leadership of the National Film Authority now faces the difficult task of turning years of criticism into visible progress for the country’s struggling film industry.
During an appearance on MX24 TV, the respected actor pointed out that Executive Secretary Kafui Danku-Pitcher and Deputy Executive Secretary James Gardiner had previously questioned how the authority was being managed, making it necessary for them to now justify the confidence placed in them.
“The very people sitting there now were part of those who were saying that the last administration is not working. So now that you are there, we are expecting you to make things work,” he said.
Despite the pressure on the new administration, Fred Amugi believes the authority’s renewed focus on reviving old cinemas could help breathe life back into Ghana’s movie culture if the plans are successfully carried through.
He revealed that conversations about restoring cinema spaces had come up in past discussions with James Gardiner long before his appointment to the authority, adding that the actor-turned-administrator now has the platform to act on those ideas.
“Somebody like James, this topic, we have sat and discussed it. So, if James has now gotten the seat and the power to bring those things back, it is for the better,” he noted.
The remarks follow recent efforts by the National Film Authority to inspect and assess abandoned cinema facilities across Accra as part of a broader restoration agenda.
Kafui Danku-Pitcher and James Gardiner recently toured a number of dormant movie theatres, including the Roxy Cinema in Adabraka and the Orion Cinema at Circle, both of which have remained inactive for years.
The inspection exercise also covered former entertainment venues such as Rex Cinema and Oxford Cinema.
Video shared from the visits revealed visibly deteriorated buildings and neglected interiors, while officials of the authority maintained that the project is aimed at transforming the old spaces into modern hubs for film, culture and the creative arts.
According to the NFA leadership, the initiative is intended not only to preserve Ghana’s cinema legacy but also to create fresh opportunities for film exhibition and artistic development.
