Confusion Hits Film Producers Association of Ghana

The center can no longer hold within the leadership of the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) as reports say both members and leadership are divided.

This comes months after the association had controversially banned some top Ghanaian actors who had issues with its members. Currently, reports said members of the association were having serious problems with its president, Augustine Abbey, popularly called Idikoko, and were even planning to suspend him.

Even though a few members of the association had come out to speak publicly about their grievances, the association’s mouth piece, Socrates Sarfo and Treasurer Helen Omaboe have been vocal. Socrates and Idikoko clashed on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review on Saturday in an unanticipated verbal brawl between the two officials of FIPAG.

This was after Idikoko answered questions from host Akwasi Aboagye concerning operations of the association and its upcoming elections, as well as concerns from unnamed members. When it was Socrates Sarfo’s turn to comment on the president’s responses, he cunningly asked Idikoko to tell the whole world what his functions as FIPAG president were.

Socrates further questioned Idikoko on why he had taken over the responsibilities of the treasurer. It was obvious that all was not well at FIPAG. Idikoko, during his response, sounded angry.
He said he found Socrates’ question unfortunate because their constitution spelt out the functions of the president.

To him, Socrates was not fair to him by asking the question on a public platform. However, Idikoko’s response was that he as president was the main head of the association and could be held responsible when things went wrong.

Idikoko said he therefore had the right to ensure every department of the association functioned effectively. However, he did not explain why he had taken over the treasurer’s job, because, according to him, he did not want to publicize the negative reasons that pushed him into doing that. He prefers to do that at their meeting. This appears to be a beginning of a new era in running the affairs of FIPAG.

Not too long ago, movie producers from Kumasi who were registered members of FIPAG threatened to stage a massive demonstration against the association’s president, Idikoko and his executive over what they described as an unfair distribution of some GH¢200,000 given to FIPAG from COSGA as monies accrued from copyright levies. The new brouhaha is also about money.

Source: News One