No Movie Release Until January 15

A Committee set up to regulate the activities of Film Producers, Distributors, Marketers, Actors and other players in the movie industry as a whole, has ordered film producers both in Ghana and outside the country, to halt the release of any movies from today 4th January to January 15, 2010. The nine-member Film Regulating Committee (FRC) issued this directive based on a unanimous decision by all members. According to the FRC, the Ghana Movie Market is choked with so many pirated, stolen and low standard movies, which is affecting the movie business in the country. In view of this, the FRC will use the next two weeks to flush out all unwanted moves from the market, after which the committee will move to the next phase by ensuring all movies are released through a legally-binding process. However, film producers based in Kumasi led by Samuel Kwasi Nyamekye, CEO of Miracle Films, have refused to comply with the FRC�s directive. Speaking on Peace FM�s �Kokrokoo� Morning show today Isaac Owusu, spokesperson for National Video Marketers Association of Ghana, said his "association together with all stakeholders in the movie industry, have agreed for this operation to take of today but some Kumasi producers are reneging on their word.� "We have invited and informed everyone but I wanted to say that Kwasi Nyamekye of Miracle Films is trying to bring division between producers in Kumasi and Accra. We have been to Tudu, Kantamanto and Opera Square. No movies have been released today so I do not know why Miracle Films changed his mind over a decision he is part of...We are those who buy the movie from the producers and sell to the public. When the police come they don�t arrest the producers...,� Isaac stated. On his part the President of Video Marketers Association, Mr Samuel Ampadu, revealed that after 15th January 2010 they are going to allow only 3 Ghanaian movies and one Nigerian Movie to be released every week onto the market. �We believe this will bring some sanity in the market,� he said. "The Committee will send all movies to the censorship board for approval and give the producers the date of release...I don�t know why Miracle Films is instigation the Kumasi producers against their Accra colleagues,� he lamented. Reacting to the allegations, Samuel Kwasi Nyamekye of Miracle Films said he and his colleagues in Kumasi are unaware of any undertaken. �How can they sit in Accra and decide for all of us? I agree that we have all decided to put certain measures in place but we did not agree on a specific deadline...This is not the right time for us to stop releasing movies. We have to sit down together and come to a compromise. The movies released in Kumasi are far more than those released in Accra, so we should all be part. The committee is yet to elect its executive on January 8 so why the haste?� he questioned.