FOCAP WARNS GOVERNMENT TO OPEN CINEMAS & THEATERS TO SAVE THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY FROM TOTAL COLLAPSE
Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals FOCAP is calling on government to, with immediate effect consider re-opening the CINEMAS and THEATRES with COVID protocols observed to enable the Creative Arts and Movie industry have a breather in the area of revenue in order not to collapse the industry completely.
FOCAP recalls that some eminent movie makers and some pressure groups like the NFA Action Group; an industry(Film) pressure group asking government to at least open the cinemas and Theatres with all COVID19 protocols but government did not heed to it. The National Film Authority (NFA) and the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture also received documents outlining all the mechanics as to how our cinemas and Theatres will be safe yet the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture and NFA didn’t give a listening ear to it.
It is shocking that government during the elections allowed political campaigns without adhering to COVID19 protocols yet didn’t allow our cinemas to open where the people can be controlled but rather used the very closed cinemas for their own political activities.
Again, in the President’s presentation of the State of The Nation Address 21, FOCAP witnessed participants disrespecting COVID 19 protocols on social distancing.
FOCAP is asking the National Film Authority, the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture and the Creative Agency to intervene for the Creative Arts industry because It is dying slowly and needs assistance.
Sadly, some banks and financial institutions are chasing after movie directors and stakeholders for unpaid loans and it’s becoming unbearable and embarrassing.
FOCAP believes that with the arrival of the vaccines and the on-going vaccination exercise, it should be safe to open theatres now as we continue to observe the COVID19 protocols.
A period of over 10 months of closure of any industry is enough to collapse that sector and that’s what the creative arts industry have gone through whiles other industries have been left to work without any hindrance and we believe it’s time to allow this sector to breathe before it dies out.
SEE BELOW A PRESSER ISSUED BY MEMBERS OF FOCAP
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KINDLY CONTACT THE FOLLOWING FOR ANY DETAILED INFORMATION:
Kojo Preko Dankwa Mel Kwesi Davis Enoch Agyapong
Convener Convener Convener
0576655656 0246550298 0244712136
