The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Andrews Egyapa Mercer addressed the second edition of the Africa Cinema Summit at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra. The three-day summit seeks to unite inventive minds and business leaders in the African cinema.
Hon Egyapa Mercer said that the theme chosen for this year’s celebration, “Relevance of Cinema in African Communities,” could not be more appropriate, and the move indeed is a feather in our cup, having been able to bring people together for such eye-opening conversations.
He underscored the importance of Cinema as being an important powerful tool, a medium of storytelling that transcends borders, languages, and generations. According to him, It allows us to share our experiences, our challenges, our victories, and our dreams. African communities, rich with history and diverse cultures, have always had a deep connection to storytelling. Through film, we give life to our oral traditions, preserving them for future generations while also making them accessible to the world.
He said it is interesting to note that as a continent, we have long been misrepresented in the global media. Africa’s diverse realities, its innovative solutions, and the resilience of its people are too often overshadowed by negative stereotypes. African cinema, therefore, allows us to reclaim our narrative. It provides a platform where our stories can be told authentically and unapologetically. Through film, we challenge these misconceptions and show the world the true Africa—a continent brimming with creativity, innovation, and cultural wealth.
He expressed his hope, that as stakeholders gather for this exciting, but educative period, Ghana and the continent at large will embrace the need for more, the need to outdoor our rich culture and true cinema.
