Renowned Ghanaian actor and spokesperson for the Ghana Actors Guild, Ken Fiati has emphasized on the influential role of film in shaping societal perceptions and behaviors. 

Speaking during Joy FM’s CREATIVE INDUSTRY MANIFESTO series on Showbiz A-Z, Ken stressed the potential of film as a tool for public education on national initiatives.

The actor advocated for the production of socially relevant documentaries, educational films, and public service announcements to instigate positive behavioral change and foster collective action. He reminisced about the Information Services Department’s past practice of disseminating information through community screenings, highlighting its effectiveness in reaching diverse audiences.

“Support the production of socially relevant documentaries, educational films and public service announcements to catalyze positive behavioral change and collective action.

You know, growing up, we used to see the Information Services Department going to communities and they played all sorts of videos and materials to send information across,” he said.

Drawing attention to the recent implementation of the e-levy, Fiati suggested that employing film for public awareness campaigns could have facilitated a smoother transition. He questioned whether the challenges faced could have been mitigated through more extensive use of film to educate the masses about the initiative.

“So like e-levy for example, would they have struggled the way they struggled if we used a system like this to send information across to educate the masses? So there is the need for us to look at that and enforce it,” he noted.

Additionally, the spokesperson proposed the development of essential film infrastructure, including film villages and studios, to support the industry’s growth. He stressed the importance of promoting indigenous narratives, preserving cultural heritage, regulating investment, and providing adequate training for local talents to ensure the sector’s sustainability and vitality. 

Fiati’s remarks underscored the multifaceted potential of film as a catalyst for social change and national development in Ghana.