Accra Film School (AFS) Graduation 2015

The Accra film school graduation was a huge success, as many media personalities both new and old joined the ceremony, which was held at the Silver Bird cinema at Accra Mall. Trailer TV presenter Eva Dansoa Aikins was the host for the event. The likes of Mrs. Kathleen mate-kole, Retired board secretary of Printex. Mr Fara Awindor lecturer at National Film and Television Institute, Nathaniel Attoh, Joe Lartey, George Williams, Louis Bailey, Dr Gary Dejean where all present. The Event began with a prayer and and national anthem by Natalie Fort and Mackoomson Joseph both students of Accra Film School. Mr Fara Awindor who was the chairperson for the event gave a food for thought opening address, he called on the film makers in the industry to come up with true and inspiring African stories that can change and develop the country.

Mr Joe Lartey, Ghana's veteran TV host and sports commentator, popularly know by his phrase " Over To You " is a board member and lecture of Accra film school, he led the matriculation oath and urged students to live by the oath as it is very important and would guide them anywhere they go. Nathaniel Attoh who gave the Keynote Address at the graduation, stressed on the lack of interest, and support in the film and television industry in Ghana. He recalled the Guinness Football Challenge which was hosted in Ghana, in its season one inside the studios of Tv3. Was later moved to South Africa to shoot the season two and three due to the lack of studio space capacity in Ghana. He also spoke of the Tigo Advert which was shot in India during the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana, due to the lack space and poor investment.

Nathaniel Attoh at the Accra Film School Graduation called on Government and people in the private sector to focus more on the creative arts industry. The showing of foreign telenovelas by television stations and purchasing of foreign wears is killing the Film and Television industry in Ghana, Nathaniel added. Nathaniel Attoh concluded by quoting Tommy Lasorda in baseball and business " There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens " Students who complete Accra film school will have to submit a final project, a total of 49 students graduating submitted their projects and the board selected Four 4 projects to be screened at the graduation ceremony. The projects screen were, TV show, which was hosted by Natalie Forts and had Joyce Ayrakwa Worlali as a guest on the show. Next was a short films Directed by Femi Alfred and Jeremiah Agyepong and the Last was a documentary by Abdul Raafi Mohammed which focused on Access to Water in Ghana. The documentary featured Dr Ayongo Annan, a specialist in Family Medicine at the Korle bu Poly clinic, Padmore Preparatory school, Wateraid Ghana community members of both Accra and Tamale.

The Executive director of Accra Film School, Mr Rex Anthony Anann in his speech said " I know many of you are excited to be finally graduating, but I have some news for you. You maybe graduating today but your education is not finished. The learning process is not over just because you are now out of school." Mr Rex continued " I always find it gratifying to hear our old students doing well in their careers. Barakisu a presenter at Viasat1, Elijah a Editor at Ghone TV, Aron a editor at UTV, Bright Asiamah Cortez, Director of Trailer TV, showing on Ghone Tv, Vincent in Benin, running advertising business and many many more. " Ghanaians are spoilt for choices as regards to the number of TV channels trying to get attention. With digital migration the future of TV in Ghana looks even more interesting. Where as in other countries, TV stations pay content producers for their projections or commission them, in Ghana the model is upside down and content producers have to buy airtime before their productions get to be seen by audience" .

" Thankfully the tied is changing and migration to digital broadcasting would hasten it. How ever with digital broadcasting a national carrier of a sort would carry the signal of all channels around the country. This means all free to air channels available to a viewer in Accra would be available to a viewer in keta, Axim, Bawku. This implies that no station would have the advantage of " reach " over the other. All stations start the competition on a equal footing. " Mr Rex Anann told the populated crowd gathered at the silverbird, his reason for setting up Accra film school was that he recognised one of the problems that our industry has is, there are a lot of unskilled employees. People end up leaning on the job, which is a reason for poor productions. Mr Rex urged Government To pay more attention Private schools like Accra film school because it could provide jobs for young people.

He concluded by telling graduates " it is inevitable that you will face new challenges, yes, life is definitely going to become a little shaken up. You and I know that there will and always be hard days. It is during the times of success that people will know your name, and it is during times of trouble that that people will know your character. Be mindful of your character, it becomes your destiny.

Mr George awilliams, Mr Fara Awindor, and Mrs. Kathleen mate-kole were among the dignitaries who awarded the students with the certificates. The students Address which was read by Abdul Raafi Mohammed was the talk of the day, as his crowd had lots of laughs due to his humour, for others Mohammed speech was deep and carried a very strong message to young people across the world.

Abdul Raafi Mohammed in his speech said " They told me I was too ugly, locally funny, I was told my head is too big, my English was very poor, from the very beginning of my days in Accra film school, majority of my mates and seniors laughed at me, they told me my name was too local and difficult to pronounce, they advised me to change my name. But I said to my self, I am going to keep my name, if people remember it or not, it's my name ". " My friends back in the north told me my dream of becoming Komla Dumor or Majid Michel was just a mere dream. They told me my chances of meeting a Ghanaian Celebrity was impossible, in fact that it was a mission impossible. My family said to be a TV Presenter was for the Rich and Famous. And they were right, nobody knew me, and I didn't even have a bank account nor mobile money account ".

Abdul Raafi Mohammed quoted " And know the Lord will lead to you a rock that is higher than thou " . That is my favourite bible verses. Abdul went further to say "The Quran Says " Allah is the Guardian of those who believe, he brings them out from the darkness into the light "( 2:257 ) But God could have a bigger plan for you, than you could ever dream for yourself. Abdul said. December 2014, Viasat 1 nominated Abdul for the maiden Jigwei Awards alongside other famous Ghanaian celebrities, On 25 of December Abdul Raafi Mohammed, who was being praised by his colleagues was on the same stage with Majid Michel, Kofi Adjololor, James Gardina, DKB, Mr Ben Brako, Mrs Paulina Oduro, Fosteromanus and others as they acted the famous birth of Jesus Christ Live on Viasat that Christmas Morning. Rafiu Fishone as he is know on social media concluded by saying

" Honours our calling, don't worry about how successful you will be, focus on how significant you can be in service and the success will take care of it self. You are defined by what you stand for. Your integrity is not for sale " .. Mr Fara Awindor in his closing remarks commended Abdul Raafi Mohammed for a wonderful speech and urged matriculants to learn from Mohammed's speech and urged students to work hard for Accra film school has a laid down a solid foundation, Mr Fara also called on The school board and its Executive director Mr Rex Anthony Annan to work harder to get Accra film school to the international front. Story By Michael Sarpong