The Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku, has defended the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking, describing it as another creative tool.
In a statement, Kafui Danku said she released her first AI creation recently and while some film enthusiasts welcomed it and commended her for being forward-thinking, she noticed reservations from some creatives, particularly young people.
“I also noticed something that genuinely concerned me: reservations from some of our own creatives…particularly some of the younger people I expected would be curious enough to ask, ‘How did you do this? What prompts did you use? How can we make it better?’ Instead, some of the reactions were rooted in fear; particularly the fear that AI means they may no longer have opportunities to work on set,” she said.
According to her, AI does not automatically mean fewer opportunities for Ghanaian creatives, but rather the question should be who is using the AI and what they are using it to create.
“If a Ghanaian writer develops the story, a Ghanaian producer brings it to life, Ghanaian actors provide the voices or performances, Ghanaian musicians create the soundtrack, and Ghanaian directors, editors, designers and artists shape the final product, then AI has not necessarily removed Ghanaian creativity. It has become another production tool,” she explained.
She noted that many good stories never get made because production costs are too high, and if AI can help a filmmaker bring a story to life that may otherwise never have existed, it should be explored.
“AI does not wake up one morning and decide to make a Ghanaian film. Someone still has to write the story. Develop the characters. Make the creative decisions. Direct. Edit. Create the sound. Shape the visual language. Market the project. And ultimately find an audience,” she added.
Kafui Danku acknowledged that concerns about job losses are valid, but said resisting the technology will not protect the industry.
“I believe the better approach is to ensure that Ghanaian creatives understand these tools, learn how to use them, and most importantly, remain in control of how they are applied. Because the bigger danger isn’t Ghanaian filmmakers using AI. The bigger danger is the rest of the world mastering these tools while we refuse to engage with them,” she cautioned.
She said the conversation should not be about AI versus Ghanaian creatives, but how to ensure Ghanaian creatives control the tools, tell their own stories, own the intellectual property and benefit financially.
“The technology is here either way. The important thing is making sure we are behind the wheel… not standing on the roadside watching it pass us by,” she said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme