Kwaw Ansah unveils films to reclaim Africa’s narrative
Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker, Kwaw Ansah, has unveiled a new documentary and animated film aimed at sparking conversations on Africa’s identity, history and future, while urging filmmakers to use cinema as a tool to reclaim the continent’s narrative.
The productions were unveiled at a private industry screening in Accra on Wednesday under the theme: ‘Why Are We Here Africa?’, bringing together leading actors, directors and creative industry stakeholders to review the works and offer professional feedback ahead of their public release.
Among those present were Ivan Quashigah, James Gardner, Kafui Danku and Mawuko Afadzinu, as well as other film practitioners.
The highlight of the event was a one-hour, 20-minute documentary based on the Conversations symposium, which features prominent African intellectuals examining the historical, political and cultural factors behind Africa’s development challenges.
It was accompanied by a 21-minute animated film exploring themes of African suffering, loss of identity and the enduring effects of slavery and colonisation.
Participants were invited to critique the productions, with their recommendations expected to shape the final versions before release.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ansah reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to strengthening the National Film Authority (NFA), describing it as the institution best placed to drive the growth and transformation of Ghana’s film sector.
He stressed that audio-visual storytelling remained one of the most powerful tools for reclaiming African identity, challenging long-held stereotypes and presenting authentic African stories to global audiences.
Mr Ansah said Africa could not afford to be left behind in the global media landscape and must deliberately use film to redefine how the continent was perceived, both by its own people and the rest of the world.
He further called for stronger collaboration among filmmakers, noting that even small but deliberate efforts by committed practitioners could significantly advance the industry.
Mr Ansah explained that the documentary sought to answer why Africa continued to struggle, arguing that while slavery inflicted immense suffering, colonisation dealt a deeper psychological blow by reshaping Africans’ perception of themselves, their culture and their values.
He also acknowledged the contributions of both veteran and emerging filmmakers, including Ivan Quashigah, Kafui Danku and Mawuko Afadzinu, and stressed the importance of mentorship and continuity in the creative sector.
The documentary features contributions from several African and Ghanaian intellectuals, including Solomon Owusu and Kwasi Pratt Jr, who examine the continent’s history and propose pathways towards cultural renewal and self-determination.
Veteran filmmaker Ivan Quashigah described cinema as a powerful instrument capable of reversing decades of psychological conditioning shaped by foreign narratives.
He urged filmmakers to deliberately produce content that nurtured a “new African” with confidence, integrity and the capacity to manage the continent’s affairs independently.
Mr Quashigah also called on the National Film Authority to strategically utilise the National Film Development Fund to support productions that promote authentic African values and identity.
Actor James Gardner commended the concept behind the productions but recommended greater use of archival footage, photographs and historical visuals to complement the speeches and enhance audience engagement.
He noted that visual storytelling depicting key moments in African history, including the transatlantic slave trade and the struggle for freedom, would make the films more impactful and emotionally engaging.
Participants agreed that Ghana’s film industry had a critical responsibility to tell stories that preserved history, inspired confidence among Africans and projected a more accurate image of the continent to the world.
BY ENOCH NTIAMOAH SIAW
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