Thursday 31 May 2007

G8 Uncovered event: Hands off and Hand over

In June 2007, leaders of the world's most powerful countries meet for a G8 summit in Heiligendamm in Germany. Africa tops their agenda and even more interference for the developing world is on the cards.

Join the June 7th G8 Uncovered event. Think Newsnight plus Lie Detector test. A screening of Damned by Debt Relief will be followed by an interrogation of prevailing G8 myths by a panel of experts:

Daniel Ben-Ami, journalist, economist and author of ‘Cowardly Capitalism’ ; Philip Cunliffe, researcher and author of ‘Politics Without Sovereignty’ and Stuart Simpson, economist and author of ‘Damn lies and Debt Relief’.

A studio audience will join the fray and the event will be filmed for broadcast on the web.

Nail the big picture by joining crew and audience on:

Thursday June 7th 2007
at 7.30pm


The WORLDwrite Centre,
Millfields Lodge
201 Millfields Road,
London
E5 0AL


Doors open 6pm onwards with stalls.

Entry is free. Additional cameras welcome. Refreshments available.

t. 020 8985 5435
e. world.write@btconnect.com
For full details of the film visit www.worldwrite.org.uk/damned/


Directions to WORLDwrite

The WORLDwrite Centre is at the very bottom of Millfields Road, past the park, opposite Oswald Street in Clapton, Hackney, London E5. The 242 bus stops right outside the centre at the 2nd stop on Millfields Road. You can get the 242 from Tottenham Court Road (50mins) or Liverpool Street (30mins) - direction Homerton Hospital. Many buses also stop at the top of Millfields Road at Clapton pond. From here walk all the way down past the park to the other end of Millfields Road (about 10 mins).

Click here for a map

Saturday 12 May 2007

Improving the distribution of Ghanaian Films

I have an idea, it is not original, but it may work.

Following my discovery of the AIFF see Filming out of Ghana: comment 11.05.07, I would Like to look into how to help with the exhibition of the Ghanaian production based made films in the UK, but particularly in London.

I am sure that I am not alone in this, so what are your thoughts on this?

Can you recommend any great films?

Do you know of any venues that may be interested in screening such features in the UK during Black History Month?

Let me know what you think!!

Thursday 10 May 2007

HYPERINFLATION: The End???

The introduction of the new Ghanaian Cedi is nothing new in terms of method.

Is the reinvention of this wheel going to make a difference?

There are several views on this matter. For example we have Adwowa Mansah who summarises why she thinks this introduction is not enough to stabilise the economy. In her article, she sets out vivid reasons that cover why re-denomination is necessary, and some of the factors that may determine the successful outcome of these plans.

The Re-denomination of the Cedi: Hosted by GhanaWeb.com

Debates over these issues by Ghanaian politicians are portrayed in an article written by Cynthia Boakye.
Parliament debates re-denomination of the cedi: Hosted by The Statesman
This same site also has links to issues that aim to educate others about this transition, which I found fairly useful.
The new Ghana Cedi
The new Ghana Cedi - part two

At the end of the day, what is important is how those individuals who live from hand to mouth will react to these changes. What is going to be done to educate such end users through this transition?

For this post I invite you to place your views on this matter, and share how you think an individual such as Ama may be affected by this. For more info about her, read this blog entry by Ethan Zuckerman.

Ama and the jewellery store: Hosted by ethanzuckerman.com

Tuesday 8 May 2007

Filming: Out of Ghana

An anonymous tipper kindly shared info about an up and coming director Julius Amedume and his feature called 'A Goat's Tail'. Thanks Tipper!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490951/
I have not seen it myself, but my first impressions suggest that this dude is delivering more than the average Ghanaian soap drama. Set both in London and in Ghana, sounds like it is the makings of a very ambitious project. http://amedumefilms.com/

What worries me is the state of Ghanaian filming and its international appeal. Considering that 50 years ago, the number of studios equipped for film production back home, should have provided incentive for a lucrative industry. Don't get me wrong, the present industry is lucrative, but on a home market basis.

What are your thoughts on the genre types presently being made in Ghana?

I know that this will be taboo to say - ooooh - but where do you stand as you see Ghanaians plugging the Nigerian market more than their own?

It would be great to have more producer/directors like Julius; there surely is a lack of talent to titillate the international palette. Do you know of anyone else out there??

More importantly, here is another request asking for a filmic resource. Who knows where to see or get 'A Goat's Tail'? I could really do with your input anonymous tipper!!!!

Monday 7 May 2007

50 Years of Independence: How do you gauge this??

The sixth of March this year marked the semicentennial/jubilee/gold anniversary of Ghana's independence from colonial rule. To some this is a plus, to others the current status of Ghana is viewed as a negative.

So what are your thoughts on this??

For me, recent publicity has mostly shown negative aspects of this. Comparison to Malaysia's progression, and the BBC's recent documentary about Victoria's Empire, have left me bitter.

Ghana, has come a long way, but I fear within a public sphere this is not really recognised, once again I reiterate, what are your thoughts on this?

Here is a treat in the meantime.

Heritage Africa

Does anyone know where to get a copy of Kwah Ansah's classic 80s tale.

I would really love to see this movie, any takers????

In case you are not sure, check out this link on IMDB. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216803/ .

I'm based in London by the way, if anyone is selling!!!

Suggest a post!!!

Hello and welcome to Yiadom.

I'm Roz and looking for ideas for this blog.

I suppose, I'm asking for any suggestions. If there is a topic that you want to discuss, bearing in mind that it needs to be Ghana related, then here is the post to suggest it.

The scope is broad and can cover issues back home and in the UK.

Looking forward to those interesting submissions!!!!