Ghanaian filmmakers sranded as Gloria Sarfo blasts AMAA organizers for broken promises
Ghanaian actress, Gloria Sarfo, has openly criticized the organizers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) after several Ghanaian filmmakers encountered issues with their flight arrangements for the event in Nigeria.
The 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards took place in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, November 2, 2024. However, the journey was not smooth for many Ghanaian invitees. According to Gloria Sarfo, Ghanaian filmmakers who were set to attend the ceremony found themselves stranded at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. In a social media video, Gloria shared that the tickets provided by AMAA organizers did not allow them to board the flight.
Over 15 filmmakers and media professionals, including Abdul Salam Mumuni, Frank Rajah, Pascal Amanfo, and Akorfa Adjeani, reportedly faced this issue. Gloria explained that the invitation had included promises of an all-expenses-paid trip, complete with flight details and an itinerary.
“You can’t tell me that you are giving me an all-expense paid trip and then I get stranded at the airport. It doesn’t work that way,” Gloria said. “Like I said, I had a lot of work to do. I missed a movie set, a feature film by a colleague. I missed a short film, I missed an awards night that I was nominated, I missed going for my movie premiere.”
To make matters worse, Gloria highlighted the lack of communication from AMAA organizers, even after it became clear that there were no confirmed flights. She expressed her disappointment at the lack of respect shown to the Ghanaian invitees by putting them in such an uncomfortable situation on November 1, 2024. “It was embarrassing,” she remarked.
Due to these issues, most of the Ghanaian team scheduled to travel to Nigeria were unable to attend the event. Those who managed to make it reportedly faced further challenges, including accommodation issues upon arrival.
The AMAA organizers have yet to respond to Gloria Sarfo’s concerns or those of the affected Ghanaian filmmakers.
