Entertainment
Film Classification Committee to crack the whip on recalcitrant content creators
The Classification Committee of the National Film Authority has in a statement sent a strong warning to audio-visual content creators who refused to present their works for classification.
The statement signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Socrate Safo, indicated that effective May 1, all audio-visual content shall be previewed and classified before exhibition in line the Development and Classification of Film Act 935.
“After several consultations with various stakeholders of the audio-visual industry in Ghana, from 1st May 2021, no television station, cinema theatre, or movie screening centre shall show any unclassified audio-visual content,” the statement stressed.
According to the Classification Committee, such audio-visual content included feature films, short films, TV series, selected TV programmes, documentaries, advertisements, music videos meant for public exhibition and broadcasting.
The statement added that a right owner, licensee, or assignee who desired to exhibit audio-visual content shall submit the content to the Film Classification Committee for examination and classification at least 21 days before the intended exhibition.
“Anyone who fails to comply with the set rules shall be subject to the Offences and Penalties in Section 27 of the Development and Classification of Film Act 935,” it added.
The Film Classification Committee is a body formed by the National Film Authority and mandated by the Development and Classification of Film Act 935 to preview and classify any audio-visual content intended for public exhibition in Ghana.
The Film classification rules shall apply to selected television programmes that directly impact the socio-cultural and moral conscience of the people of Ghana; for example, sex education programmes, talk shows, among others.
However, the rules shall not apply to other types of television programming – such as news, newsreel and current affairs programmes, sports, events, games, teleshopping and in-house productions by the various television stations.
The audio-visual content shall be classified for free-to-air television, cinema theatres and movie centres, posters/publicity materials, film Library and new media.
The committee examines and classifies films and other audio-visual content meant for public exhibition in Ghana to ensure conformity to the national aspirations, moral and cultural standards, protection of children from premature exposure to adult experience and provision of consumer advice to enable individuals and parents to make informed viewing choices for themselves as well as for children in their care.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
GOMOA Central Constituency in the Central Region of Ghana was the place of attraction for this year’s Easter, as Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kwame Asare Obeng, affectionately called Aplus staged a four-day carnival.
The event started with a welcome bonfire night, where the people of Gomoa and some dignitaries proceeded through the principal streets of Gomoa Central on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
It continued on Friday with Highlife Night, which saw Kwabena, Bless, Dada Hafco, Kofi Nti, Ofori Amponsah, Samini and others rock patrons.
Saturday started with a walk from Obuasi through Afranse to Ekwamkrom, where a durbar of chiefs was held.
The night erupted with concert at Ekwamkrom headlined by Ghana’s Finest Sarkodie. Sarkodie indeed proved his mettle with back-to-back hit songs and engaging performance.
Patrons also enjoyed mind-blowing performances from Keche, Kuami Eugene, Tinny, Obaapa Christy, Sista Afia and many others.
On Sunday, which was the final day, witnessed packed performances from Patapaa, Kofi Kinaata, Jupitar, Kwaw Kese, Piesie Esther, and Amerado amongst others.
Patrons enjoyed exquisite catwalk on the runway as Smully Wear put together some local designers for a fashion show.
The likes of Aplus, MP for the area, Deputy GTA Boss Gilbert Aggrey (Abeiku Santana), New Media President Eugene Osafo Nkansah and Media Personality Kleff Maxwell Justice (KMJ) were all on the runway as models.
On each day, up and coming musicians had their time on the big stage to enthrall the audience.
Mr Kwame Asare Obeng in an interview with The Spectator expressed his appreciation to the traditional leaders of the area, the constituents, Corporate Ghana and all and sundry for their unflinching support.
He said the success of the maiden edition will lead to even a bigger one next year.
According to him, his constituents who own businesses like hotels, restaurants, other traders and drivers among others were able to cash out from the carnival, which was very satisfying to him.
“Empowering the community to make ends meet to cater for their families was important for me. I have engaged most of them, and they are happy with sales. This makes me very happy,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
THE Accra Sports Stadium will host the maiden edition of Katon Praise 2026, a global worship gathering aimed at uniting believers across nations through spirit-led praise, on Friday, April 17.
The event, scheduled to begin at 4pm, will bring together worshippers for an atmosphere of prayer, music and reflection centred on the theme: ‘To See Jesus Glorified.’
Organisers have said that Katon Praise was more than a musical concert, noting that it was intended to serve as a movement that connects people in a shared moment of worship, regardless of location.
According to the organisers, the programme will feature a line-up of worship ministers performing under a unified sound to create a collective worship experience.
The gathering will also be streamed live on the Katon Meet platform to enable audiences around the world to participate.
Organisers say the Accra edition marks the beginning of what is expected to grow into a global worship platform that brings together believers to celebrate faith through music and prayer.
Worshippers attending the maiden programme are expected to experience an evening of praise and spiritual reflection as voices from different backgrounds join in a common expression of faith.
The organisers have encouraged the public to follow the movement through the hashtags #KatonPraise and #KatonMeet on social media platforms. -GNA
