Ghanaian actress Gloria Sarfo has vehemently condemned the organizers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for issuing fictitious flight tickets to Ghanaian filmmakers, thereby leaving them stranded and embarrassed.
In a scathing Instagram post captioned “THIS MUST STOP,” Sarfo narrated the humiliating ordeal she and other distinguished industry figures, including Julia Appiah, Abdul Salman Mumuni, Pascal Amanfo, and Akorfa Adjeani, endured at the airport. The group’s names were conspicuously absent from the airline’s system, rendering their tickets invalid.
Sarfo’s indignation was palpable as she demanded a prompt explanation from the AMAA organizers for this egregious blunder. Disturbingly, she revealed that this incident was not an isolated occurrence, but rather a recurring issue that has consistently plagued the awards ceremony.
The AMAA has faced intense scrutiny and controversy in recent years, with persistent concerns surrounding the transparency and fairness of its voting process, representation of diverse filmmaking communities, organizational efficacy, and financial management.
Specifically, critics have raised questions about the opacity of the voting process and potential biases, the underrepresentation of certain countries and filmmakers in nominations and awards, inefficient communication, logistics, and event planning, and allegations of non-payment or delayed payment of awards, tickets, and expenses to winners and participants.
In light of these recurring issues, Sarfo’s call to action underscores the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and reform within the AMAA. As a premier platform celebrating African cinematic excellence, the organization must prioritize the dignity and interests of its stakeholders.
