Tamale: The Tamale Film and Television Academy (TAFTA) has been honoured with the Award for Excellence in Broadcast and Media Education at the 2nd Northern Ghana Business Merit Awards (NOBMA), held in Tamale. The award was in recognition of TAFTA's contribution to media education and youth empowerment in northern Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Alhassan Abdul Washeed, Chief Executive Officer of TAFTA, expressed that the award serves as a strong validation of their work, with potential for further achievements. He emphasized that TAFTA is committed to empowering Northern Ghana's future storytellers by replacing theoretical education with real-world skills. This approach ensures that their students evolve into creators rather than just learners.
Mr. Washeed highlighted that TAFTA's recognition marks over a decade of dedicated efforts in training young individuals in video production, storytelling, and digital media skills. The Academy has established itself as a crucial training hub, equipping students with practical expertise in areas such as camera operation, directing, editing, and acting.
The awards ceremony attracted a distinguished assembly of government officials, cultural leaders, and academics to celebrate business and institutional excellence in northern Ghana. Organized by The Business Executive Media Group, the NOBMA initiative aims to address the national imbalance in recognition and opportunities, traditionally concentrated in the southern regions of the country. The event was themed 'Identifying the Gatekeepers of Business in Northern Ghana' and focused on highlighting individuals and institutions contributing to economic progress in the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.
Mr. Washeed urged both government and private investors to allocate resources to the northern film industry, which he described as having untapped storylines ready for global audiences. He stressed the importance of investing in creative knowledge, noting the need to bridge the gap between scriptwriting and technical production to ensure the growth of Ghana's film sector.
He also mentioned the significant contributions made by TAFTA's alumni in the creative sector, with many working in mainstream media, establishing production companies, and participating in international programs like the Canon Development Programme. Mr. Washeed conveyed that the Academy is poised for expansion and is seeking strategic partnerships and investments to enhance its production capabilities in alignment with its mission to advance creative education and storytelling from the north.
Established over a decade ago, TAFTA stands as a leading vocational training institution in Tamale, offering hands-on education in film, television, and media production.
