Rebecca Ohene-Asah [Filmmaker / University of Ghana]: Audio-Visual Archiving Dynamics in Ghana

Abstract

Ghana’s historical audio-visual archives are largely inaccessible. As such, there is a disconnect between current cultural productions and what already exist. On the national level, archived films are mostly stored in sub-standard deplorable conditions, thus most have deteriorated. Where materials are in relatively good conditions, they are mostly found in foreign archives where they are trapped in outdated formats. In the absence of a national archival policy, individual audio- visual cultural producers employ unsustainable methods to safeguard their creative work. This presentation focuses on the audio-visual storage and archival practices of the country Ghana, the relationship with current cinema production, and the implication for Ghana’s cinematic heritage.

About the Speaker

Rebecca Ohene-Asah (Ph.D.) is a Lecturer in Documentary Film Studies and Production at the National Film and Television Institute-Accra. Her current research centres on the safeguarding and development of indigenous cinema archives in Ghana. Her most recent publication is Documenting Africa on Film and Nkrumah’s Legacy in Pan-Africanist Africa.