Ghana Films: Focusing on Climate Change and Disability
The Ghana Youth Videography Programme is an intensive educational experience under which youth aged 18-35 produce short documentaries on climate change in Ghana for UN policymakers. This series of grassroots social documentaries made by Ghanaian youth videographers is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC Insight Development Grant).
These films have been created as part of The Youth Climate Report, founded by Dr. Mark Terry. It is an evolving, interactive Geographic Information System map comprised of mini documentaries, reports, metadata, etc., spotlighting climate and environmental issues and solutions to further educate and inform UN policymakers beyond written reports. Dr. Terry and members of the UNFCCC curate the approximately 3-minute films to ensure they meet the criteria of the subject matter, length, etc. The United Nations and its policymakers have found the visual component of the YCR beneficial in grasping a deeper understanding of the issues presented through film and the supporting data stored in the database.
The Leadership Team for the project includes Dr. Jeff Grischow, Dr. Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy, and Dr. Mark Terry, a long-time filmmaker, who ran workshops in which the budding youth filmmakers produced videos for the international platform. Films submitted in 2022 and 2023 were screened to world leaders, delegates, and press at the United Nations COP27 and COP28 Conferences in Egypt and Dubai. Films created by the Ghanaian youth participants in 2022, 2023, and 2024 premiered at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) to a VIP audience of government officials, corporate heads, and NGO leaders.
https://www.ghanafilm.org/
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Click here to view the article featuring the 2022 films
Click on the links below to view the short films below to see how effectively the young filmmakers of today are sharing their message.
Theme – Climate Change
Etornam Ahiator – The Surge (2022)
Etornam Ahiator’s film, ‘The Surge,’ is a powerful and important film that chronicles the impact of climate change in Ketu South along Ghana’s eastern coastline, through vivid stories of local community members.
Patrick Owusu Anakwa – Climate Impact in Anyamam, Ghana (2022)
Patrick Owusu’s film, ‘Climate Impact in Anyamam, Ghana,’ investigates the impact of the changing climate along Ghana’s coast.
Emmanuel Ennin – The Fight Against Poseidon (2022)
Through interviews with local community members, Emmanuel Ennin’s powerful film, ‘The Fight Against Poseidon’ presents the story of climate change and its impact along the southeastern coast of Ghana.
Naj Dramundu – Urban Action Towards Climate Change (2022)
Najilau Dramundu’s ‘Urban Action Towards Climate Change’ tells the important story of the impact of Ghana’s changing climate in the capital city, Accra.
Ofori Ankah Kofi – Green Zongo (2022)
Ofori Ankah Kofi’s ‘Green Zongo’ offers a unique look inside the Nima area of Accra and the efforts of a women’s group to combat climate change through urban market gardening.
Abdul Haqq Mahama – Smart Farmers (2022)
Abdula Haqq Mahama’s film, ‘Smart Farmers,’ chronicles efforts to develop drought-resistant agriculture in Northern Ghana, a savannah region that has been significantly affected by climate change..
Manacy Sarfo Nyamekye – Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels (2022)
Manacy Sarfo Nyamekye’s film on rising sea levels along Ghana’s coast tells a powerful story about the impact of climate change on Ghanaian coastal communities. Two weeks after the film was completed, a prediction about impending disaster came true when the area was flooded. Manacy returned to capture the damage and added the footage to his film.
Jeff Obutey Tawiah – Climate Change In My Community (2022)
Jeff Obutey Tawiah’s film ‘Climate Change In My Community’ presents the story of the impact of climate change on farming in his home community in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Zeinab Teviu – Our Dying Oasis (2022)
Featuring interviews with local experts and farmers, Zeinab Teviu’s ‘Our Dying Oasis’ highlights the challenges posed by climate change for dry season gardening in Northern Ghana.
Gideon Trust – Effects of Climate Change on Rural and Agricultural Areas (2022)
Gideon Trust’s film ‘Effects of Climate Change on Rural and Agricultural Areas’ surveys the impact of climate change on farming in the Kumasi area of Ghana.
Wisdom Wemegah – Climate Change in Rural and Agricultural Areas (2022)
Wisdom Wemegah’s film presents the story of climate change in the Ghana’s Ashanti region and its impact on the farming community.
Miracle Damgare Wisdom – The Impact of Climate Change on Rural and Agricultural Areas (2022)
Miracle Damgare Wisdom’s film tells the story of the impact of climate change on farming activities in Kumasi, Ghana.
Edmund Asssafuah – Entrepreneurs Fighting Climate Change (2022)
Martinson Assafuah Chemel –Chocolate vs Climate Change (2023)
Jewell Eastwind Blessmann- Deforestation for Urbanization (2023)
Gifty Commey – Weija Dam Spillage (2023)
Seth Berempong Ansong – A Proposed Solution (2023)
Sophia Aduko – Impacts of Rising Temperatures and Decreasing Precipitation (2023)
Zakaria Azara – Fading Harvest (2023)
Caroline Domonaa-ngmen Dari – Blind to Limits (2023)
Munira Tahiru – Cry for Change: The Harmful Effects of Bush Fire on Agriculture (2023)
Martinson Assafuah-Chemel – Let There Be Sun (2024-25)
Etornam Ahiator – Tides and Threads (2024-25)
Caroline Domonaa-Ngmen Dari – The Sustainable Spark (2024-25)
Manacy Sarfo and Miracle Damgare Wisdom – Clothes without Borders (2024-25)
Theme: Covid-19 and Disability
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with disabilities worldwide is well known. However, voices from the grassroots have been lacking in Africa and other regions of the global South. The film series COVID Conversations in Ghana offers a platform for persons with disabilities in Africa to share their experiences of the pandemic. The series begins with stories from Ghana’s Eastern Region, recorded by a local videographer on a smartphone shortly after the Ghanaian government lifted its COVID-19 restrictions.
COVID Conversations in Ghana –Agnes Otema
This is the story of Agnes Otema, a dressmaker.
Covid-19 and Disability
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with disabilities worldwide is well known. However, voices from the grassroots have been lacking in Africa and other regions of the global South. The film series COVID Conversations in Ghana offers a platform for persons with disabilities in Africa to share their experiences of the pandemic. The series begins with stories from Ghana’s Eastern Region, recorded by a local videographer on a smartphone shortly after the Ghanaian government lifted its COVID-19 restrictions.
COVID Conversations in Ghana – Emma Asaa
This is the story of Emma, a hairstylist from New Tafo, Akim.
COVID Conversations in Ghana –Samuel Attah
This is the story of Samuel Attah, a painter.
COVID Conversations in Ghana – Charles Owusu
This is the story of Charles Owusu, a retired teacher and farmer.
COVID Conversations in Ghana –Wisdom Ayivi
This is the story of Wisdom Ayivi, a small engine mechanic.
COVID Conversations in Ghana – Kwesi Avume
This is the story of Kwesi Avume, a bicycle repairman.
COVID Conversations in Ghana – Mavis Amoako
This is the story of Mavis Amoako, a shopkeeper.
Michael DeGraft Wireko
Michael DeGraft Wireko was one of the founding members of the Ghanan Society of the Physically Disabled in 1980. He was instrumental in the origins and early activities of the GSPD.
Kojo Mensah Aborampah
Kojo Mensah Aborampah joined the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled in 1980 after being introduced to the organization by Joseph Cobbold. He would go on to become the GSPD’s national treasurer.
Agor Ablor
In April, 1980, Michael deGraft Wireko visited Accra to meet with Samueal Lartey, who had started to organize Ghanaians with physical disabilities at the Accra Rehabilitation Centre. It was here that Mr. Wireko met Agor Ablor and asked him to draft the first constitution of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled.
Regina Antwi
Regina Antwi was recruited to the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled in the early 1980s. She served as the Ashanti Regional Executive Member and played an important role in programming for women with disabilities.
Agarthe Brenya
Agarthe Brenya joined the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled in 1981 after a friend told her about the group. Curious, she arranged to meet Michael deGraft Wireko to discuss the Society’s activities and joined shortly thereafter. She was one of the founders of the GSPD’s Women’s Wing.
Joseph Cobbold
As an early member of the Ghana Society of the Disabled, Joseph Cobbold was an important figure in building the organization and attracting new members.
Abraham Nii Kwatchey
Abraham Nii Kwatchey joined the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled in the early 1980s. He was one of the founders of the GSPD’s Greater Accra branch and co-ordinated a campaign to deliver essential commodities to Ghanaians with physical disabilities. The campaign helped to grow the numbers of the GSPD in the 1980s.
Adjetey Sowah
Adjetey Sowah joined the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after attending one of the GSPD’s regular Saturday meetings in Accra. Not long afterwards, he was appointed Secretary of the GSPD’s Greater Accra regional branch.
Alexander Tetteh
Alexander Tetteh eagerly joined the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled when the GSPD opened a branch in Ashiaman, Greater Accra. He quickly rose to prominence in the Society and shares his personal story in this film.
Kate Tsagli
Kate Tsagli joined the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after learning about the Society from Samuel Lamptey, one of the founders in Kumasi. She was instrumental in developing the Women’s Wing of the GSPD.