Juliet Asante Breaks Silence After NFA Exit — “Freedom Has Come!”

Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, the former Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority of Ghana, has finally opened up following her exit, and her words tell a story of vision, sacrifice, and an unrelenting fight for Ghana’s film industry.

In an emotional and reflective write-up, Juliet shared the struggles she faced when she took up the role in November 2020. 

“With a paper in hand but no office or money, I set out to recruit staff. With two staff members, we started the work. I took time to draft a strategy paper. But it became very clear very quickly that no one was interested and that this was going to be a very very long road,” she wrote.

Her vision for the industry was clear but the resources were almost non-existent.

 “In the first year, we were given one thousand Ghana cedis, approximately one hundred dollars, for the entire year. In the second year, ten thousand Ghana cedis, about one thousand dollars at the time. Neither me nor my staff received pay for two years,” she revealed. 

Without an office, the team worked from their homes, personally covering operational costs like utilities, transportation, and even event expenses.

Juliet also did not hold back on the hostility she endured.

 “The attacks were non stop, online and offline… Gush, there was a day I was attacked for five hours by a thirteen member board and screamed at to keep quiet when I tried to explain the situation,” she recalled.

Yet through all of this, she pushed forward with groundbreaking initiatives like the widely celebrated COVID-19 video and the Pitch Series, which gave Ghanaian filmmakers a global platform. Even then, support was minimal.

 “Everything you have seen online was edited on my personal machine,” she revealed, showing just how much she invested in keeping the NFA’s vision alive.

Following the announcement of actress and producer Kafui Danku as her successor, Juliet gracefully extended her congratulations.

 “Congratulations madam. I wish you all the success,” she wrote,

 while also calling for better support for the incoming executive.

 “Please get Kafui an office and a car so she can work properly and not have to carry out government work from her living room like I had to do.”

As she steps away, Juliet leaves with her head held high. 

“If there is any regret, it is that I could not finish the work,” she admitted. 

But more than anything, her departure brings a sense of liberation. 

“Freedom has come,” she declared 

a powerful end to a journey defined by vision, courage, and an unwavering commitment to Ghana’s film industry.