Country Director of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Judith Oluwole, has addressed concerns regarding travel issues faced by some delegates attending the 20th edition of the event.
This comes after Ghanaian actress Gloria Sarfo criticized the awards organisers over flight ticket issues that left some Ghanaian filmmakers stranded at Kotoka International Airport.
Sarfo, in a social media video, explained that the tickets provided by the organisers did not allow them to board their flights, affecting over fifteen filmmakers and media practitioners.
Many Ghanaian delegates missed the event and those who attended faced accommodation problems.
In response to the allegations during an interview with Hitz FM, Oluwole clarified that the term “stranded” was an exaggeration and noted that all necessary preparations were made to ensure the smooth arrival of delegates from across Africa.
However, unforeseen technical issues with the airline caused delays for some attendees, including those from Ghana and Uganda.
“An event of this magnitude cannot bring the calibre of artists, including those who are going to perform, that we have paid to perform to the airport at that time and decide or deliberately abandon or embarrass them for whatever reasons being circulated,” she said.
Oluwole explained that to mitigate the situation, AMAA’s CEO personally intervened, arranging alternative flights and communicating directly with affected delegates to assure them of their importance to the event.
She stressed that the delays were beyond the organisation’s control and not a deliberate attempt to embarrass anyone.
“For some reason, which is beyond our knowledge and control, there was an issue.
“These are challenges that you cannot control as an organisation because you don’t have your own airline or personal jet to transport all your people. So we tried as much as possible, even if it was at the last minute, to assist. I mean, all of this looks like someone is trying to gain publicity for themselves out of these situations,” she added.
According to her, despite these challenges, many delegates were able to attend the event.
Oluwole also addressed rumours of fake tickets, urging the media to investigate and provide evidence if such claims were true.
“If we later hear stories about fake tickets, which I know nothing about, I would like the media to investigate if any fake tickets were issued to anyone. Anyone making such claims should come forward with evidence of the tickets that we allegedly gave to ensure they were embarrassed because I don’t even know what we would gain from that embarrassment,” she said.
Oluwole reiterated AMAA’s dedication to celebrating African cinema and its ongoing efforts to ensure the success of its events, despite occasional travel difficulties.
ID/OGB
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