Popular Ghanaian actress Gloria Sarfo has spoken out strongly against the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) organisers after what she describes as a “disrespectful and embarrassing” travel experience.
Gloria Sarfo Blasts AMAA for Travel Woes at the 2024 Awards
In a video shared on social media, Gloria voiced her frustration with AMAA after Ghanaian filmmakers faced serious challenges with their flight tickets for the 20th annual awards ceremony, held on November 2, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Her passionate message, in which Gloria Sarfo blasts AMAA, has sparked conversations across social media.
A Promised Trip Turns into Disappointment
Gloria Sarfo explained that the AMAA organisers had invited Ghanaian filmmakers to the event with promises of an all-expenses-paid trip. This invitation supposedly covered flight tickets, travel arrangements, and accommodation.
However, when the filmmakers arrived at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, they discovered that the tickets provided didn’t even allow them to board the flight.
Gloria, along with over fifteen other Ghanaian filmmakers and media personalities like Abdul Salam Mumuni, Frank Rajah, Pascal Amanfo, and Akorfa Adjeani, found themselves stranded.
Sharing her frustration, Gloria Sarfo said, “You can’t tell me that you’re giving me an all-expenses-paid trip and then leave me stranded at the airport. It doesn’t work that way.”
Her anger reflects the deep disappointment felt by many of the filmmakers who, like Gloria, had professional commitments they had to miss due to this ordeal.
Missed Opportunities and Lost Commitments
In her video, Gloria expressed how these unfulfilled promises impacted her career. Due to the flight ticket debacle, Gloria missed several important engagements.
“I had a lot of work to do,” she explained. She missed out on a movie set, a short film shoot, an awards event where she was nominated, and even a premiere for her own movie.
She highlighted how her time and opportunities were lost, stressing that the situation could have been handled better by the AMAA organisers.
This incident left many feeling that their time and effort were disrespected. By sharing her story, Gloria Sarfo blasts AMAA for not ensuring reliable arrangements, making her disappointment clear to all who follow the Ghanaian film industry.
Lack of Communication from AMAA
Another key issue for Gloria and her colleagues was the lack of clear communication from AMAA. She explained that after they realised their tickets were not valid, there was no follow-up from the organisers to offer any explanation or alternative travel solutions.
“It was embarrassing,” she said, reflecting the feeling of abandonment many of the filmmakers experienced. The silence from AMAA made a challenging situation even more frustrating for Gloria and her fellow travellers.
Her concerns highlight how important transparent communication is for maintaining trust, especially during international events where guests depend on reliable arrangements.
The AMAA organisers’ failure to communicate left the Ghanaian filmmakers feeling let down and disrespected.
Accommodation Issues for Those Who Made It
Reports indicate that the challenges did not end at the airport. Even for the few Ghanaian filmmakers who eventually made it to Lagos, issues reportedly continued with accommodation.
Those who travelled had expected well-organised lodging arrangements, but apparently, the AMAA organisers struggled to meet these expectations. For an event of this calibre, such logistical oversights raise questions about planning and preparedness.
Gloria Sarfo’s video, where she openly blasts AMAA, has prompted many in the industry to reconsider how such events should be handled in the future to avoid similar incidents.
Waiting for an AMAA Response
As of now, AMAA organisers have not yet issued a public response to Gloria’s complaints or to the concerns raised by the other affected filmmakers.
Many followers of the incident are awaiting an explanation or apology from AMAA, especially given the significance of this being the 20th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony.
It remains to be seen whether AMAA will address the situation directly or take steps to improve travel arrangements for future events.
The Importance of Reliable Planning in Film Events
This incident is a reminder of how vital reliable planning and communication are in hosting a successful international event.
For filmmakers like Gloria Sarfo, who work tirelessly to promote African cinema, such setbacks can have a serious impact on both their careers and public trust in these award ceremonies.
By sharing her experience, Gloria Sarfo blasts AMAA not just for herself but also for all filmmakers who invest their time and energy in attending and supporting events that showcase African talent.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
The AMAA flight ticket debacle has made it clear that change is needed in how award events are managed, especially regarding the commitments made to invited guests.
Gloria Sarfo’s public criticism sheds light on the need for event organisers to prioritise transparency, reliability, and respect. Filmmakers and artists deserve fair treatment, especially when they’re contributing to the success of a highly celebrated event like AMAA.
As followers wait for a response from AMAA, many hope this incident will lead to positive changes for future awards.
