Ghanaian actress Gloria Sarfo recently voiced her frustration with the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) organisers over flight challenges faced by some Ghanaian filmmakers travelling to Nigeria for the 2024 AMAAs.
The AMAA Flight Issue That Sparked a Public Apology to Gloria Sarfo
The incident left many stranded at Kotoka International Airport, and in response, AMAA’s Country Director in Ghana, Judith Oluwole Kuwornu, publicly apologised to Gloria Sarfo for the mishap.
Judith expressed her regret about the situation, though she also shared her views on how it unfolded.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened, Judith’s response, and why this incident stirred so much public attention.
Gloria Sarfo’s Frustration Over Flight Challenges
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, Gloria Sarfo took to social media to share her displeasure with AMAA’s flight arrangements. In a 15-minute video, Gloria explained how she and several other Ghanaian filmmakers had received tickets from the AMAA organisers for an “all-expenses-paid” trip.
However, when they arrived at the airport, they found out that their tickets were invalid. This meant they couldn’t board the flight to Nigeria, where the AMAAs were taking place in Lagos.
In the video, Gloria Sarfo expressed her disappointment, saying she missed multiple engagements due to the incident.
You can’t tell me that you’re giving me an all-expenses-paid trip and then leave me stranded at the airport.
Gloria also noted that there was no clear communication from AMAA on what to do next, leaving her and others feeling disrespected and embarrassed.
Judith Kuwornu’s Apology to Gloria Sarfo
Following Gloria Sarfo’s video, Judith Oluwole Kuwornu, AMAA’s Country Director in Ghana, addressed the situation publicly. She confirmed that the incident was unfortunate and said she had sent a message of apology to Gloria. Judith explained that she was also saddened by the situation but noted that everyone has a different way of handling disappointments.
“I sent her a message of apology, but she kept on going public with this,” Judith told Andy Dosty in an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz.
Judith acknowledged that the issue could have been handled privately and expressed regret that it became a public matter.
While Judith apologised to Gloria Sarfo, she also shared her perspective, saying, “It’s a shame that someone close to me didn’t think to call and ask what happened. Instead, I saw her going all over the place online. But, sometimes, bad news also brings attention.”
Support from Veteran Filmmakers Despite the Issue
Judith also mentioned that not everyone affected by the situation reacted as publicly as Gloria Sarfo did. She shared that several respected figures in the Ghanaian film industry reached out to her with understanding.
According to Judith, some of these veterans told her not to worry about the situation, as they knew she had been organising trips with AMAA for over 20 years without such issues.
“There were so many veterans who called and said, ‘Judith, we understand this, so don’t worry. If we can make it, we will, and if not, it’s okay,’” she added.
Judith expressed her gratitude for their patience and support, especially during such a challenging moment.
Challenges Organising Flights for Large Groups
Judith explained that coordinating flights for a large group isn’t easy, and unexpected challenges can arise. She admitted that having control over flights can be challenging because AMAA doesn’t operate a private airline. Therefore, any last-minute changes from the airline or ticketing issues can disrupt plans unexpectedly.
In her interview, Judith mentioned that AMAA would release an official statement addressing the specific cause of the flight issue. However, she stressed that they did their best with the resources they had, even though things did not go as planned.
Background on Gloria Sarfo’s Video and the Events Leading Up to the AMAAs
On November 1, 2024, approximately 40 Ghanaian filmmakers, including well-known names like Abdul Salam Mumuni, Frank Rajah, Pascal Amanfo, and Akorfa Adjeani, were scheduled to fly to Lagos for the AMAA ceremony.
The filmmakers had been promised a fully sponsored trip by AMAA, including flight tickets and an itinerary. But, to their dismay, only 14 out of about 40 people managed to travel due to the ticketing issues.
In her video, Gloria Sarfo listed all the events she missed because of the ordeal, including a film set, a short film, and an awards night where she was nominated. She expressed deep disappointment, saying the situation was unfair and embarrassing.
Successes and Achievements at the 2024 AMAAs
Despite the travel issues, Ghanaian talent still shone brightly at the 2024 AMAAs. Actress Jackie Appiah won the Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Red Carpet, while Harry Bentil received the Best Debut Feature Film by a Director award for Letters to Goddo.
These wins showed Ghana’s creative excellence and the resilience of Ghanaian filmmakers, even when faced with obstacles.
Conclusion: Lessons from the AMAA Flight Incident
The situation involving Gloria Sarfo and the AMAA organisers highlighted some of the challenges that come with large events and international travel logistics. Judith Oluwole Kuwornu’s apology to Gloria Sarfo reflects an effort to acknowledge the issue, and she expressed her hopes to prevent similar problems in the future.
While this incident may have caused disappointment, it also brought awareness to the logistical difficulties faced in organising such events.
Gloria Sarfo’s video and Judith’s response have reminded us of the importance of clear communication and understanding, especially in challenging situations. Despite this setback, the recognition of Ghanaian talent at the AMAAs stands as a positive reminder of the bright future of Ghanaian cinema.
