Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, the outgoing Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA), has shared the numerous challenges she faced during her tenure.
In a Facebook post on March 2, 2025, she revealed that she had to personally finance the Authority in its early days, even using her own home as an office. She recalled struggling with a lack of government funding, receiving just GHC 1,000 (around $100) in her first year and GHC 10,000 (around $1,000) in the second year. Additionally, she and her staff went unpaid for two years.
Asante also spoke about conflicts with the NFA board, stating that she faced hostility from the beginning, with board members openly opposing her appointment. Despite these struggles, she remained committed to her role, overseeing projects like the Pitch Series and the viral Covid-19 motivational video.
She recounted moments of emotional distress, including being publicly criticized, insulted in online forums, and even facing inappropriate behavior from male colleagues. She expressed her hope that future female leaders would not have to endure similar treatment.
Looking ahead, Asante says she is ready to move on, urging authorities to provide better working conditions for her successor, Kafui Danku. She also emphasized the need for respect and fair treatment in leadership transitions.
