Accra, May 26, GNA - Mr Baba Jamal, Deputy Minister of Information has said that government was in the process of passing a film bill that would facilitate the management and control of the film and television industry.

He said when the bill was passed into law it would help curb all excesses in the industry and protect the interest of the local industry. Mr Jamal made this known at a meeting with stakeholders in the film and television industry in Accra on Thursday.

He said the meeting aimed at seeking the interest of stakeholders and discuss the way forward.

He said the industry needed a strong system in place to strengthen its activities.

Mr Jamal said movies were powerful tools that influenced and created impact on the lives of people, adding that the current trend of Ghanaian movies was nothing to write home about.

"We are gradually loosing our culture and identity as Ghanaians because of the negative ways in which we portray our self in our movies. It is time we know what we want to achieve in producing movies."

Mr Jamal noted that it was time to change the tendency and make people understand that films were meant to inculcate good morals and culture into the people, and make sure they capture the basic essence of production.

He said producing mind bugling problem solving movies would help change the trend and promote sanity in the industry.

Mr Jamal urged the stakeholders to be united and forge hard to maintain their dignity and restore order and sanity into the industry.

Mr Richard Quartey, Vice President, Film Producers Association expressed gratitude to the Minister for the opportunity, saying the industry was very grateful for government support but would need other interventions to keep it strong.

He said the Association would do all in its position to ensure that the movie industry maintained its credibility.