Film producer, Socrate Safo rejects Ghana Movie awards honour, says the scheme lacks credibility

Renowned film producer, Socrate Safo, has rejected a meritorious award by the Ghana Movie Awards, for his contribution and achievements in the film industry, citing a lack of credibility in the scheme.

Socrate, who has produced several award-winning films, expressed his disappointment with the awards scheme, stating that it has lost its integrity and relevance in the Ghanaian film industry.

As such, accepting the meritorious award will be an indictment to his reputation in the film industry.

Socrate didn’t attend the awards ceremony which took place on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre, but fumed when he found out his name was mentioned as an honoree. 

“I didn't work tirelessly to build my reputation just to have it tainted by an awards scheme that lacks credibility. 

“I demand excellence, and I expect any recognition of my work to come from a credible and trustworthy organisation,” he said. 

Socrates Safo is prominent figure in the Ghanaian Film Industry and has been in the business since 1988, with over 100 movies under his belt. 

He's also held important positions, such as Director for Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture and Chairman of the Film Classification Committee, a founding member of Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) and the Audio Visual Rights Society of Ghana (ARSOG).

Other notable recipients of the Ghana Movie Awards included veteran actors Mickey Osei Berko, David Dontoh, and Augustina Abbey, as well as Abdulsalam Mumuni and Grace Omaboe, among several other distinguished industry professionals.