Nearly 400 individuals and civil society organisations in Ghana are calling for the cancellation of an Israeli Film Festival scheduled to take place this week at the Accra Mall.
The event, set to run from 16 to 20 September at Silverbird Cinema, has sparked growing criticism from a broad coalition of activists, artists, academics, and advocacy groups who argue that it promotes what they describe as Israeli "propaganda" amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“Inconsistent with Ghana’s values”
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the coalition described the festival as an attempt to “whitewash genocide and apartheid,” accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza.
“We cannot stand by while the genocide of Palestinians is laundered through art and culture,” the statement read. “Ghana has always stood on the side of the oppressed. Today we must stand with Palestine.”
The group says the festival is at odds with Ghana’s long-standing legacy of anti-colonial struggle and solidarity with global liberation movements.
They allege that Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of more than 200,000 Palestinians — approximately 10% of Gaza’s population — through airstrikes, sniper fire, and blockades.
Prominent Ghanaians join protest
The campaign has drawn support from several high-profile figures in Ghana, including veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr., former Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) head Emile Short, filmmaker Nii Kwate Owoo, media academic Audrey Gadzekpo, and labour leader Kwasi Adu-Amankwah.
Other signatories include Pan-Africanist Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, scholar Dzodzi Tsikata, activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, and musician Wanlov the Kubolor.
Sponsors and public university criticised
The coalition is also targeting sponsors and partners associated with the event, such as Kempinski Hotel, Rolider, SAF STL Amandi Foundation, Sienna Services, and EON.
Particular concern has been raised about the involvement of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMac), a publicly funded institution.
“Its support for this festival is a terrible abuse of public trust,” the statement said.
Threat of boycott and protests planned
The coalition has threatened boycotts of the cinema and associated sponsors unless the festival is cancelled. Peaceful picketing is expected to take place at Silverbird Cinema throughout the duration of the event.
“We demand Silverbird cancel this festival immediately and pledge never again to platform perpetrators of apartheid and genocide,” the coalition said.
Widespread support
The protest is backed by a diverse range of organisations, including Ghanaians Against Genocide, the Economic Fighters League, the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party, Feminist activists, LGBT+ Rights Ghana, the Rastafari Council, and the Ghana branch of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.
With international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza intensifying, organisers say Ghana must not be seen as endorsing what they call “a racist, apartheid and genocidal regime”.
