By GhanaNewsPage 
The founder of the Ghana Movie Awards, Fred Nuamah, has addressed the widespread backlash over the decision to present winners with a locally designed fan, known as ‘papa’, as an award plaque during the recently held event.
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In an exclusive interview on Joy FM’s ‘Showbiz A-Z’ with Kwame Dadzie, Nuamah sought to clarify the controversy, explaining that two separate awards ceremonies were held on the same night at the same venue—the Ghana Movie Awards and the Ghana TV Series Awards.
According to him, the ‘papa’ plaques were not awarded to winners of the prestigious Ghana Movie Awards, which is traditionally known for its golden statuettes, but rather to recipients of the Ghana TV Series Awards.
Clarification: Why the ‘Papa’ Plaques Were Used
Mr. Fred Nuamah emphasized that the Ghana TV Series Awards was designed with a local and culturally significant theme, and the decision to use the ‘papa’ as an award symbol was made to celebrate Ghanaian heritage.
“The Ghana TV Series Awards intentionally adopted a more local and culturally significant theme, which is why the ‘papa’ was used as the award plaque,” he explained.
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He further noted that the Ghana Movie Awards itself maintained its tradition of presenting golden plaques to winners, reassuring the public that the event has not compromised its standards.
Addressing the Backlash: Future Changes in Award Design
Despite his clarification, Fred Nuamah acknowledged the criticisms, stating that the reaction from industry players and the public has been taken into account.
“Following the backlash, we have decided to reassess our choice of award design for future editions to avoid further misunderstandings,” he stated.
This suggests that while the intent was to promote Ghanaian culture, the organizing team may explore alternative designs that better align with audience expectations while still celebrating local traditions.
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A Grand Return: Ghana Movie Awards 2025
The 2025 Ghana Movie Awards marked a highly anticipated comeback after several years of hiatus. The star-studded event was held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), bringing together top filmmakers, actors, and industry stakeholders to celebrate excellence in Ghana’s film industry.
The ceremony showcased outstanding achievements in filmmaking, from best actors and directors to technical categories, reinforcing its position as one of the most prestigious film industry events in Ghana.
Final Thoughts: Balancing Cultural Identity and Global Standards
The ‘papa’ award controversy has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between cultural representation and industry expectations in Ghana’s entertainment scene. While some applaud the effort to incorporate local elements, others believe that globally recognized awards should maintain an internationally competitive standard.
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With Fred Nuamah’s promise to reassess the award design, fans and industry players will be keenly watching how future editions of both the Ghana Movie Awards and the Ghana TV Series Awards evolve.
