The Institute of Film and Television (IFT), formerly known as NAFTI, has appointed its first acting female rector in 45 years.
Dr. Ramatu Mustapha Dadzie was appointed by the UniMAC council to replace Dr. Samuel Anyetei Nai, who has been at the helm of affairs since 2017.
Until her appointment, Dr. Ramatu Dadzie was the Dean and Director of Academics at the IFT, which is part of the University of Media Arts and Communication.
She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology, an M.A. in Communication Studies, all from the University of Ghana, and an M.A. in Animation from the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
She also holds a PGDip in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education as well as a professional diploma in animation and graphic design from the National Film and Television Institute, Accra.
Dr. Dadzie has provided many services to the Institute as either a chairman or member of a committee, with her research interests in film, television, media and society, communication, and culture.
Announcing her appointment at a staff durbar, the Vice Chancellor of UniMAC, Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, said the appointment was in the best interest of the IFT.
He entreated the staff of the institute to give her their full cooperation.
“Irrespective of where you stand on this, the decision has been made with the best interest of the Institute of Film and Television and the university in mind. In the point of view of council, we believe that we have done the best under the circumstances to help the institute hold the fort, move forward, and survive. And so we pray that you will give her all the support that you can and she needs”, he said.
On her part, Dr. Dadzie said her appointment is an achievement for all staff of the IFT, particularly women.
“It means that there is hope for progress and it also means that a precedent has been set, which means that people or staff in NAFTI(IFT) could rise through the ranks. It has never happened before, so this means progress”, she said.
Dr. Dadzie said her immediate priority is to get the teaching staff to increase research and dissemination of knowledge to make the IFT more competitive.
“My priority will be to encourage publication. That will be my first priority, to grow the staff.
For over forty years of NAFTI(IFT) we have focused on students, and I think that our students are capable enough. We have developed a robust curricular so we will set it in motion and focus on the development of staff, particularly publishing articles and books”.
Some staff of the IFT are elated about the appointment of Dr. Ramatu Mustapha Dadzie as acting rector.
The council of UniMAC has also confirmed the appointment the Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah as Rector of the Institute of Journalism, Dr. Sika Akoto as Registrar of UniMAC and Francis Obeng as Director of Finance of UniMAC.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
