As part of the African Women in Film Forum, The Witches of Gambaga and On the Border will be screened for FREE at Alliance Francaise (Accra) on Monday, 23rd September from 6pm.

I first saw ‘The Witches of Gambaga‘ at its premiere during the 3rd African Feminist Forum in Dakar, Senegal. I then watched the documentary again during it’s premiere in Ghana, and at the 2011 FESPACO (Pan African Film and Television Festival) where it won 2nd prize in the Best Documentary category. Each time the film has had a profound effect on me. It’s mind boggling to think that in this day and age women (and a few men) can be accused of witchcraft, and have to seek refuge for their lives in camps under the benevolence of a chief. Because of my work with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), which also supported The Witches of Gambaga at its post production stage, I have had the opportunity to visit Gambaga as part of our monitoring visits to the women’s rights organisations AWDF supports. Life at the Gambaga camp is tough. When you watch the documentary you will realise that women with homes, businesses and an independent life of their own have had to flee to these camps because they have been accused of witchcraft. In the camps they have to work for long hours on the farms of the chief under whose benevolence they live. It’s a difficult life, and one from which there appears to be little way out. This is a film that I recommend everyone to see.

I am also really looking forward to watching ‘On the Borders’ directed by Tsitsi Dangarembga. Internationally, Tsitsi is arguably best known for her 1989 novel “Nervous Conditions” which was recently named as one of the Best Twelve African Books of the 20th Century. What people may not know is the pivotal role that Tsitsi has played in developing Zimbabwe’s film industry. A description of ‘On the Border’ states:

The world is horrified at the devastation caused by anti-personnel mines in many countries. At the same time while many things have been reported about Zimbabwe recently, few people know about the the legacy of minefields that were planted by the colonial Rhodesian troops in the late 1970s – except of course the people who live in or adjacent to this minefields. Also less well known are the efforts being made to rid Zimbabwe of this menace. This film portraits the work of Zimbabweans and men of other nationalities who enter the minefields to open up land and make Zimbabwe’s border safer. Yet it could well be true that in Zimbabwe, as in other countries where anti personnel mines were used in warfare, the last victim has not yet been born.

The best part of the screening is that the general public will have the opportunity to interact with the filmmakers Tsitsi and Yaba during the question and answer session facilitated by Anita Erskine of Brand Woman Africa, one of the sponsors of the AWIFF. This will be an opportunity to watch thought provoking films, and to learn more about the filmmakers who made these films.

Will I see you there?

Nana Darkoa