Why it matters:
Organizers say the festival serves as a platform for Israeli propaganda amid ongoing violence in Gaza. They warn that failure to cancel the event could trigger widespread boycotts of Silverbird and its sponsors.
Driving the news:
The campaign, backed by prominent Ghanaians including journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr, former CHRAJ Commissioner Emile Short, filmmaker Nii Kwate Owoo, and academic Audrey Gadzekpo, accuses the festival of attempting to “whitewash” Israeli genocide policies.
Public figures such as Yao Graham, Kwarne Karikari, and youth activist Hardi Yakubu have also joined the protest.
By the numbers:
Organizers cite reports that over 200,000 Palestinians have died due to Israeli military actions, starvation, and blockades.
The coalition argues that hosting the festival during such a crisis amounts to complicity in human rights violations.
What they’re saying:
“Ghana has always stood with liberation struggles across the world. Today, as Palestinians face ethnic cleansing and genocide, we must not remain silent,” the coalition said in a statement.
What’s next:
Protesters are urging Ghanaians to boycott festival sponsors, join peaceful pickets at the cinema, and amplify pro-Palestinian messaging across media and community platforms.
Supporting groups include BDS Ghana, Red Vests Movement, Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG), and South Africa’s Free Palestine Movement.
The bottom line:
With mounting public pressure and high-profile endorsements, the campaign could evolve into one of Ghana’s most visible solidarity movements in recent years.
Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
