The 9th annual Environmental Film Festival of Accra started from 28 June – 05 June 2013 with exciting new films from around the world, discussions on the state of the Environment in Ghana and “Cinema for all,” the popular open air screening at Kwame Nkrumah Circle. The festival is held at venues throughout Accra. The launch will took place on Friday 28 June at 6:30 PM at the KAMA Conference Centre, Accra. It featured messages from key sponsors and supporters, a preview of films and a special recycled clothes show by Trashy Bags. The special guest is Hon. Joseph Oteng-Adjei, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

EFFA 2013 is dedicated to raising awareness about the significant relationship between Ghana’s environment and the high cost of public health, recognizing the essential environmental conditions that can guarantee adequate health of populations and the physical health of individuals.

FESTIVAL LAUNCH The 9th edition of the festival was launched by Professor Chris Gordon, Head of the Institute of Environmental and Sanitation Studies (IESS) – University of Ghana, Legon. The capacity audience at the event included members of government and the diplomatic corps, the media, prominent environmentalists and school children. The distinguished audience was welcomed by Mr. Gerard Osei Boakye an Environmentalist and Presenter of the launch. It featured messages from key sponsors and supporters, a preview of films and a special recycled clothes show by Trashy Bags. EFFA 2013 was dedicated to raising awareness about the significant relationship between Ghana’s environment and the high cost of public health, recognizing the essential environmental conditions that can guarantee adequate health of populations and the physical health of individuals. Ms. Susan Ulrich, Charge d’Affairs and Consul, Australian High Commission to Ghana delivering her message at the launch The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Ebenezer Ampah-Sampong, Director, Environmental Protection Agency, representing the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation key supporters of EFFA. This was followed by Professor Chris Gordon, Head of the Institute of Environmental and Sanitation Studies – University of Ghana Legon who delivered a message on the State of the Environment. Other messages came from Ms. Theo Sowa, (CBE) Executive Director, African Women’s Development Fund, Ms. Susan Ulrich, Charge d’Affairs and Consul, Australian High Commission to Ghana, Mr. Delsol Herve, European Commission, Mr. Marc Kok, Managing Director of Wienco Ghana Limited. At the launch, all sponsors and supporters, participating schools and young film makers were presented with the festival plaque. Members of the Young Film Makers workshop also received hampers and certificates of participation from EFFA. Hampers includes tokens from various sponsors including the Australian High Commission, Canadian High Commission and Trashy Bags. Festival brochures and programme flyers were distributed. This year, EFFA started a new partnership with the Institute of Environmental and Sanitation Studies of the University of Ghana, Legon headed by Professor Chris Gordon. The collaboration will extend into the areas such as sharing of technical information and research, production of communication outputs as well as utilising EFFA's public platforms to popularise critical academic findings. The Institute played a key role in the State of the environment Forum.