Independence Day celebrations in Ghana, including ceremonies and pageants and the opening of the Ghana Parliament by the Duchess of Kent. The commentary makes a strong plea for racial tolerance, as well as mentioning the possibility of united all-black African continent.
It tells the story of a boy Kumasenu who moves to the city of Accra from a small fishing village, encouraged by his cousin Agboh's exaggerated tales of the wonders of city life. Hungry, he steals bread and is caught by police, but is rescued by a doctor and his wife who find him work. Agboh attempts to get Kumasenu to rob the doctor, but Kumasenu foils his cousin's plans.
Mr. Mensah entrusts the building of his house to his irresponsible nephew, who wastes all the money and materials. The situation is retrieved when Mr Mensah takes part in a government scheme that provides locals with free building materials for their houses
'An instructional film made on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare, demonstrating a new technique to teach English to illiterate adult audiences in the Gold Coast. (..) This is a film with an almost entirely African cast, depicting an African teacher instructing a group of African students, produced by a predominantly African crew. Yet, the subject of the film – encouraging the widespread teaching of English – jars with this image of a modern Gold Coast. Just as the Gold Coast Film Unit was overseen by British figures – such as Sean Graham and, in this case, George Noble – this film also endorses the retention of British influence within a new national identity'. - Tom Rice, for colonialfilm.org
A Berlinale FIPRESCI Special Mentioned short musical documentary.
