Ghana’s growing film industry which has been named “Ghallywood” is struggling to find its place in the theatres. Photo:Courtesy/ GHANA CONCIOUS |
By FRANCIS KOKUTSE in AccraPosted Sunday, June 26 2011 at 18:26
Ghana’s growing film industry which has been named “Ghallywood” is struggling to find its place in the theatres. The industry has been censured by the government and a cross section of the public for not promoting the country’s culture and for churning out pornography.
However, spokesperson for the producers, Socrates Safo, has dismissed these criticisms saying they are borne out of clear misunderstanding of the industry.
“Times have changed and those who criticise us have refused to understand that the film industry across Africa used to be owned by governments to promote propaganda,” Mr Safo told Africa Review.
The old Ghana Films Industry Corporation (GFIC) was owned by the government and things were done differently. “But within the past decade, private film producers have found new ways of marketing their products and so, it is not fair that we should be condemned for what we are doing,” he added.
The old Ghana Films Industry Corporation (GFIC) was owned by the government and things were done differently. “But within the past decade, private film producers have found new ways of marketing their products and so, it is not fair that we should be condemned for what we are doing,” he added.
“If I spend my money to produce a film, the government has no business to tell me what to do,” Mr Safo said.
He went on to highlight that there are no laws in place to guide the industry and as a result, private producers are investing in what the audience wants to see.
“We should not be expected to promote the country’s culture if that is not what the public wants to see.”
On the screens
The film industry in Ghana has to contend with products from neighbouring Nigeria which has also been aptly named, Nollywood. It has been argued in some quarters that Nigerian films are better produced than Ghanaian ones. An assertion that Mr Safo was quick to dismiss when he said the market in Nigeria is huge while Ghana’s film industry is still facing several challenges.
“Our television stations seem to be screening more Nigerian films because they simply buy them from the streets.”
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