Ghanaian actress and filmmaker Juliet Ibrahim has dismissed claims that the country’s movie industry is dead, insisting that while production may have slowed in recent years, the sector is far from extinct.
Speaking in an interview with Giovani Caleb on Showbiz 360, monitored by entertainment journalist Joseph Owusu Worae, the award-winning actress addressed growing concerns about the perceived decline in mainstream Ghanaian film production.
When asked why the industry appears “almost non-existent” to some observers and why filmmakers are not working collectively on major projects, Juliet offered a candid assessment.
“I think we just went on a very long break of being very productive,” she explained. “People are still filming. People are still working here. But when it comes to films and filmmaking, it’s very dicey — especially in a country where the numbers are not really there.”
Cinema Infrastructure and Audience Numbers
Juliet pointed to structural challenges, particularly limited cinema infrastructure and audience turnout, as key obstacles.
“We could come together and film one major movie, but the question is: how many cinemas do we have? How many people are going to come out to watch?” she questioned.
She further highlighted changing viewing habits, noting that many Ghanaians may prefer watching telenovelas at home during primetime rather than going to the cinema.
“Even how many people can afford a cinema ticket?” she asked, urging stakeholders to consider the broader economic realities.
Population Advantage
Drawing comparisons with Nigeria’s film industry, Juliet emphasized the advantage of population size.
“Even with Nigeria, they have a massive population. So even if a producer makes a film and out of over 200 million people, just 10 million watch it, it’s okay for the producer,” she explained.
In contrast, she noted that Ghana’s smaller population and limited cinema presence make it harder for producers to recoup investments.
“If you come to Ghana, for instance, maybe in Accra where we have about six cinemas — that’s not much. Even if the film stays in the cinemas for one week…” she trailed off, implying the financial limitations filmmakers face.
Industry Not Dead, But Challenged
Despite the challenges, Juliet maintained that the Ghana movie industry is not dead but simply navigating structural and economic hurdles.
Her comments add to the ongoing conversation about revitalizing Ghana’s film sector, with many creatives calling for stronger collaboration, increased investment, and expanded exhibition platforms to boost growth.
For Juliet Ibrahim, the issue is not a lack of talent or creativity, but systems, numbers, and sustainability.
By Joseph Owusu Worae
