Nigerian veteran actor Pete Edochie has praised the talent of Ghanaian actors while expressing concern about the sharp decline in films coming out of the country compared with previous years.
The celebrated actor, who has long been familiar with Ghana’s film industry, said he still considers Ghanaian performers to be exceptionally talented but questioned why the country no longer appears to be producing films at the pace it once did.
“Ghanaian actors, generally, are very, very good. Exceptionally good. But, I don’t find more films from Ghana as it was previously, and I don’t know what the problem is,” he said.
Pete Edochie noted that there was a time when Ghana produced a steady stream of films and featured several performers who became familiar faces across Africa.
He said the disappearance of some of those actors from the screen, coupled with the reduced visibility of Ghanaian films, was something worth examining.
His comments came during a conversation about the challenges facing Ghana’s film industry, where several possible factors were raised, including limited government support, industry-related difficulties and concerns about developing and retaining talent.
For Pete Edochie, however, reviving the sector will require more than identifying the problems. He believes Ghana needs a more coordinated approach that brings government, industry players and investors together around the development of the film business.
He argued that the industry must reconnect with the passion that originally drove filmmakers and actors while also creating an environment where talent can be developed and given opportunities to thrive.
Pete Edochie also called for stronger systems within the industry and urged stakeholders to pay attention to how the global film and cinema business is evolving so Ghana can keep pace and compete more effectively.
Beyond government, he believes Ghana has enough financially capable individuals who could invest in the sector if the right appeal is made to them.
The actor was particularly hopeful about President John Dramani Mahama’s willingness to support the industry, saying he has confidence in the President and believes a direct appeal could produce a positive response.
Pete Edochie suggested that filmmakers could approach the President with specific funding proposals, produce films with the support provided and work within an agreed period to demonstrate what the investment could achieve.
“Support us, sir. Challenge us with this amount of money. Let’s go and shoot films. Give us so-and-so time, we shall return the money,” he said.
He pointed to President Mahama’s engagement with members of the African diaspora as one of the reasons he believes the President could also respond positively to a direct appeal from the film industry.
Pete Edochie ultimately used the platform to make his own appeal to the President, urging him not to allow Ghana’s film industry to decline further.
“Your Excellency, sir, don’t let our industry die in Ghana,” he said, expressing his confidence that Mahama would be willing to listen if the industry made a clear case for support.
For the veteran actor, Ghana’s challenge is therefore not a shortage of talent. The bigger question is how to create the investment, structure and opportunities needed to put that talent back on screen and restore Ghanaian cinema to the prominence it once enjoyed.
