There’s lack of support from Ghanaians for our movie industry – James Gardiner

Ghanaian actor and Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA), James Gardiner has shared that there’s lack of support from Ghanaians for the movie industry.

Gardiner noted that high value has been placed on foreign content over local movies, making it difficult for Ghanaian movies to be appreciated by local consumers.

Speaking on TV3’s The Afternoon Show, Thursday, June 5, 2025, he said support in the form of streaming, watching and patronizing Ghanaian movies has not been maximum, contributing to the decline of the industry.

Citing concerns about the quality of movies produced in Ghana, James Gardiner referenced a number of instances where quality movies have been produced yet patronage was low.

“In Ghana because we don’t have the numbers, the problem with support is everywhere, I get it but ratio wise, Ghanaians don’t really like to support, I say this in every interview I do.

“We’ve placed so much in foreign value and when I say foreign, I’m not even talking about America or Canada, it could be just outside of Ghana. We belittle our very own meanwhile when we go to these places that we are placing so much value on; they also hail us.

“I feel like people still haven’t given Ghanaian producers the second chance,” James Gardiner said.

Drawing a sharp contrast between Nigeria’s movie industry, James underscored the numbers, traction and support Nigerians give to their movie industry.

“Nigeria is way more advanced; I’m not even going to lie. Their numbers play a very huge role when it comes to the commercial side. There’s a business side of filmmaking not just the passion. If its for passion then you just do and not care what numbers you will get.

“But in Nigeria because they have the traction, once they use the right tools, the kind of money that they make from these films is so huge that they can afford the next two major projects,” he added.

He highlighted a number of measures to be undertaken by the NFA to streamline the movie industry.