Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker, Socrate Safo
Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker Socrate Safo has blamed sections of the media for contributing to the decline of the country's movie industry.
According to him, the negative commentary on local films and unnecessary comparisons to foreign movies discouraged audiences and investors, ultimately leading to its downfall.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM on July 15, 2026, Socrate Safo recalled a period when the Ghanaian film industry generated significant advertising and promotional revenue for media houses.
"There was a time the film industry helped the media make so much money in terms of adverts and promotions. I remember the number of friends in the media whom I was personally sorting out for writing promotional content and adlibs," he said.
I played a part in destroying Ghana’s movie industry - Socrate Safo confesses
According to him, the relationship deteriorated when some media personalities began publicly criticising Ghanaian films instead of promoting them.
"It was all good until the same media started running the films down by talking bad against the movies they were supposed to be promoting. They were saying things like, 'it's not nice and it's boring,' pushing away potential viewers and investors," he stated.
Socrate Safo recounted an incident at a television station in Accra where a presenter announced plans to compare Ghanaian movies with Nigerian productions.
"I had to go to them after the show to tell them that what they were doing was not good. They were damaging the industry," he said.
The filmmaker believes the persistent negative narrative eventually affected the industry's growth, leading to its current challenges.
"Eventually, we saw the effects. The movie industry has declined and the money that used to flow towards the media people has dried up.
"If they were actually promoting the movies, they would have gotten more money and it circulates. That is how industries grow," he added.
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