Ghana films built our fame before Nollywood — Kofi Adjorlolo
Veteran Ghanaian actor Kofi Adjorlolo has sparked fresh debate in the African film industry with his assertion that Nollywood did not create the popularity of Ghanaian actors.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Adjorlolo emphasised that Ghana’s movie industry had already been thriving and producing stars long before Nigerian producers began collaborating with them.
“Though the Ghana movie industry may be having its own problems, it does not mean that Nigerians made us. Ghana films made Ghanaian actors,” he said.
According to the seasoned actor, local films and the talent of Ghanaian stars laid a solid foundation for international recognition.
He pointed to the early successes of Ghanaian productions and highlighted how actors such as Jackie Appiah, Van Vicker, Majid Michel, John Dumelo, Juliet Ibrahim, Nadia Buari and Yvonne Nelson became household names at home before breaking into Nollywood.
Mr Adjorlolo acknowledged the strong business acumen and determination of Nigerian filmmakers but insisted that Ghana deserves credit for nurturing talent capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with African counterparts.
“The Ghana movie industry and the movies produced made us popular before the Nigerian producers noticed and called us,” he reiterated.
The veteran actor also rejected the perception that Ghana’s film industry is in decline, arguing that actors and producers continue to work daily.
He identified promotion and marketing as the main weaknesses that require urgent attention.
“Ghana movie is not down. Actors are acting daily, producers are producing daily, work is ongoing daily. Rather, it is the promotion and marketing that is lacking, and we’ve got to fix that area,” the veteran actor added.
Mr Adjorlolo encouraged industry stakeholders to move beyond criticism and instead collaborate on solutions that can elevate the Ghanaian film industry.
