Lack of support stifling Ghana’s film industry – James Gardiner
Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA), James Gardiner, has decried the lack of support for Ghana’s film industry, describing it as a major stumbling block to its growth and sustainability.
In an interview, Mr. Gardiner, who is also a well-known Ghanaian actor, offered a sobering reflection on the current state of the local film sector. He noted that despite the wealth of talent and potential in the industry, meaningful progress has consistently been undermined by insufficient investment and structural backing.
“Support is a huge issue. We don’t have that,” Mr. Gardiner stated, highlighting the widespread neglect the industry faces in areas ranging from financing and infrastructure to audience engagement.
He revealed that the National Film Authority is intensifying efforts to address these challenges, with a renewed focus on enhancing the quality of Ghanaian productions. He emphasized the need to create compelling, high-standard content that can rekindle public interest and pride in local cinema.
“We are in the realm of affairs to promote the kind of quality stuff that we know people will like to consume, so that it brings back that whole excitement about going to the cinema and watching Ghanaian-produced films,” he said.
According to Mr. Gardiner, restoring the film industry to its former glory is no small feat. Yet, he remains optimistic that with the right strategies and commitment, the NFA can steer the sector toward a sustainable renaissance.
“We know it is going to be a very hard battle, but it’s going to go a long way in restoring the way the industry used to be,” he added.
Over the past decade, Ghana’s film industry has faced numerous setbacks, including limited funding, piracy, lack of technical training, and the dominance of foreign content. Despite these issues, filmmakers and creatives continue to produce content, often at great personal cost and with little external support. Mr. Gardiner’s remarks have reignited conversations around the urgent need for policy reforms, private sector investment, and audience education to bolster the industry’s revival.
