Veteran Nigerian actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has shared his insights on why Nigeria's film industry, Nollywood, has become more prosperous than Ghana's. According to Kanayo, the difficult apprenticeships that many Nigerian actors underwent helped build discipline and commitment within the industry. He made these comments while in Ghana to work on Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah LilWin's upcoming movie, A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu). The film has brought several established Nollywood actors to Ghana, including Patience Ozokwor, Mike Ezuruonye, Zubby Michael, and Destiny Etiko.
Kanayo O. Kanayo pointed out that some Ghanaian trainees left before completing their training, which he believes has hindered the growth of Ghana's film industry. He noted that Nigerians underwent apprenticeships under harsh circumstances but stayed to learn, whereas some Ghanaians learned the trade for a short period and left. This, according to Kanayo, has contributed to the disparity in the prosperity of the two industries. Kanayo's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the state of Ghana's film industry.
Another reason Kanayo attributed to Nollywood's growth is the willingness of wealthy individuals to invest in movie productions. He stated that there are more rich men in Nigeria than in Ghana, and they are more generous when it comes to financing films. Kanayo recalled how early Nigerian filmmakers often had to finance productions from their own pockets, even when they had very little money. This willingness to invest has enabled Nollywood to produce high-quality films that have gained international recognition.
Kanayo O. Kanayo also shared his experiences of making movies in the 1990s, when filmmakers had to go to extraordinary lengths to find resources. He recounted how they would stop cars and ask for permission to use them for filming, and how they would use people's houses as filming locations. Kanayo's comments offer a glimpse into the early days of Nollywood and the challenges that filmmakers faced.
The collaboration between Ghanaian and Nigerian film industries is not new, and Kanayo's visit to Ghana for LilWin's project is another example of this. The movie, A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu), is centered around the historic settlement built on stilts over the Amansuri wetland in Ghana's Western Region. The project aims to bring Ghanaian and Nigerian talent together and expose Ghanaian culture and tourism to a broader audience.
Kanayo's remarks have also sparked a response from some Ghanaian actors, who have expressed their opinions on the state of their industry. LilWin has also recently explained why he chose to work with more Nigerian actors on the project, saying some Nigerian actors respond more quickly to scripts and professional engagements than some Ghanaian actors. The debate about Ghana's movie industry is ongoing, with some calling for more support and investment in the sector.
Kanayo O. Kanayo's comments have provided another perspective on the state of Ghana's film industry, highlighting the need for more investment and commitment. He believes that Ghana has not finished learning from Nigeria's movie industry, despite having started producing its own films. As the film industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Ghana's film sector will respond to these comments and work towards growth and development.
Key points
- Kanayo O. Kanayo cites apprenticeship, commitment, and investment as reasons why Nollywood has surpassed Ghana's film industry.
- Kanayo believes that Ghanaian trainees who leave before completing their training have hindered the growth of Ghana's film industry.
- The collaboration between Ghanaian and Nigerian film industries continues, with Kanayo's visit to Ghana for LilWin's project being another example.
