Ghanaian actor Majid Michel has spoken out against persistent comparisons between Ghana's film industry, Ghallywood, and Nigeria's Nollywood. In an interview with Pulse Ghana on Y107.9 FM in Accra on 28 October 2026, Michel described the exercise as "stupid" and rooted in a basic failure to account for population size. He argued that Nigeria's much larger population gives it a natural numerical edge in producing filmmakers, doctors, and other professionals.
Michel used an analogy to drive home his point, likening the two nations to families of different sizes. "If you have 50 children and I have five children, the possibility that you will have more criminals, doctors, good children, and filmmakers than me is very high," he said. This, he believes, makes a straight comparison with Ghana unreasonable. Michel questioned why Ghana's output in any profession should be expected to match Nigeria's given the gap in population figures.
The actor pressed the point further, highlighting the mathematical certainty that a larger population will produce more individuals in various professions. "So how on earth would you compare? Why do they have more doctors than us? Mathematically, you should know why," he said. This perspective suggests that Ghana's film industry should be judged on its own terms, taking into account differences in population, resources, and infrastructure.
Michel widened the conversation beyond cinema, cautioning that Ghana and other African countries should be careful about measuring their progress against nations that have had far longer to build strong institutions. "It is also unfair for us to compare ourselves with any other established nation in the world. When it comes to leadership, we are adolescent," he said. This, he believes, is an often-overlooked factor in such debates.
The actor pointed to the length of time some countries have spent developing governance and institutional systems as a key factor often left out of such debates. "There are countries that have been in leadership for over 300 years. They have built systems. We are way behind. So it is an unfair comparison," he added. This perspective highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to comparing the progress of different nations.
The debate between Ghallywood and Nollywood has long centred on production volume, international visibility, investment levels, and the reach of actors and filmmakers from both countries. Nigeria's film industry has for years outpaced Ghana's in output and global recognition, a gap that has repeatedly fuelled discussion among industry players and fans. Michel's remarks suggest that he believes Ghana's film industry has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimately, Michel's comments highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the differences between Ghallywood and Nollywood. By taking into account factors such as population size, institutional maturity, and resource availability, industry stakeholders can have a more informed discussion about the relative merits of each industry. This approach can help to promote a more accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of Ghana's film industry.
Key points
- Ghanaian actor Majid Michel dismisses comparisons between Ghallywood and Nollywood.
- Michel attributes Nigeria's larger output to its bigger population.
- Michel cautions against comparing Ghana's progress to that of more established nations.
