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Kofi Asamoah, popularly known as Kofas, has explained why he believes Nigeria’s film industry is currently ahead of Ghana’s, pointing to stronger investments and better funding opportunities available to filmmakers in the West African country.
Speaking exclusively to GhanaWeekend on Wednesday, May 20, during the launch of the Film Development Fund by the National Film Authority (NFA) at Silverbird Cinemas, the filmmaker said Nigeria has made deliberate efforts over the years to strengthen its movie industry.
According to Kofas, he agrees with the view that Nigeria currently has an advantage over Ghana in filmmaking.
“I do agree that the Nigerians are ahead of us in terms of filmmaking because the Nigerians have made a conscious and very intentional effort in terms of government support to elevate their film industry,” he stated.
The award-winning director explained that one of the major differences between Ghana and Nigeria is the availability of financial support systems for filmmakers.
“And so in Nigeria, there are different types of funding available for filmmakers,” he added.
Kofas argued that the success of Nigeria’s movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, should not simply be attributed to the country’s large population, as many people often claim.
“Again, it’s not really fair to say that because of their numbers it is easy for them to make returns on the films that they make,” he explained.
While acknowledging that population size may contribute to a larger market audience, he insisted that access to funding remains the most important factor driving the growth of Nigeria’s film sector.
“And so when you compare Nigeria and Ghana, the difference, aside the numbers, is that there exist several funding opportunities,” he said.
The filmmaker further revealed that support structures in Nigeria extend beyond the central government and include state institutions, financial bodies and private sector organisations.
“Individual states in Nigeria have funding. Different governments have separate funding. Banks and public institutions have funding that filmmakers can access,” he stated.
Kofas’ comments came during the launch of the Film Development Fund by the National Film Authority, an initiative aimed at supporting filmmakers and helping to grow Ghana’s movie industry.
Many stakeholders within Ghana’s entertainment industry have long argued that inadequate funding remains one of the biggest challenges facing local filmmakers.
Over the years, concerns have also been raised about limited cinema infrastructure, poor distribution systems and insufficient government support for the creative arts sector in Ghana.
Kofas’ remarks have since sparked conversations online, with many people agreeing that stronger investments and structured support systems are necessary if Ghana’s movie industry is to compete more effectively on the international stage.
Others also praised the National Film Authority’s Film Development Fund initiative, describing it as a positive step towards improving film production and supporting creative talent in the country.
The discussion once again highlights the growing push for stronger policies, financing opportunities and institutional support to help elevate Ghana’s film industry to greater heights.
