Renowned Ghanaian filmmaker Samuel Darko, popularly known as SamDakus, has ignited a fresh wave of debate within the creative space with a bold declaration: Ghana does not possess a true movie industry, but merely fragmented associations masquerading as one.
In a candid interview aired on June 14, 2025, on SeanCity TV, hosted by celebrated media personality Ruthy Mummy DeNelson, SamDakus delivered an unfiltered assessment of the Ghanaian film landscape. “There’s no movie industry in Ghana. What we have here are just mere associations. Nothing is structured, nothing is regulated,” he asserted unequivocally.
According to SamDakus, the so-called industry critically lacks a central, authoritative body to oversee, coordinate, and regulate operations across the entire film value chain—from production to distribution and exhibition. He specifically pointed out that groups such as the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) and the Actors Guild are simply fragmented bodies operating in silos, devoid of any overarching system or cohesive policy direction.
“An industry is built on structure, governance, funding systems, and standards. But in Ghana, all we see are informal groups with no unifying vision,” he added, emphasizing the disarray.
SamDakus’ hard-hitting comments emerge at a time when discussions about reviving and redefining the Ghanaian film ecosystem are gaining significant momentum. His critique is widely perceived as a wake-up call for stakeholders to transcend mere association politics and actively advocate for a comprehensive national film policy that can institutionalize and formalize the sector.
His provocative statement has since sparked widespread discussion across social media and within film circles, with creatives, critics, and fans alike weighing in on whether Ghana genuinely possesses an industry—or if it is merely a loose network of individuals striving to make a living through filmmaking.
By directly challenging the existing status quo, SamDakus has evidently touched a nerve, and in doing so, perhaps initiated a much-needed conversation about what it truly means to establish and sustain a viable film industry in Ghana.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
