Ghallywood Or Fictitious-Wood??

Since my childhood the most hailed Ghanaian movie ever is "I told you so", a real epic film that has been hailed for many years. A very intriguing story line fused with pure Ghanaian comedy.

Till date it is unbeatably the most praised movie in the history of Ghana films but that leaves me with question of whether Ghana is leaving on past glories or just reminiscing the good old days.
Before you get ahead of me, Ghana has grown a lot in terms of film-making. Through the era of Nigerian influx of movies where our own were virtually non-existent to the arousal of local comedy from the likes of the prolific Mr Alexander Adu (Agya Koo), Rose Akua Attaa Mensah (Kyeiwaa), Joseph Osei (Wayoosi), Ebenezer Donkor (Katawire) and many others who brought back the delight in Ghanaians movies. In a short period the English side of Ghanaian movies was also revitalized with the presence of Majid Michel, Jackie Appiah, John Dumelo, Nadia Buari and the likes to keep Ghallywood on firmer grounds.
One would ask, what am I driving at??

Like an infuriated carpenter, I'm driving this nail into the skull of this issue with a huge mallet!! Why do we have so many fictitious movies in this industry to a point that it becomes so boring?? I point to a trend that has become characteristic of Ghanaian and Nigerian movies alike. Till today, "Troy" starred by Brad Pitt is one of my most favourite movies not because of its effects or fighting skills but because it brings to a closer realisation, the story of Achilles in Greek mythology. Troy is just one amongst many like "Robinhood", "Clash Of The Titans", "Romeo and Juliet" etc.

We have so much potential when it comes to true cultural and African stories that can be depicted in movies that would make us fond of our own culture. Instead, we waste so much on concepts that are so cliche. I'm not talking of an African myth or cultural story made based on comedy, but a real movie that seeks to bring folklore to life. Has any Ghanaian producer or director tried to make a movie out of the life of the nation's father, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah?? Or Yaa Asantewaa?? How about our struggle from colonialism?? Okomfo Anokye?? Or the Ancient Ghana Empire?? The least said, the better. 

I would take this opportunity to applaud the makers of the movie, "Somewhere in Africa" starring Majid Michel,Kofi
 Adjorlolo, Martha Ankomah, Eddie Nartey, David Dontoh and Roselyn Ngissah. I believe it is a very good attempt at the point I'm driving at.


Also the few film-makers who have tried this have been relegated to the background and are stuck with staging plays. We need this originality in our movies. We are tired of sex scenes being the main attraction when it comes to the sale of movies. We are growing, let us let our mistakes be eradicated before we become too old to change.





Your thoughts are welcomed.