Are Ghanaian actors taking over Nollywood?

Ghanaian actors like Jackie Appiah, Van Vicker, Majid Michel, Yvonne Nelson, John Dumelo, Nadia Buari, Yvonne Okoro amongst others have become household names in Nollywood, and Nigeria has become more like home to them.

Is this a healthy development? Are the Ghanaians gradually taking over the Nigerian movie industry?

Saturday Vanguard spoke with some Nollywood stars on this issue and these are their opinions.

Nigerians prefer foreign things! - Actor – Bob Manuel

It’s a sad reflection of Nigeria’s craze for something foreign, even if it’s from smaller countries around us. Those countries don’t reciprocate in kind, so in the end, we become fools! We really need to sit up both as a nation and as an industry (Nollywood).

The Ghanaians are catching up fast – Bose Arowosegbe, Actress

The Ghanians are really catching up with us fast. They learned from Nigerians with very good producers, directors and good crew members who left Nollywood to Ghana. The competition got so high, but we will still continue to be the best in Africa.

They are still behind us. We are neighbours and they are equally good. A lot of good directors and producers are either from Nigeria or started from Nigeria, so they will sure want to have actors from both sides in the movies.

It’s nothing to worry about – Oma Iyasara, Actress

I think they are coming in with force, but it’s nothing to worry about. It happened before and trust me, it won’t last for long, it’s just for a while, I have nothing against them.

There shouldn’t be discrimination! - Mercy Aigbe, Actress

I don’t think the Ghanaian actors are taking over, I believe we are all one, be it Nigerian, Ghanaian or Kenyan, we are all actors. And as an actor, you can be featured in any type of movie, be it Hollywood, Bollywood or Nollywood movies, as long as you are good and the producer believes you can give him the best. There shouldn’t be any discrimination!

The industry is big enough for everyone - Belinda Effah, Actress

I don’t think so. The industry is big enough to accommodate everyone. It’s not a a problem, because I still get to play major roles alongside these Ghanaian actors.

We have Nigerians in Hollywood too! – Yvonne Jegede, Actress

How can they take over Nollywood? Nigerians love foreigners and accept them, but that doesn’t mean our birthright is washed off because of that. Nollywood is big enough to accommodate anybody.

It has brought about a healthy competition – Theresa Edem, Actress

This collaboration has helped the industry to grow. It’s easier for Nollywood to break into Ghana and Africa as a whole. Africans like partnership.

A united Africa sells any day, anytime. It’s been a great partnership so far. They’ve added colour to Nollywood and they’ve brought about healthy competition that has made the industry (Nollywood) to wake up.