Ghanaian filmmaker and creative Mawuko Kuadzi has called on the government to make deliberate efforts to invest in the country’s film industry, stressing its power in shaping national conversations and driving development.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM on March 24, 2026, Mawuko Kuadzi mentioned that the decline in film production is largely due to a growing demand for quality, which requires more time and resources.

“I think we are not producing a lot because now, everyone wants quality. If you want quality, you have to take your time and produce,” he said.

He emphasised that beyond entertainment, the film industry can be a powerful tool for national development if properly harnessed.

Drawing comparisons with the United States, he pointed out how the growth of America was significantly influenced by its film industry.

“The government needs to make a deliberate effort in terms of bringing the film industry up. America was built on Hollywood and if you see what America is today, they experimented with it through Hollywood,” he explained.

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Mawuko Kuadzi continued, “Before Obama became the president, they did it in a movie to see if America would accept a black man. That’s why I feel the gov’t has to make a deliberate effort with the film industry.”

According to him, Ghana can adopt a similar approach by using films to communicate policies and educate citizens on national initiatives, including the government’s proposed 24-hour economy.

“Even with the 24-hour economy, people don’t understand, so we use the film industry to show Ghanaians that this is what we are talking about. If there’s an agenda they want to set, they have to use the industry,” he stated.

Mawuko Kuadzi also highlighted how global conversations and movements, including LGBTQ issues, have been driven through storytelling in films, reinforcing the medium’s influence on public perception.

“The LGBTQ, they’ve done it through films, so anything we want to do, we can do it through films,” he noted.

Looking ahead, he stressed the need for a clear creative direction as Ghana approaches a major milestone.

“Ghana will be 70 next year. There needs to be an agenda and I know people have a script for Ghana at 70, so there must be a deliberate push,” he added.

FG/EB

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