Actor Yemi Blaq and Veteran Nollywood actor Alex Usifo
Veteran Nollywood actor Alex Usifo says the decline in collaboration between the Nigerian and Ghanaian movie industries is due to what he describes as an “attitudinal problem.”
The actor commented at a press conference in Accra, Ghana’s capital, ahead of the premiere of the blockbuster movie “I Bad,” scheduled for Friday, October 31, 2025, at Silverbird Cinemas.
Speaking to journalists during the media engagement, Usifo expressed concern over the dwindling cooperation between the two industries.
According to him, the decline stems largely from the attitude of stakeholders on both sides.
“It is an attitudinal problem. We actually started well together. I keep asking myself, I don’t know what has gone wrong. Whether it is political or not, we can all be one Africa. Movie-making has no boundary,” Usifo said.
Usifo emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration and assured that efforts are underway to restore the once-flourishing partnership.
He also encouraged Ghanaian stakeholders to match Nigeria’s momentum in the entertainment industry, warning that Nigeria is not slowing down anytime soon.
“If Nigeria and Ghana agree that we are one, this xenophobic approach to things will not survive,” he added.
Buttressing Usifo’s concern, fellow actor Yemi Blaq, who is also in Accra for the premiere, attributed the rift to an unhealthy sense of rivalry that has developed in recent times.
“Basically, I think we need to stop feeling like we have to compete. Beneath all the jokes, there’s a certain unhealthy competition that happens between Ghana and Nigeria. We are sister countries and have always been — until recently, when this thing crept in. Honestly, I don’t know how it started, but it’s nothing worth competing over,” Blaq said.
Blaq further pointed out that comparing markets is impractical due to Nigeria’s significantly larger population.
“The population in Nigeria alone is a superpower. The population here is like 10% of what we have. When it comes to marketing, there can never really be competition,” he added.
Reflecting on his fond experiences, Blaq recalled how his former Ghanaian mathematics teacher in Ondo State, Nigeria, greatly improved his academic performance, a memory he says symbolizes unity between the two countries.
He also expressed his desire to once again be affectionately called “Kwame” by his Ghanaian colleagues and hopes to visit Ghana more frequently to revive the bond.
Both actors concluded by expressing optimism that “I Bad” will contribute to renewed collaboration between the two industries while reigniting shared cultural appreciation on both sides.
Produced by Ghana-based Nigerian filmmaker Destiny Austine Omon in partnership with Akogun Multimedia, I BAD stands out among other productions of its kind due to the cross-border collaboration and has already generated strong reactions from stakeholders and film enthusiasts, despite controversy over its original title, Badagry.
The film features an impressive cast, including Jude Orhoha, Ghanaian-Nollywood actress Nana Yaa Agyare, and Nigerian-based Ghanaian actor Eric Afrifa.
