Ghanaian actor Louis Lamis has attributed the inefficiency of creative guilds in Ghana to internal division and backbiting.
In an interview with GhanaWeb’s Joseph Henry Mensah on September 16, 2025, he stressed that while the guilds are important for protecting artists’ interests, they have not functioned well due to poor organisation.
According to Lamis, these guilds serve as the main platform where creatives can push for policies, lobby for better conditions, and collectively advocate for their rights.
However, he argued that internal conflicts among them have weakened their ability to represent members effectively.
“They are not unnecessary; we have not used them well. We have not organised ourselves well. We have so much backbiting and so many divisions among the various guilds. And that is why they have not been effective,” he said.
He suggested that restructuring and better coordination are needed to restore their capacity to serve the creative arts community.
“We can collapse them and rebuild them. But they have to exist. They are where the interest in the creative arts lies. They are where the interests of creatives are being fought for.
“They are where lobbying starts; if there is a policy we want to push, these associations push it on our behalf. So we don’t kill them completely, they are not done well, and we need to fix them,” he said.
His remarks came in response to comments by filmmaker Leila Djansi about the state of the creative arts guilds, where she said that the bodies have to be collapsed.
Background
On September 16, 2025, the Ghana Film Authority held its National Film Dialogue at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, under the theme “Accelerating Industry Development.”
The event attracted a broad mix of participants, including government officials such as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Yussif Issaka Jajah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, development partners, and professionals from across the creative arts ecosystem.
Discussions focused on innovative financing models, corporate partnerships, and enhancing global visibility for Ghanaian cinema.
Panel sessions featured industry leaders such as Ivan Quashigah (NFA Board Chair), Razak Abdulai (Chair, Film License and Accreditation Committee), and George Bosompim (Chair, Film Policy Committee).
Key topics included digital innovation, emerging film trends, financing mechanisms, and expanding distribution networks.
Organizers and stakeholders expressed optimism that the dialogue would be a catalyst for policy reforms, targeted investments, and collaborative efforts to unlock the full economic and cultural potential of Ghana’s film sector.
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