Ghana’s movie industry has produced numerous films blending tradition and modern storytelling.
Over the years, the industry has evolved, with several films standing out for their influence, quality, and cultural significance.
Here is a list of some of the best Ghanaian films released after 2010, selected based on their global appeal and cultural relevance.
Ties That Bind (2011)
‘Ties That Bind’ tells the emotional story of three women, played by Kimberly Elise, Omotola Ekeinde, and Randall Batinkoff, who have each lost a child. As they renovate a dilapidated clinic in a village, they embark on a journey toward redemption.
The movie also features popular Ghanaian actor cum politician, John Dumelo.
It won nine awards, including ‘Best Feature Film’ at the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards.
The Destiny of Lesser Animals (2011)
‘The Destiny of Lesser Animals’ captures Inspector Koomsin, a police detective on a mission to reclaim something essential to his ultimate dream.
Haunted by his past, he navigates a world of crime and corruption.
The cast includes Fred Amugi, Abena Takyi, Edinam Atatsi, and Yao B. Nunoo.
Contract (2012)
Contract centres on a wealthy bachelor who wishes to have a child without marrying.
He hires a woman to be his surrogate, but as their arrangement develops, unexpected emotions complicate their relationship.
The film earned six nominations at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Writer, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Actress in a Leading Role. It also won Best Film and Best Writer at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Silver Rain (2015)
Directed by Juliet Asante, ‘Silver Rain’ tells the story of Adjoa, a ‘Kayayo’ street girl, and Bruce, heir to the Timothy fortune.
Their friendship ignites a class war as Adjoa fights to scale social barriers while Bruce embarks on a quest for self-discovery.
The film received nominations at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
The Cursed Ones (2015)
‘The Cursed Ones’ captures a disillusioned journalist and a young girl labelled a witch in a rural community.
While the community, mobilised by a corrupt pastor, turns the girl in to face the wrath of the people, the journalist battles to uncover the truth.
The film critiques superstition, religious exploitation, and hypocritical social structures.
It stars Oris Erhuero, Ama K. Abebrese, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Joseph Otsiman, David Dontoh, and Fred Nii Amugi. The movie received several awards, including the Jury Award for Human Rights and Social Commentary.
Children of the Mountain (2016)
‘Children of the Mountain’, directed by Priscilla Anany, captures a young mother named Essuman, whose son has cleft lip, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome. Abandoned by her husband and banished by her community, she embarks on a desperate quest to find a cure.
The film won first prize at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2016.
Keteke (2017)
Directed by Peter Sedufia, Keteke is a comedy-drama with focus on the 1980s. The story captures Atswei, a pregnant woman, and her husband, Boi, as they attempt to reach their hometown for the birth of their child.
When they miss the only train, they embark on a madcap journey filled with unexpected troubles.
The film was featured at various international film festivals, including Film Africa in the UK, the New York African Film Festival, and the Berlinale in Germany.
Azali (2018)
Azali, directed by Kwabena Gyansah, highlights the grim realities of child trafficking.
The film tells the story of Amina, a 14-year-old girl from Northern Ghana, who is sent away by her mother to escape an arranged marriage.
Instead, she falls into the hands of traffickers and ends up in the slums of Accra, where she struggles to survive.
The film was chosen as Ghana’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
The Burial of Kojo (2018)
Written and directed by Blitz Bazawule, ‘The Burial of Kojo’ is a poetic drama with elements of magical realism and Ghanaian-rooted storytelling.
The film centres on a girl named Esi, who reflects on her childhood and the tragedy surrounding her father, Kojo.
After Kojo is drawn into an illegal gold mine by his bloodthirsty brother, he disappears, and Esi navigates ‘dreams and reality’ to rescue him.
The film had its world premiere at the Urban Film Festival and went on to win Best Narrative Feature.
It became the first Ghanaian film to premiere on Netflix in selected countries worldwide.
Gold Coast Lounge (2019)
Gold Coast Lounge is a crime and drama film about a family trying to legitimise their business before the government shuts down their private lounge.
The film features actors like Cina Soul, Adjetey Anang, Zynnell Zuh, and Fred Amugi.
An afro-noir film and an award-winning directorial debut by Pascal Aka, Gold Coast Lounge had its official release in December 2019 and won seven awards at the Ghana Movie Awards, including Best Feature Film.
The Perfect Picture: 10 Years Later (2019)
It is a 2019 Ghanaian film produced and directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso and Ken Attoh.
The movie is a sequel to the original film, ‘The Perfect Picture’, produced and written by Shirley Frimpong-Manso.
The original film was about three women pushing their thirties and making bold attempts to change their lives, but destiny had other plans for them.
In the sequel, the ladies are back, this time pushing their forties.
Even though they are older and wiser, they realise that now they are saddled with more issues, including their not-so-fairy-tale relationships.
This movie was nominated at the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs), and Gloria Sarfo won the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her role.
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