US-based Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi has identified what she describes as the ‘low barriers to entry in the acting profession,’ where anyone can become an actor by paying just GH₵35 to join the Actors Guild, without the necessary qualifications.
She made these claims while bemoaning what she termed as the lack of proper structures within the film industry.
“In Ghana, becoming an actor is as simple as paying GH₵35, which means anyone can claim the title without meeting professional standards. As a result, the country’s celebrated actors, those who actually earn money from their craft, often do not join the guild,” she stated in her opinion piece, titled “Fix Foundations Before Funding Ghana’s Film Industry,” published by myjoyonline.
To address this, she proposed stricter regulations, including mandatory professional credentials, experience, and contributions to the industry for guild membership.
“By enforcing standards that require professional credentials, experience, and contributions to the industry, the guild could establish itself as an authoritative body that truly represents and protects actors,” she wrote.
The filmmaker then called on the Ghana Actors’ Guild to offer tangible benefits such as health insurance, private hospital care, pension contributions, subsidised workshops, low-interest loans, and standardised pay scales to build a robust film industry.
Leila Djansi also expressed frustration with filmmakers’ constant pleas for financial support while questioning their contributions to the national economy.
“Ghanaian filmmakers want government funding? For what? What film has generated significant revenue for the country? Do filmmakers pay SSNIT for their cast and crew? Do they insure their equipment? Have they paid the audiovisual permit fees required by local assemblies? Can they provide receipts of taxes paid to the state?” she questioned.
She lamented the lack of authentic Ghanaian storytelling, noting that local screens are dominated by remakes of Indian soap operas and American TV series.
“How many truly Ghanaian stories have been told? Our screens are filled with remakes of Scandal, Indian soap operas, and American TV shows. We glorify mediocrity by paying homage to other people’s greatness instead of creating our own,” she added.
ID/EB
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