Ghanaian playwright Latif Abubakar has called on filmmakers to move beyond the usual stories centred on love, crime, and rituals.
According to him, the Ghanaian movie industry needs to throw a spotlight on Ghana’s cultural heritage.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Latif Abubakar said filmmakers must start telling stories that reflect the identity of Ghana.
He explained that the country has many cultural practices, festivals, and traditions that can be used to create impactful movies.
He pointed out examples such as the rites of passage practised in the Northern Region of Ghana and the many traditional festivals celebrated across the country.
According to him, these films will not just be beautiful to watch, but they will also have great educational value.
“We have a wealth of untapped stories rooted in our traditions, from Northern Ghana’s rites of passage to vibrant regional festivals. Imagine the visual richness and educational value these narratives could bring. They resonate not just with Ghana, but with universal themes of humanity and pride,” he stated.
Latif Abubakar explained that filmmakers should not fear that cultural stories will not sell, he believes that if these stories are well-written and properly produced, they can be just as successful as love or crime stories.
“Well-crafted cultural narratives can achieve commercial success while making a social impact,” he stated.
According to the playwright, the problem is not that these cultural stories are boring, it is that they are not being told at all, or are only added as a minor part of a film.
“It’s time we stopped treating culture as an afterthought in filmmaking. The global audience is craving authentic African stories. Why should Nigeria or South Africa lead the charge when Ghana has equally compelling narratives? It starts with us, with our storytellers making a deliberate shift,” he stressed.
The playwright also encouraged filmmakers to work together rather than compete. He said collaboration is key to the growth of the creative industry.
“Collaboration is strength, not weakness. When creatives unite, we achieve more, whether pooling technical skills, expanding audiences or attracting funding. A competitive mindset is what holds many back,” he advised.
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