The creative industry needs structure not money

Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker Socrate Safo has stated that what Ghana’s creative industry needs most is proper structure, not just money.

He has argued that without well-established systems, the industry will continue to struggle for the recognition it deserves.

Speaking on GhanaWeb’s X Space on September 5, 2025, Socrate Safo noted that many creatives often misplace their priorities by focusing solely on financial support, rather than advocating for sustainable frameworks that can support their work in the long term.

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“I see the industry not properly positioned itself to be given the needed recognition or attention. That is what I see from my experience. You call creatives into a forum; they will all be talking about money. They say government should give us money, and you ask yourself, what are you going to do with that money? Leave the money side to people who must manage the money. You are a talent. But we always call, emulation will go and ask for money too,” Socrate said.

He explained that the constant demand for money makes the industry look unorganized. In his view, filmmakers, actors, and producers all end up making the same complaints about finances, which sends the wrong signal about the industry’s priorities.

“We don’t know what we are about. As a filmmaker, we go to places and you see actors also crying for money. Producers are also crying for money. I should give money to the actors to do what?” he questioned.

Socrate Safo further urged creatives to move the conversation when they meet stakeholders, insisting that the focus should be on building systems that can support the industry instead of asking for financial assistance.

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“So, we always look disorganised. When we get to certain places, the conversation should be more of a structure. We need to build the structure of the industry first. But that is not what we are looking at,” he said.

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AK/EB