Ghanaian actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur John Apea has opened up about his decision to step away from acting, citing the lack of a proper structure in the country’s movie industry as a major factor.

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Speaking in an interview on Konnected Minds Podcast, Apea revealed that although he had a deep passion for acting, the industry failed to provide the support system necessary for actors and filmmakers to thrive.

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“I left the space because I realized there was no structure in place. My plan was to find other places that had a structure in which I could thrive,” he explained.

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Apea, known for his roles in Home Sweet Home and Run Baby Run, recalled the struggles he faced despite working on successful projects. According to him, the absence of an organized system left many creatives without financial rewards, making it difficult to sustain a career in the industry.

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He recounted his experience with Run Baby Run, a film that won multiple awards but yielded no financial returns for him and the team.

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“After we completed Home Sweet Home, we produced a film called Run Baby Run, which was very successful and won numerous awards. There was a significant sponsor behind the Africa Movie Academy Awards who informed us that for both ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Best Director,’ each award would come with a substantial cash prize,” he disclosed.

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However, he said the promises made by sponsors never materialized, leaving them disappointed.

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Despite stepping away from acting, John Apea has successfully ventured into other fields, including business and diplomacy. He believes Ghana’s movie industry still has the potential to grow if the necessary structures are put in place to support creatives and ensure they benefit from their hard work.

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