Ghanaian filmmaker Beverly Afaglo has compared Ghana’s entertainment sector to that of Nigeria's in terms of financial support.

In an interview on Joy FM on November 12, 2025, the award-winning actress lamented that institutions like banks are hesitant to support the country’s movie industry, but the situation is entirely different if Nigerians are involved.

“Banks are supporting, companies are supporting the business. In Ghana, banks don’t support anything. Even events that are for awards and stuff to recognise hard work, banks are not ready to support these events, how much more a movie,” she stated

Adding that Nigerian banks and private companies actively sponsor and finance creative projects

“Nigerians are daring. They don’t mind putting x amount in the business, provided you’ve assured them that they will get their money back. They don’t care how long; they’re patient. This is what I want too, I will wait and get it back,” she said.

Meanwhile, celebrated British actor and producer, Idris Elba, made a significant contribution to the future of African filmmaking by donating $25,000 to the University of Media Arts and Communication-Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) in Accra.

The generous donation, announced during a courtesy visit to the university on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, is aimed at addressing the institution’s infrastructure challenges and advancing its mission to nurture the next generation of filmmakers.

Elba, known for his acclaimed roles in films such as Luther and Beasts of No Nation, expressed his deep passion for the creative industry, particularly for emerging filmmakers in Africa.

His visit to UniMAC-IFT was part of an effort to foster collaboration and support African film education.

He emphasized that Africa’s film industry holds immense potential to become a global storytelling powerhouse with the right partnerships and investments.

The $25,000 donation, made through Elba’s Elba Hope Foundation, will be directed specifically towards infrastructure development at the university.

The funds are expected to help improve facilities and provide students with the resources they need to develop their skills and pursue successful careers in the film and television industry.

During the visit, Elba met with the university’s management and staff, including the rector, Professor Samuel Manasseh Yirenkyi.

The discussion centered on the university's accomplishments, its challenges, and the potential impact of collaborations with key figures in the global film industry.

Elba also shared his vision for an upcoming studio project designed to offer world-class training opportunities to students from around the globe.

The rector of UniMAC-IFT, visibly moved by Elba’s gesture, expressed his heartfelt gratitude, stating that the donation would make a lasting impact on the university's growth.

He noted that this contribution would allow the institution to enhance its capacity to train and equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the competitive global film industry.

Elba’s visit to UniMAC-IFT has not only inspired hope within the institution but also reinforced the importance of international collaborations in strengthening Africa’s creative industries.

As the rain slowed to a gentle drizzle outside, the promise of progress and empowerment for African filmmakers seemed to be a reality that could now be within reach.

Elba’s commitment to African film education and his dedication to helping aspiring filmmakers serves as a beacon of hope, lighting the way for the next generation of creative talent.

His $25,000 donation is a step toward realizing the full potential of Africa’s vibrant and growing film industry.

Renowned Ghanaian filmmaker and comedian, Kwaku Simtim-Misa, widely known as KSM, has offered a candid assessment of Ghana's movie industry, stressing that it cannot yet be compared to the Nigerian film industry in terms of growth, structure, and contribution.

Speaking on The Career Trail program on Joy Learning TV and Joy News, KSM said that while Ghana is blessed with talented filmmakers and promising content, the absence of a sustainable and efficient system continues to hinder the industry's growth.

“Unfortunately, it is still a growing industry. We can’t compare the film industry in Ghana to that of Nigeria. The Nigerians have had a longer time of being exposed to making films. And the more they make them, the better they get. The more they produce, the more they devise ways of distributing them. Eventually, you realize you’ve developed a system that works for you,” KSM stated.

On the other hand, he said Ghana's film industry is still trying to find its feet.

Most filmmakers struggle to raise money at every stage, from writing the story, shooting the film, paying actors, to finally getting the movie out there for people to watch. “Somebody will hustle to make money, then hustle to pay for the film. And after paying for the film, the actors, and everyone else involved, they now have to hustle again just to distribute the film. There are no proper distribution outlets,” he lamented.

Ghana's film industry, once vibrant in the CD/DVD era, now struggles with structure, funding, and proper distribution.

Unlike Nigeria's Nollywood, which has grown into a globally recognized industry through consistent production, strong distribution networks, and digital platforms, Ghana's sector remains largely informal.

Filmmakers often self-fund and face hurdles getting their movies widely seen.

While a few initiatives and talented individuals are pushing forward, veteran filmmaker KSM says the lack of a solid system continues to limit growth and makes it difficult to compare Ghana's industry with Nigeria.