Veteran Ghanaian actor Nii Saka Brown has blamed poor production practices and declining professionalism for the struggles of Ghana’s once-thriving Kumawood movie industry.

The actor said some filmmakers gradually abandoned proper filmmaking processes, including the use of well-developed scripts and quality production techniques, which affected the reputation of the industry.

In an interview, Nii Saka Brown, recalled a movie production experience in Kumasi where he claimed actors were expected to create scenes themselves because the producer had no prepared script.

According to him, instead of focusing on meaningful storytelling, some producers demanded extended conversations and unnecessary exchanges from actors to increase the length of scenes.

“I went to Kumasi to shoot. When I got there, the guy said, ‘Give us more dialogues.’ He didn’t bring a script, so it was all about adding more dialogue. I told him, ‘I’ve finished talking.’ They want you to insult people, talk and talk, just too much talking. Somebody even said you can leave a scene, go and take a bath, come back, and they’ll still be on the same scene,” he said.

The actor further criticised the use of mobile phones and low-quality equipment for movie productions, describing such approaches as unacceptable for a professional industry. He argued that industry stakeholders failed to act when these practices became common, contributing to the decline of Ghanaian movies.

“You go on a set, they’re using a phone to shoot a movie and I say that is unprofessional. But the people at the top sat down, watched them do all that, and here we are,” Nii Saka Brown stated.

Nii Saka Brown also expressed disappointment that some filmmakers have moved away from prioritising the needs of movie audiences. He explained that many Ghanaians, including hardworking traders and market women, depend on films for entertainment and relaxation, and deserve productions that are creative, informative and enjoyable.

“We forgot about the consumers; we forgot about the people we are doing the thing for,” he added.

Kumawood, which became one of Ghana’s most popular film movements in the 2000s due to its Akan-language productions and homegrown storytelling, has faced challenges in recent years, including reduced patronage, competition from digital platforms and changing audience preferences.

The veteran actor believes a return to professionalism, better storytelling and improved production standards will be key to reviving Ghana’s movie industry.