Tough times here for Nigerian actors, producers in Ghana

Written by Duncan Friday, 09 July 2010

The integrity of Nigeria, the self-acclaimed giant of Africa and Nollywood has again been brought to question, as the authorities of the Ghana Movie Industry (Ghollywood) have imposed  a fee of $1,000, on any Nigerian actor or producer who

intends to work in that country. In a statement sent to the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Board of Trustees, the authorities of Ghana Movie Industry, said “henceforth, any Nigerian actor, participating in any of our productions will be compelled to pay $1,000, or risk losing the job.”

Nigerians thought it was a joke,  when earlier last month, one of Ghana’s most prominent producers, Alhaji Abdul Sallam Mumuni, announced that he would have nothing to do with Nigerian artistes again, describing them as not up to the task, until the recent imbroglio, following the arrest of a filmmaker, who was in Ghana to produce a film, with authorities asking for his permit to shoot or work in Ghana.

Before now, Nollywood and Ghollywood had both set up mutual agreement where both could operate without any hindrance from any quarter in both countries. Now, Ghanaians maintain that this development is to give ample opportunities to their local artistes, and thus, develop their movie and television industry, to an enviable height. They are of the opinion that Nigerians seem to be dominating the pace in their country, and they want to curb this before it gets out of hand.

In a telephone chat with Weekend Starter, President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Segun Arinze, said Nollywood is aware of the development, but taking its time to make a decision, as it would want to do everything possible withing the diplomatic channel in order to checkmate the hostile decisions of the Ghanaians. “We should not jump into conclusion,” he concluded.