Pete Edochie to Mahama: ‘Don’t Let Ghana’s Film Industry Die’

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has appealed to the Ghanaian government to support efforts to revive the country’s struggling film industry.

Speaking in a video shared by TINA NEWS, the veteran actor expressed confidence that President John Dramani Mahama would be willing to support Ghanaian filmmakers if they presented a clear proposal and formally requested financial assistance.

“His Excellency sir, don’t let our industry die in Ghana. He will respond. He has heard me,” Pete Edochie pleaded.

He proposed that the government could provide funding to filmmakers to produce movies, with an arrangement for the money to be repaid after the projects are completed.

“I believe that if you make a direct appeal to him, ‘Support us, sir, challenge us with this amount of money, let’s go and shoot films, give us so and so time, we shall…’” he said.

Edochie stressed that the development of Ghana’s film industry should also be viewed within the broader context of African cinema, rather than being centred solely on Nigeria’s Nollywood.

The veteran actor also praised President Mahama for his efforts to engage members of the African diaspora.

According to Edochie, the initiative reflects Ghana’s willingness to welcome people of African descent who have faced discrimination and challenges elsewhere.

“The way he opened his arms to our brothers in America and all of the diaspora, ‘Come over here and settle down.’ People who have been victimised all these years, Ghana is here for you. I think he’s the first African president to do that,” he said.

Edochie said his admiration for President Mahama gives him confidence that the president could respond positively if stakeholders in Ghana’s film industry made a direct appeal for support.