In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast, we journey through the remarkable evolution of Ghanaian cinema — from colonial screenings meant for British elites, to a post-independence cultural tool under Kwame Nkrumah, and eventually to a thriving independent video and digital film movement known as “Ghollywood.”

We spotlight the key eras, films, and voices that have shaped the industry: from The Boy Kumasenu and I Told You So, to Love Brewed in the African Pot, Keteke, and The Perfect Picture. Along the way, we meet legendary figures like Kwaw Ansah, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, King Ampaw, and Leila Djansi, and reflect on the institutions—from the Gold Coast Film Unit to NAFTI and the National Film Authority—that held the vision together.

🎬 You’ll learn about:

• The colonial roots of Ghanaian cinema (1920s–1950s)

• The nation-building film policy era (1960s–1970s)

• The rise of independent cinema and Ghollywood (1980s–present)

• The impact of key directors, producers, actors, and state institutions

• How Ghanaian cinema intersects with Nollywood and global platforms like Netflix

🎧 Perfect for listeners who love:

• African film and history

• Postcolonial and Pan-African storytelling

• Behind-the-scenes film industry insights

• Cultural policy, identity, and creative entrepreneurship

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🔗 Resources & References:

• Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture: https://www.motac.gov.gh/film

• “Love Brewed in the African Pot” Review: The Broken Cliché

• NAFTI: https://nafti.edu.gh

• Ghanaian cinema history via GhanaWeb, Wikipedia, and festival archives