By Ishmeal 
Veteran Nigerian actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has shared his thoughts on why Nigeria’s film industry has grown into a more prosperous and commercially successful sector compared with Ghana’s movie industry.
The veteran actor pointed to differences in investment, training, commitment and access to wealthy individuals willing to put significant money into film production.
Kanayo made the comments while in Ghana to work on Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah LilWin’s upcoming movie, A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu).
According to the veteran actor, one of the major differences between the two countries is the willingness of wealthy individuals to invest heavily in entertainment and take financial risks on movie projects.
He argued that Nigeria has a larger pool of wealthy people who are prepared to support creative projects with substantial amounts of money, even when there is no immediate guarantee of returns.
“You need to understand there are more rich men in Nigeria than Ghana. More rich men who are more generous,” Kanayo said.
He explained that some wealthy Nigerians are willing to provide significant financial support to filmmakers because they understand the challenges involved in producing movies.
“More rich men who will lose $10,000, $20,000 dollars, and will say, hey, I know how it is, go ahead with the money,” he added.
According to him, the availability of investors who are willing to commit money to movie production has played an important role in the development of Nigeria’s film industry.
He suggested that Ghana faces challenges when it comes to finding individuals who are prepared to commit similar levels of funding to the film business.
“Ghana doesn’t have those who can commit money to trade,” he stated.
Kanayo speaks during Ghana visit
Kanayo’s comments came during his visit to Ghana, where he is working on LilWin’s upcoming production.
The collaboration has attracted attention because it brings together experienced personalities from the Nigerian and Ghanaian movie industries.
The veteran actor has enjoyed a long career in Nollywood and has become one of the most recognisable faces in Nigerian cinema.
His presence in Ghana also highlights the longstanding relationship between the Nigerian and Ghanaian entertainment industries.
Both countries have produced influential actors, filmmakers and musicians who have gained audiences across Africa and beyond.
However, the two film industries have developed at different speeds and under different economic conditions.
Investment remains a major issue
Film production requires significant financial resources.
From paying actors and crew members to securing locations, transportation, equipment, costumes, editing, marketing and distribution, producing a quality movie can be expensive.
Kanayo believes that access to capital is therefore critical to the growth of an industry.
For filmmakers, having investors who understand the business and are willing to take risks can make it easier to produce more ambitious projects.
Nigeria’s large population and entertainment market have also created opportunities for filmmakers to reach a huge domestic audience.
The Nigerian film industry has developed a strong commercial ecosystem involving producers, actors, marketers, distributors, streaming platforms and other businesses connected to entertainment.
Training and commitment
Beyond money, Kanayo also highlighted the importance of training and commitment.
A successful film industry requires professionals who understand acting, directing, cinematography, sound, editing, screenwriting, production management and other aspects of filmmaking.
Training helps creative professionals improve their skills and maintain standards that can make productions more competitive.
Commitment from actors, producers, investors and other industry stakeholders is also necessary to sustain the sector.
Kanayo’s comments have therefore opened up another conversation about what Ghana can do to strengthen its own movie industry.
Ghana’s film industry still has potential
Despite the concerns raised by Kanayo, Ghana has a long history of producing successful movies and talented actors.
The country has produced personalities who have built strong careers locally and internationally.
Ghanaian filmmakers have also continued to experiment with new forms of storytelling, digital distribution and collaborations with international partners.
The growing popularity of streaming platforms has created additional opportunities for African filmmakers to reach audiences outside their traditional markets.
However, sustainable investment remains important if Ghana’s film industry is to compete more strongly in the region and globally.
Kanayo’s comments have consequently sparked discussions about the need for greater private-sector investment, professional training and stronger structures within Ghana’s entertainment industry.
A conversation for the industry
The veteran actor’s assessment may generate different opinions among Ghanaian filmmakers and entertainment stakeholders.
While some may agree that funding is a major challenge, others may point to additional factors, including distribution, audience size, production quality, government support, piracy and changing consumer habits.
What remains clear is that the development of a strong film industry requires more than talented actors.
It requires investment, skilled professionals, good stories, modern production facilities, effective marketing and audiences willing to support locally produced content.
As Kanayo continues his collaboration with LilWin on A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu), his comments have brought renewed attention to the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria’s movie industries.
The debate over how Ghana can build a stronger and more financially sustainable film industry is likely to continue.