Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong Manso has raised concerns about the lack of attention given to local films compared to foreign productions.

In an interview on Hitz FM, Shirley questioned why movies like Tyler Perry’s new release Straw are getting so much attention on Ghanaian social media, while local films, including her own, often go unnoticed.

“Recently, I saw something that was going around. I think Tyler Perry released a film called Straw, and then there has been so much talk about it on social media pages, but I don’t remember getting this kind of attention when I’ve released a film, so it’s not balancing,” she said.

She added that Ghanaian movie producers have produced films that address important topics, yet they do not get the same level of discussion or hype online.

“Why are we talking about Tyler Perry’s movie when we could easily have that same attention come to a Shirley Frimpong Manso movie? We have put films out there that critically examine a lot of things,” she stated.

When asked whether the Ghanaian film industry is dead, Shirley replied that it is not, but there is more that can be done to support it. She pointed out that both the media and private companies have a role to play.

“It’s not dead, we can do much better. And I don’t think it only lies with the government, I believe the private sector and the media can help,” she said.

Shirley Frimpong Manso is known for producing movies including For Love and Country, Adams Apples, Potomanto, and Perfect Picture. She is now preparing for her first stage play, which will run from June 20 to June 22, 2025, at the National Theatre.