Filmmaker Leila Djansi has asserted that foreign movies generate tax revenue to help the economic growth of the country more than the Ghanaian movie industry.
According to her, the country’s industry is not generating any funds to contribute to the tax revenue, hence does not need any government investments.
Speaking in a recent media interview, the filmmaker appealed to the government not to commit any funds into the industry until it has established proper structures for the movie industry.
“I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: If the Ghanaian government ever allocates funding to filmmakers before establishing proper industry structures, I will personally gather the struggling mothers from the Mothers’ Lodge at Korle Bu and lead a protest,” she declared.
She further challenged Ghanaian filmmakers to reflect on their contributions to the economy, questioning whether they pay social security (SSNIT) for their cast and crew, insure their equipment, or fulfil their tax obligations.
“Ghanaian filmmakers want government funding? For what? What film has generated significant revenue for the country?” she asked, adding that foreign films likely contribute more tax revenue than local productions.
Leila also criticized the lack of originality in Ghanaian storytelling, pointing out that local screens were dominated by remakes of foreign shows rather than authentic Ghanaian stories.
