By Ama Joycelyn Tseyiboe
Ghanaian actress and film producer Selassie Ibrahim has warned that the country’s film industry will remain stagnant unless its broken distribution system is urgently fixed, describing it as the single biggest barrier to growth. She made the remarks on GTV’s Breakfast Show on 11 December 2025.
Speaking on the show, Ibrahim said Ghanaian filmmakers continue to struggle not because of a lack of talent or compelling stories, but because they have no strong, reliable channels to bring their films to local or international audiences.
She explained that this distribution gap is why Ghanaian content struggles to compete with Nigerian productions, which benefit from a large domestic market and robust distribution networks that drive views, revenue and global visibility.
“Distribution is the killer of this industry,” she said. “We produce good stories, but where are we taking them? In Nigeria, ten producers may be shooting in the same hotel. Here, some of us shoot once a year because we have nowhere to send the content.”
Ibrahim also revealed that major streaming platforms have raised concerns. When she applied for a Netflix distribution license, she was told Ghana produces too little content and has low subscription numbers, factors that make it difficult for global companies to take the local industry seriously.
The challenge also affects funding. Many Ghanaian filmmakers with strong scripts are unable to secure financing because investors see no clear path for distribution and returns. As a result, they shoot with minimal budgets, limiting quality and their chances on the international stage.
To help close the gap, the Regional Film and Entertainment Festival of Africa (REFFA) has partnered with Rock Studios to fund Ghanaian-written scripts, while festival sessions this week include classes with Netflix-linked distributors teaching producers how to package content for global appeal.
Still, Ibrahim believes the industry’s future hinges on one key factor. “Until we fix our distribution channels, all the funding, all the training, and all the talent will continue to hit the same wall,” she said.
