Celebrated Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso has expressed disappointment over what she describes as a culture of criticism that overshadows achievement in the country’s creative space.
Speaking to Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, the multiple award-winning producer recounted a personal experience at the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), where instead of being celebrated for her win, public discourse fixated on her outfit.
“I remember when I won, what people wanted to talk about was my dress, because they said that my dress was so short and everybody else was wearing a gown. I remember someone commenting, saying Ghanaians, are you for real? The girl goes and wins an award, and the only thing that Ghanaians wanted to talk about was my dress and the fact that I didn’t wear a gown. Can you believe it?”
Her reflections cut to the heart of a broader issue: the tendency of the Ghanaian public and industry stakeholders to centre conversations on trivial matters rather than celebrating professional milestones.
Madam Frimpong-Manso believes this attitude is discouraging to many creatives striving for excellence on international platforms.
According to her, the lack of recognition is not just a matter of public commentary but a deeper issue within the Ghanaian creative ecosystem, where success stories are downplayed or ignored altogether.
“And now you are upset that nobody is winning anything. When we have won, what have we done? Even when we have been nominated, do we make enough noise about it?” she questioned, challenging both the media and the public to reassess their priorities.
Her remarks also carried a call to action for the creative industry to shift away from negative publicity and toward meaningful support and collaboration. She urged Ghanaians to champion their own talents with the same energy often reserved for international stars.
Madam Frimpong-Manso’s career, which includes directing acclaimed films and series across Africa, is widely regarded as instrumental in shaping modern Ghanaian cinema. Yet, her frustration highlights a painful truth many local creatives share: success at home often comes with silence, or worse, scorn.
