Ghana seems to be a fertile ground for the distribution of Nigerian Video productions. Genuine concerns have been raised about the quality and content of such Films that have flooded the Ghanaian Market. This is against the backdrop that the Ghanaian movie industry is still in its infantile state. In the last couple of years, not only have Nigerian films been selling but they are dominating the local productions made in Ghana.
And as the viewing public puts it, Nigerian Films have heart-warming stories that grip you together with quality acting and excellent camera work.The Multi-billion Dollar question however is: Are Nigerians dumping their films on Ghana? Are we aware that some category of Nigerian films we are currently viewing here in Ghana could actually be uncertified and banned in their country of origin?
The Nigerian newspaper,” The Guardian”, once reported in an article headlined, “censors board bans sleazy movies”. The article said in part that “ locally packaged films with occultic themes were banned by the national films and censors board, to check the growing sleaze in video entertainment and the negative impact on society”.
The newspaper report said the decision was reached following the board’s review of past approvals, upon which it was discovered that films hitherto brought for registration,assessment, and classification revolved mostly around negative themes.
The concerns raised here in Ghana stem from the fact that producers and distributors of such films have been purely motivated by the excessive desire for profits Without due recognition for the moral and traditional development of the Ghanaian society.
A cross-section of Ghanaian artistes and producers on the other-hand see no problem with Nigerian films flooding the market because in their view, the competition is keen creating opportunities for Ghanaian producers to put their act together.
Speaking On the grounds for which films should be banned restricted into the country, many were quick to suggest that foreign films entering the country should be censored before allowed into the market.
From all indications the Ghana Censorship Board has a big task to streamline standards and classifications of both local and foreign Video productions especially those from Nigeria.
Source: GhanaWeb
