Ghallywood/Ghollywood and Kumawood are the two main movie industries in Ghana at the moment. One cannot disprove the fact that producers within these two industries are doing well. In the course of time, some experienced producers churn out movies that are well structured and interesting to watch.  At other times, some of these movies are just as bad as garbage.

There seems to be a clear-cut distinction between these two movie industries. While Ghollywood pays much attention to love, Kumawood on the other hand focuses mainly on comedy. It becomes mundane when a particular approach is used over and over again without employing new techniques.

Ghollywood is Synonymous With ‘Love’

A critical observation of Ghollywood movies will draw ones attention to nothing but love. Over countless movies that I have watched from this industry all focus on love, or better still romance. Romantic movies often place emphasis on passion, emotion, and the affection two lovers (mainly the main characters) display to each other. Just like in our everyday love life that one goes through dating, courtship, and marries in the end, so it is with love movies.

Take time and watch most Ghollywood movies for yourself. Almost, if not all, fall into the category of romance. The ever one-way of telling such stories in movies is increasing rapidly. If a person does not fight another person because the first has snatched the lover, then it’s probably going to be a family opposing the marriage of two lovers. Without doubt, Ghollywood film-makers have proven to be love experts. Take them to that field, and they will surely beat you to that.

Kumawood and Its Obsession for Comedy

Let’s direct our attention to the ‘almighty’ Kumawood. How can you possibly watch a Kumawood movie and not laugh? The titles of the movies themselves can make you laugh your heart out. One movie title in itself is a complete sentence, if not a paragraph.

Pioneers of the Akan-speaking movies like Agya Koo are people who started their careers as comedians. The act of creating humour was however utilized in their movies. This course has repetitively gone up till this day. With the introduction of some acts like Kwaku Manu and Lil Win, production of comic movies has increased tremendously.

Should it be the case that every movie from the camp of Kumawood be funny? Well, much more needs to be done. In as much as laughter is beneficial, we need to remind ourselves of the important things we can learn from movies as well.

The Way Forward

Are there not other ways to tell stories than the use of romance and comedy all the time? I am pretty sure there are. Our movie industries (Ghollywood and Kumawood) have come a long way, hence, the need to improve. We can’t be watching love and comic movies all the time. It would have even been better if there were variations, other than the one-way approaches used. One can begin to watch a Ghollywood or Kumawood movie and trust me, that fellow can predict the outcome with ease.

I am looking forward to a day where Ghanaian film-makers will take up the challenge and produce Adventure, Sci-Fi, Action, Horror, Animation, and Crime related movies, other than their usual Romantic and Comedy movies.

Where are the actors and actresses who are going to cast in Adventure and Action movies, should film-makers decide to try their hands on them? Yvonne Nelson, Majid Michel, Nadia Buari, Agya Koo, Mercy Asiedu, Katawere or who? This also points to the fact that our actors and actresses should be versatile enough to take up every challenge.