Filmmaker and director Socrate Safo has openly admitted that he played a part in the struggles facing Ghana’s movie industry, describing past decisions by industry players as driven by “ignorance” and sustained today by “stupidity.”
Safo made the remarks during a press review of Virgin of the Throne, a new film by Frank Rajah Arase, held at the Silverbird Cinemas Accra Mall on Tuesday, March 24.
“I know what we did, and I know what we have to undo, and it will take just 24 hours,” Safo stated, suggesting that the industry’s challenges are not insurmountable if stakeholders take decisive action.
In a moment of reflection, he acknowledged his own involvement in decisions that contributed to the industry’s decline.
“My brother, I was part of it. Most of the things we did were out of ignorance,” he said. “But where we are now is because of our stupidity. Ignorance made us do those things, but stupidity is what is making us repeat them today.”
Safo’s candid remarks shed light on long-standing concerns about the direction of Ghana’s film industry, which has struggled in recent years with reduced output, limited funding, and competition from foreign content.
He also hinted at internal disagreements and missed opportunities that may have contributed to the downturn, though he did not go into full detail.
Despite the strong language, Safo’s comments appeared to be a call for introspection and reform within the industry. His assertion that solutions could be implemented quickly suggests a belief that the necessary knowledge and tools for revival already exist.
The event, which brought together filmmakers, actors, and industry stakeholders, served as both a platform to promote Virgin of the Throne and a moment of reflection on the broader challenges facing Ghanaian cinema.
