Renowned filmmaker and Sparrow Productions CEO Shirley Frimpong‑Manso has again highlighted the persistent funding challenges facing Ghana’s movie industry. In a recent interview with Luv FM, she emphasized how difficult it is to secure the financing needed for quality films—often relying on personal savings or loans to bring projects to life.

“You need a lot of money for movie making, especially if you want to do something quality,” she said, adding that she often re-invests her own earnings just to stay afloat  .

Lack of Policy and Institutional Backing

Shirley traces the root of the problem to an absence of coordinated policy and infrastructure support from the government. She notes that despite occasional discussions and promises, little concrete action has followed .

According to Shirley, the broad availability of foreign content on Ghanaian platforms further sidelines local productions. It creates a saturated market where foreign films dominate consumer attention, making it even more difficult for homegrown filmmakers to survive  .

The Emotional Toll on Creators

Beyond logistical hurdles, the emotional strain of constant fundraising also affects creative output. At one point, Shirley considered leaving movie production altogether due to frustration over the lack of progress. Even so, she stayed in the industry because of her belief in its cultural value .

She encourages her peers to push forward, but warns that without institutional change, the industry may continue to regress .

🌟 Sparrow Station: A Beacon of Hope

Despite systemic challenges, Shirley continues to innovate. In March 2025, she launched Sparrow Station, a dedicated streaming channel on YouTube aimed at global audiences. Its first feature, For Love and Country, debuted at a launch event held at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra  .

This initiative demonstrates her pivot toward digital distribution as a strategic solution to bypass traditional funding and distribution blocks.

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Comparing Then and Now

Shirley also recalled a more dynamic period in Ghana’s film industry. She observed that during President Rawlings’ era, there was greater government and corporate engagement, which improved production quality and frequency  . However, this enthusiasm halted under subsequent administrations.

She asserts that despite Ghana’s early ’90s boom in local cinema—exemplified by thriving TV theatre and DVD markets—today’s industry still lacks a robust regulatory framework to protect and encourage growth .

A Call for Stakeholder Unity

Shirley believes the solution lies in strategic collaboration. Instead of relying on loose gatherings, she advocates for structured representation—with selected leaders across regional (English and Kumawood) sectors forming a board to push a shared agenda and enforce accountability  .

She stresses that government must initiate policy frameworks to help creatives access funding and compete fairly with foreign media.

🗝️ What’s Next?

• Passage and enforcement of a Film Industry Act
• Increased tax breaks or grants for local productions
• Greater media regulation to balance local and foreign content
• Continued expansion of platforms like Sparrow Station to reach global viewers