Nigeria’s audience is more appealing – Chris Attoh on why he left Ghana movie industry

Renowned Ghanaian actor Chris Attoh has shed light on his decision to focus more on the Nigerian film industry, citing the vast market audience and numerous collaboration opportunities it offers.

Attoh explained that his move to the Nigerian film industry was driven by the need for a broader market and a larger audience.

While acknowledging the greatness of the Ghanaian film industry, he emphasised the inherent limitations due to its comparatively smaller size.

“At the time, the necessity was that you had to be in the Nigerian space if you wanted a bigger market or a bigger audience. Ghana was great, but the truth is Ghana is small, and if you are trying to get the attention of players beyond Ghana, not just Nigeria, you have to expand,” Attoh expressed during the interview.

The actor commended Nigeria’s vibrant film industry, highlighting the continuous production of films and the potential for collaborations. “Nigeria has numbers, Nigeria is making films every single day. I’m always looking forward to where we are collaborating instead of being separated,” he added.

However, Attoh didn’t shy away from addressing challenges in the Ghanaian movie industry, particularly the lack of mentorship and guidance. He believes this void has contributed to the industry’s current problems.

“I don’t think it is a matter of not wanting to push ourselves growing up. We didn’t have the right mentors, we did not have the people who brought us up and would take your hands and say this is the way. And it’s become a thing that’s heavy on my heart,” Attoh lamented.

Underscoring the importance of continuous learning, Chris Attoh shared his personal experience of overcoming challenges in the Nigerian film industry.

He emphasised the need for actors to constantly update their skills, rehearse regularly, and expand their knowledge base.

“It’s like any other industry. It’s growing, it’s updating, and you need to constantly learn. It means every single morning you have to rehearse, it means reading outside your scope, and reading is one thing I keep pushing for, especially to our youth today,” he stated.

Chris Attoh, known for his roles in global productions like ‘Shuga,’ “Single and Married,” and “Inspector Bediako,” continues to advocate for collaboration and the importance of mentorship in the African film industry.