Veteran Ghanaian actor Fred Amugi feels that the abundance of foreign telenovelas that are shown on regional TV networks is eroding our culture.
In an interview with Daily Graphic, Mr.Fred Amugi stated that the influx of these soap operas would cause Ghanaian culture to deteriorate if something is not done.
“The constant showing of foreign telenovelas, even translated into local languages, undermines our own culture. It’s like showing an Indian actor speaking Twi and worshipping their goddess! This is not good for our future, especially our children. We need to stop loving cheap things and start valuing our own creativity,” he said.
Mr. Amugi claims that the reason foreign telenovelas are so successful in Ghana is because there is a lack of unity and collaboration in the industry, which makes it difficult to produce better movies that can compete on a continental level.
Read also:My father lashed me for rapping on live TV at age 15 – Eno Barony
“The film industry in Ghana needs unity. Right now, everyone is working alone because they’re afraid of being copied or stolen from. But the truth is, no matter how much we know, someone else always knows more. If we work in unity, we could make great films that showcase our different talents and perspectives,” he said.
Mr. Amugi’s worries on the appeal of foreign telenovelas on local TV are in line with the discussions and worries that many have about how globalization affects regional cultures.
Local cultures are disappearing as a result of the significant influence that global connectivity has had.
Because dubbing foreign content into local languages is a more straightforward, cost-effective, and profitable choice than paying for local content, there is a drop in the development of local content by many TV stations.
Additionally, this has encouraged the growth of international telenovelas on Ghanaian local TV networks.
