Movie producer Ola Michael has called on the Film Classification Committee to enforce stricter regulations to curb the widespread use of strong language and insults in Ghanaian films. This plea comes in response to actor Agya Koo’s recent criticism of the prevalence of insults and explicit content in movies.
During an interview on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Ola Michael acknowledged the engrained use of insults in Ghanaian cinema but emphasized the need to address the excessive presence of such content. He highlighted that the culture of including numerous scenes featuring insults in films has created a scenario where movies are not appreciated unless they contain such content.
Ola Michael expressed concern that this trend has spilled over into real life, with individuals seeking to gain social media followers and audiences by creating content centered around insults or using them as a form of comedy. To combat this, he proposed that the Classification Committee should implement stricter measures such as instructing producers to reduce the use of strong language, removing certain scenes, assigning higher age ratings, and restricting the exhibition of movies in specific venues or time slots.
The movie producer explained that by enforcing these measures, producers would be compelled to be more mindful of the content they create, considering the impact on distribution and audience accessibility. He also encouraged filmmakers to focus on creating well-structured scripts that minimize ad-libbing, which often leads to the spontaneous use of insults for comedic effect.
This call for action by Ola Michael comes in the wake of Agya Koo’s concerns about the negative impact of graphic sex scenes and insults in Ghanaian movies on societal morals, especially among young viewers. Agya Koo has been vocal in advising filmmakers against such practices, warning that they could drive audiences towards foreign productions.
While some resistance has been encountered, Agya Koo expressed gratitude for the support received from filmmakers who share his concerns. The push for stricter regulations by industry insiders like Ola Michael and Agya Koo highlights the need to address the harmful effects of explicit content and insults in Ghanaian cinema.
